What causes paint bubbles, bumps, etc. in a new paint job?

Question

See my last question regarding this.   I received my car back with paint bubbles above the paint job, bumps in the paint and air bubbles in it.  To see the air bubbles, it has to be in part shade and catch the light just right.  

I sent it back and when I went to get it back, someone else had come back for their car and they had issues with the quality or lack there of of the job.

In total, I've sent it back three times.  First when they finished it originally and they touched it up. Second when I got it home and opened the passenger side door and it looked like they had painted over a wad of chewing gum.  Was it bondo or welding?    Third when they said it was ready and there were still bumps in the hood.   That last time I spoke with the owner.

Part of it I feel that they painted over rust on replacement parts.    But what would cause air bubbles within the clear coat?  And what would cause bumps above the paint job?   The owner says it's the clear coat and it's really hard to do that without air bubbles or bumps.

They had a list of what to repair and forgot to take it from the car.  The bottom three items weren't checked off.

I think taking it back again will result in removing more of the clear coat which makes the paint job less durable.  And, basically, how many times can one send back the soup before the waiter spits in it.  That's my concern as I'm seeing scratches in the other parts of the car that I had never noticed before.

tike · Accepted Answer

Poor prep, dust particles getting caught in the spray stream, dust blowing into the work area for spraying, work area too hot or too cold, badly maintained and cleaned equipment and mixing area, cheap and mucky paint and clear coat.
these are some of the reasons for the same problems you have.
ALL are the fault of the shop and the whole paint job needs to be re-started.
take a lot of pictures of all areas of your car, to make sure no other damage is done by the staff.
and if there is, you have proof

? · Answer

Painted Bumps

Anonymous · Answer

Your bad paint job is the result of the surface not being prepared properly.  This includes all rust
removal down to the metal.  Then the primer coat which must be applied properly in a smooth
and free flowing manner with no blockages in the equipment  that is used. and then the final coat.
Any bondo or welding should have been smoothed to create a smooth surface and then painted.

Anonymous · Answer

I agree with what has been said poor preparation & workmanship and it will have to be re-prepped and redone. You should write a letter detailing your complaint rather than speaking to the owner, dated and as 'official looking' as you can. This then indicates you are willing to take your complaint to the next level and making a log of communications which is essential if taking legal action. The owner will realise this so it may concentrate the owners attention on getting your issues resolved (it appears they are fobbing you off at the moment hoping you'll give up).
best of luck

Daniel Carter · Answer

Spraying in high humidity,the paint will collect moisture before it hits the surface, Applying in too high a temperature can cause solvent blistering, often made worse by over thinning the paint and putting too much material on, in an attempt maintain a wet film. The use of slow thinners can help here.

Anonymous · Answer

These problems are caused by the old paint-job - it's a "reaction" to the contaminants below.  The best option is always to bare-metal the car, and failing that, rub down to original primer, and paint on that.  They may have used a primer that reacts with the new paint.

   I never use clear-coat on paint (we call it laquer in the UK) as if the paint fades below it, you have to remove the clear-coat to deal with it, rather than use a cutting-polish every 2 or three years and machine-mop it to make it gleam.  I've also seen laquer peel - it's happenning on my red Alfa-Romeo.  :-((

You used the wrong shop.  Ask for a refund, and if you don't get one, CAMP OUTSIDE THEIR PLACE, showing every customer who approaches their shoddy work, and scare them away.

? · Answer

Good answer from Bluto B but also send the bill to the original place that messed the job up first time

Anonymous · Answer

Poor prep work and it's too late now. It'll have to be done again from the go. Use another shop for best result.

keerok · Answer

Stop going back to the same shop and just pay a better shop to remedy the problems of the first. It may cost more but you'll get more satisfaction.

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What causes paint bubbles, bumps, etc. in a new paint job?

9 Answers