How to Identify a Bad Auto Paint Job

Being able to spot a bad auto body paint job is essential to ensure you’re getting the quality service you paid for. Not all auto body repair shops offer the same level of service, so taking your time to compare options and ask for recommendations can help you find an auto repair shop that will provide you with the best quality.

Whether you got a touch-up done for specific damages, matched new parts to the old colour, or just wanted to change the appearance, you should inspect the paint job immediately after it’s finished. This will allow you to spot any issues immediately and take advantage of a shop’s warranty. 

Some signs of a bad paint job can be easy to spot, while some can be more subtle and harder to notice. You don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a paint job just for it to start peeling soon after. We’ve gathered some of the most common signs of a bad auto body paint job so you know what to look for after the service is completed.

Common Signs of a Poor Car Paint Job

You may not know exactly what to look for when it comes time to inspect your car’s paint job. Let’s explore some of the most common signs of poorly executed auto paintwork.

Mismatched Color

It takes a lot of time and effort to match a vehicle’s colours properly. Rushing through this process can result in different-coloured panels, blotches, stains, swirls, or light streaks.

If your vehicle appears cloudy over time, this can be an indication that condensation was built up during the painting process. Discoloration can also appear as stains that form over time, which are caused by contaminated products or if hardener is mixed incorrectly.

Sagging or Running Paint

Sagging or running paint is an issue that happens when an inexperienced painter rushes the job or incorrectly mixes the paint. It may appear subtle or could be very obvious, but regardless of how noticeable, your car will need to be repainted if you see any of these signs.

You also might see spots or raised marks that indicate overspraying. Overspray happens and is visible when the panels of the car aren’t masked off correctly, which shows that the important steps when painting were skipped entirely when completing your car’s paint job.

Bulges, Pits, or Uneven Sanding

You may spot uneven texture very easily, which could have happened due to the paint being sprayed too close to the surface, issues with the paint pressure, or the paint itself. The texture might resemble that of an orange peel or have a ripple or wave effect on the surface. Air that has been trapped under the paint can produce pinholes in the paint job and can easily be seen.

Professional Auto Body Paint By Caversham Coachworks

Aside from the listed issues, you may notice some other minor things after a paint job. Paint chipping or beginning to crack, lines starting to form, or peeling paint will likely make your paint job look shoddy.

You may notice some issues immediately, and others may require more careful examination. Still, if you aren’t sure of what the problem is, you can always take a photo or video to document it and send it to the auto body repair shop that completed the job. Solving the issue before it becomes a more significant issue that can cause further damage is essential.

Finding an auto body repair shop that gets your paint job done right the first time is essential. Returning your car to have your paint job fixed can take extra time you didn’t plan on. A professional auto body repair shop with expertise in car paint repairs will take its time and produce lasting, quality work.

At Caversham Coachworks, we provide a wide range of services and repairs to meet your needs. We offer services like alloy wheel refurbishment, cooling systems and air-conditioning maintenance, paintless dent removal, swift same-day repairs, steering component repairs, the use of genuine parts, and electrical system maintenance and refurbishment. We want you to get the most out of your vehicle and are here to help keep it looking flawless and safe for the long haul.

At our convenient locations in Caversham and Abingdon, we are here to help with traditional, modern, hybrid, and EV vehicles with our state-of-the-art equipment. Contact us today or use our free and easy estimator tool.