Distorted reflection in paint

**uncandid** · 07-10-2012, 02:31 PM

Hi Everyone,

I recently got my hood and front bumper repainted on a black Lexus. There was no previous damage just a ton of rock chips that really bothered me. Long story short, the bumper looks great and the reflection is very clear but on the hood it looks a bit hazy and in some spots the reflection looks a bit distorted, especially when look at it from an angle from the driverâ€™s seat. For example when you look at the other panels and you look at your facial features, itâ€™s clear as a mirror, but the hood is a bit blurry and kind of wavy at some points (like a funny mirror but not as severe) The body shop left a ton of swirls when they tried to buff it before I picked it up (looks like rotary marks) but I don`t know if this would cause this type of distortion. Itâ€™s not orange peel either. I`m not allowed to post pics yet but would anyone have any idea if this is just a bad paint job or the effect of a poor buffing job? Would it need a respray or should I try my griots and some ultimate compound or 205 after 30 days? Does it improve after the 30 day curing time? Any ideas would be appreciated as its driving me crazy. Thanks

**C. Charles Hahn** · 07-10-2012, 02:55 PM

Having no pictures or not being able to see the panel it`s hard to say, but it sounds like it could be fish-eyes, improper prep of the filler leaving a high and/or low spot, etc. to make the sort of distortion you`re describing. The haziness probably is due to an improper compound/polish, or it could be die-back.

That`s all pure speculation without pictures or something to go on though.

**Nth Degree** · 07-10-2012, 02:57 PM

My first thoughts are 1) orange peel, but since you say that`s not it, 2) body panel not straight. It is hard to guess without actually seeing it and the amount of distortion. I find quite often that after detailing a car the tiny defects like small dents and dings stand out much more. The eye is naturally drawn to the tiny differences. Is it possible that this is the case?

**Dan** · 07-10-2012, 03:17 PM

Without seeing pix, I agree with Nth on option #2. Also reflections aren`t prefectly clear on larger panels as well. Might be time to take a pic of your reflection on your car vs another of the same make.

**uncandid** · 07-10-2012, 04:06 PM

Thanks for the responses even though i have no pics. Its actually really hard to capture the distortion. You notice it more when you look at the hood while your walking by, its like subtle ripples in the paint, much like your reflection you would see water but to a lesser degree. Sorry for the lame description

**C. Charles Hahn** · 07-10-2012, 04:13 PM

Do the ripples look like they`re about the width of a finger? Or are we talking something larger or smaller than that?

**uncandid** · 07-10-2012, 04:32 PM

Yes, just about the width of a finger, like small waves in the reflection

**C. Charles Hahn** · 07-10-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by uncandid

Yes, just about the width of a finger, like small waves in the reflection

It`s hard to say whether the waves are under the paint or over it, but it sounds like whoever did either the blocking before paint or wet sanding afterward may have done some straight line sanding without a proper sanding block. Those type of pressure marks can show up as ripples in the finish.

Call it a hunch (and again, pure speculation) but it`s something to look into depending on how large of an area is affected. IF you`re lucky and it happened during their wet sanding, it may be able to be fixed by wet sanding the areas again with a proper block and buffing it back out properly.

**uncandid** · 07-10-2012, 05:51 PM

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Hopefully it is on the surface and it can be wetsanded. I was going to try to run some m105 or d300 with mf pads to see if it would improve any, but do you think thats pointless at this point?

**C. Charles Hahn** · 07-10-2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by uncandid

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Hopefully it is on the surface and it can be wetsanded. I was going to try to run some m105 or d300 with mf pads to see if it would improve any, but do you think thats pointless at this point?

I would take it back to the body shop and see what they have to say first.... but I wouldn`t necessarily let them try to "fix" it unless they agree to re-do the paint job if they mess it up further.

**Ron Ketcham** · 07-10-2012, 08:15 PM

I am with you Charlie!

No way to offer some professional, long time learned experience, without a more complete set of information, photo`s, etc.

Grumpy

**uncandid** · 07-10-2012, 08:58 PM

Thanks Charlie, Ill take it back and see what happens.

Sorry Ron, tried to be as concise as possible without the ability to post pics.

**Katherinejjm** · 07-10-2012, 11:12 PM

That`s all pure speculation without pictures or something to go on though.

**uncandid** · 07-11-2012, 10:58 AM

Hi,

I took some pics and even a short video clip to host online to share with you guys but its really hard to see it on either picture or video. its just looks fine and everyone would think im crazy or need a new prescription.:tongue: Thanks for all your input guys

**Nth Degree** · 07-11-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by uncandid

Hi,

I took some pics and even a short video clip to host online to share with you guys but its really hard to see it on either picture or video. its just looks fine and everyone would think im crazy or need a new prescription.:tongue: Thanks for all your input guys

Not at all. There are a lot of paint issues that are nearly impossible to catch with a camera. ::secretAs for a new prescription, I think the majority of us on this site need a new one, and not for glasses.