A warning on "paint wrinkle"!!!

RaskyR1

Rasky's Auto Detailing
This thread was created to warn others detailers, novice, experienced, and even the pros.







So I was working on a new Honda Element last Sunday, only very minor correction needed. The plan of attack was to use M205 via the Flex and a polishing pad. There was however a few RIDS that needed M105 and the rotary. The front of the car also had some sort of white over spray on it and since I had my rotary out I thought I’d try and remove what the clay had not. I was running my Makita on a speed of 2 with M105 and a PFW pad. I applied medium pressure and with in seconds the paint wrinkled!!!:eek:



Yes, even someone with 20 years experience running a rotary can mess up now and then…just sucks it happened to me.:sadpace:



I’m really kicking myself in the butt over this one because I had seen the warnings in threads before about this so called “paint wrinkle”, which can occur when polishing plastic bumpers with a rotary buffer. I honestly didn’t give it too much thought since I have been doing this for so long and have never had it happen to me before.



In talking with others it seems that the flex agent added to the paint for plastic pieces, makes them much more susceptible to paint wrinkle. I’d more inclined to say it’s more of a problem on the newer cars, since I’ve never had this happen before, but I really can’t say for sure…paint really has been changing a lot over the years as the EPA clamps down on auto manufacturers.







For those who are wondering, I dropped the vehicle off this morning to have the bumper cover repainted, and the owner should have it back sometime tomorrow. My father works for one of the elite body shops in the twin cities, so the car will definitely be in good hands. :bigups



I’d also like to say that the owner has been very understanding with this whole deal, which definitely makes things a little easier on me. I also feel better knowing I haven’t lost his business and that he still wants me to do his wife’s car and has also referred me to some others.



Pic of the paint wrinkle…

IMG_1266.jpg
 
That sucks, but we all learn from mistakes.



Its not just rotaries that cab do it. People have done it with their PC also
 
Dsoto87 said:
That sucks, but we all learn from mistakes.



Its not just rotaries that cab do it. People have done it with their PC also



Really? I had not heard of that.



Danase said:
I think it also has to do with how plastic will not dispurse heat like metal will.



That could very well be.
 
Been there done that. Luckily for me the spot was small enough to cover with touchup paint (my own car). Its amazing how fast things happen when you are in a hurry!
 
MotorCity said:
In hindsight, what would you have done differently?



Nothing really, I did the same thing I've always done...



Had I thought something like this could actually happen to me I would have left the over spray alone and just gone over the area with M205 via the Flex. The sad thing is that the owner didn't really care so much about the over spray and would have been fine if I hadn't gotten it off.



From now on I will be much more cautious on the bumpers. ;)
 
just consider a lesson learned, we all make mistakes every now & then. any power tool these days (yes, even a PC) can cause damage dependent on the user...
 
It totally looks like that section of the bumper was repaired before. Looks like some semi-thick plastic filler was used and it failed. Have your Dad lool into that because OEM paint film isn't that thick.
 
It totally looks like that section of the bumper was repaired before. Looks like some semi-thick plastic filler was used and it failed. Have your Dad lool into that because OEM paint film isn't that thick.



^What he said^



The bumper might have been replaced/refinished at some point. And the owner

might know. Regardless, having it repaired for him is the best thing to do.



Checking for repairs aren't always easy. And, especially with older vehicles,

it might be good to ask the owner. Or anytime.
 
MotorCity said:
In hindsight, what would you have done differently?



Throttle down the speed and lessen the pressure is about all you can do. Better to live with some minor swirling on the plastic bumpers than have to pay to repaint them.
 
Like that guy in the movie - The Graduate, one word...plastics - how I hate them. I rolled up the paint on a piece of trim on a beater, lucky for me there was so much paint missing on other parts of the car, the owner didn't even care. She was so happy I got the 10 pounds of cat fur out of the interior. Gotta love those crazy cat ladies!
 
Dang, Rasky, that just sucks... It doesn't even look like it's heat related damage to me. I'd be inclined to think that David Fermaani is on the right track; it looks like a case of the paint not bonding correctly.
 
Yeah, IMO that's definitely filler...that's not a "wrinkle", it's a crater! You say it's a new car, but it had "overspray" on it...new cars can have repairs, it can be done at the factory, or if it's below lemon-law dollar threshold, the dealer can screw it up on the lot and repair it and still sell it as new. I think here in NJ it's $1500, it used to be something like $5000, so a car could get pretty messed up and they would fix it and sell it as new.
 
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