General Paint and Sharnbrook

[RightGuard]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to do a quick post to catch up. I have only recently been posting again on the forum after a quite a few months.

The B hasn't really changed much, just the odd thing here and there needs doing. I have committed myself to getting lots of bodywork done over the summer, so it can really get the attention it deserves.

I just wanted to ask about the paint. Mine is yellow, and I have always thought that the paint is a little dull on some panels, particularly the front and the doors, and the hoodlid and bootlid. The whole rear panel including the rear bumper is more vibrant.

I am doing some bodywork at the front, and I have some Halfords Own- Brand cutting compound, the one in the yellow tube. I find that, when I rub it anywhere on the front and the bootlid and hoodlid, a much more appealing yellow colour comes up.

I just wanted to know, is this stripping the lacquer off, or is it bringing up old paint? I am hoping that it is the latter. It is interesting because the said back section of the car doesn't change colour when the cutting compound is put on. I know it may seem like a stupid question, but I haven't worked with car paint in years.


Also, does anyone go to the Sharnbrook hotel Classic car day in north Bedfordshire? I recently moved to Beds and it looks like a really popular event. Apparently many Barchetta(s?) attend.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[scallywag630]

Can't advise on the paint except you have the best colour....

 

[bumble]

Good to see you back - it's all been a bit quiet. Personally, I rarely notice a cars colour

Steve

 

[Crachat]

 

[RightGuard]

It is just oxidisation so a bit of elbow grease and it should look great. I am going to get some picture up soon.

 

[KC3]

Hiya,
I work as an Auto Detailer specializing in paint correction.
After 1996 most paints will have converted to an environmentally friendly water base and clear coat.

This is a three stage process that will have a base primer, the colored paint and then a clear varnish or clear coat. This protects the paint but over time can oxidize and diminish and peel if left alone to the environment, hence the use of wax and other protectants.
The clear coat makes up around 50% of the three layers but some manufactures use harder clear coats than others.

The Fiat paints are generally soft and pigments in the yellow and especially red paints are prone to faster oxidization in the clear coat.

The older paints would be two pack, a base primer and then the colored paint hence when you polished the paint you would see the color come onto the polishing pad.

When your using an abrasive compound polish on later paints your removing very tiny amounts or clear coat that brings back luster to a dull, scratched or oxidized surface although you will see no color on your polishing pad or cloth.

Make sure to add some wax protection again once finished with the polishing process.

Hope this helps.

 

[gar074]

If I didn't have mine, I'd have a yellow one in a heartbeat!

I saw a brilliant yellow B in Helsinki a few years ago - yellow suede recaro seats, yellow leather detailing on the steering wheel & handbrake, & various other yellow interior bits.

Just awesome!

(Clue: my passion for yellow cars may have something to do with the football team I support!)

 

[RightGuard]

Thanks KC3, that seems to explain a lot. There is paint that comes off with a good bit of rubbing. It is hard to see the difference in flat overcast lighting, but when it is sunny it is amazing to see how bright it is. Really gets your upper body going though!

Gar, I remember you mentioning that car a good while back, and I was thinking of getting yellow leather seats! and of course it is Norwich City????

 

[gar074]

Gar, I remember you mentioning that car a good while back, and I was thinking of getting yellow leather seats! and of course it is Norwich City????

I've got some photos of it somewhere - will try to dig them out!

Yes, it's the canaries. I'm off to California in 2 weeks' time for the pre-season tour - San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers.

Yellows, Yellows!

 

[KC3]

Thanks KC3, that seems to explain a lot. There is paint that comes off with a good bit of rubbing. It is hard to see the difference in flat overcast lighting, but when it is sunny it is amazing to see how bright it is. Really gets your upper body going though!

Uhm!
Colored paint could mean strike through the protective clear coat! or possibly someone over the years has used a two stage paint for some repairs.

And Yes, forgot to mention, Any type of paint defects whether oxidization,scratches or environmental attack will be highlighted with sunshine or any source of bright artificial light. Swirls or cobwebs( light surface scratches) or RDS (Residual deep scratches) or even severe scratches which break into the base coat can be seen clearly.

Generally the light swirls(which are not round but its the refraction of light from the sun or artificial light which will disappear or cannot be seen in low light conditions.

Auto Detailers specializing in paint correction like myself will work under professional lighting to remove any defects in the paint and reveal a mirror like finish.

Here are some charts and pictures of my brother in laws car I did recently that explain things clearly.

 

[KC3]

Uhm!
Colored paint could mean strike through the protective clear coat! or possibly someone over the years has used a two stage paint for some repairs.

And Yes, forgot to mention, Any type of paint defects whether oxidization,scratches or environmental attack will be highlighted with sunshine or any source of bright artificial light. Swirls or cobwebs( light surface scratches) or RDS (Random deep scratches) or even severe scratches which break into the base coat can be seen clearly.

Generally the light swirls(which are not round but its the refraction of light from the sun or artificial light which makes them look round will disappear or cannot be seen in low light conditions.

These are the easiest to remove or fill by certain polishes but Auto Detailers specializing in paint correction like myself will work under professional lighting to permanently remove any defects in the paint and reveal a mirror like finish.

Here are some charts and pictures of my brother in laws car I did recently that explain things clearly.

Just added some corrections!!

 

[RightGuard]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the reply and the effort put into it. I am fairly certain that it is just oxidised paint coming off and that I am not actually stripping paint off. I may have not described it properly; when I rub hard on the paint with the compound, just a dull shade of yellow comes off onto the rag that I am using.

The B is looking good now anyway, majority of the bodywork has been done, including the flares on the rear wheel arches which have been a target for curbs in the past! Halford's own Broom Yellow has seemed to match up nicely.

The event at sharnbrook was great. I will get some pictures up soon. It was last Sunday, and good weather for it! The day before it had gone into another show at my son's school, where it looked great against old MGs and Porches.

I met another guy with a yellow B, and one with a black one that had red leather inside, which looked really sharp. The owner of the Black B actually lives within close range of me, and I seem to remember him being involved with the UK Barchetta club, as was the other guy with the yellow B. I asked them about this forum, and they said that they had only had a quick glance at it, but the owner of the black B mentioned you, KC3!

An owner of a Orange B turned up while I was having a look at the other cars, and I had to leave early so I didn't meet them. It looked to be a respray in metallic orange...?