Damage Identification

It is very important to determine the type(s) of damage the paint has been subjected to in order to select the correct repair method and materials. Doing so will minimize the time required to make the proper repair the first time.

Remember, one or more of the following types of damage can be found on a painted surface at one time.

Figure 1:

Alkaline spotting (Figure 1), is caused by alkaline rain or hard water from sources such as lawn sprinklers and cannot be removed by using soap and water.

Figure 2:

^ Industrial fallout (Figure 2) is the result of airborne iron particles falling on the vehicle that, over a period of time, can eat through the paint. The particles may be detected as a gritty or bumpy feeling on the surface of the clearcoat. On light colored vehicles, rust stains may appear and the particles may attract to a magnet.

Figure 3:

Chemical etching (Figure 3), or "acid rain", is the result of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides being released into the atmosphere and mixing with water and the ozone to create either sulfuric or nitric acid.
The typical acid rain damage may look like water droplets that have dried on the paint and caused discoloration. In some cases damage appears as a white ring with a clear dull center. Severe cases show pitting.

Discoloration may also vary depending on the color of the paint. Yellow finishes may appear as a white or brown spot. Medium blue may have a whitening spot. White may discolor to pink and medium red appears purple.

Restoration of chemical etching may be difficult. However, the procedure varies with the degree of damage encountered. The degree of damage can be determined by testing on a two-foot square area of the damaged panel.