Question re. paintwork

MarcusMaximus

I have just noticed that there is a patch of paint on my recently purchased car that isn't right. It is just above the rear door and is flatter/duller than the surrounding paint. It also feels a bit rough to the touch vs. the smooth feel of the rest of the paint and there is a line on the front side where the patch ends. I tried buffing it with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to see if it would just blend in but that started to take a bit of the paint off and did nothing to improve the shine.

So I reckon at some stage it was masked to a straight line and then sprayed with aerosol paint but without adding any lacquer. I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to improve it and bring it closer to the original without getting the whole panel professionally re-sprayed? I did a job myself a couple of years ago on a different car and the lacquer never really looked smooth or shiny so I'm not sure that giving it a few coats of that would have the desired result, but I could be wrong.

I may have to just live with it but I thought I'd see if anyone could offer any advice. Here are a few pics though it's hard to get a photo where the patch is properly visible. However they might give some idea of what I'm dealing with. Thanks.

Edit: Strange - I set the images to 'small' but they appear much larger in the actual post.

mk7r

It might be clear coat peel that was tarted up for sale, unfortunately that colour red is notorious for issues

MarcusMaximus

Ok thanks. Why would that happen on just one fairly symmetrical patch? Is there anything I can do about it? Wasn't aware that this (Nissan) red could be problematic.

It was a private sale - I doubt the previous owner did anything like that given the kind of guy he was but I suppose you never know..

Fishdoodle

I’d bring it to a body repair workshop to have a look. They’d have a good eye for paint work. If its over a small area, would be reasonable enough to get resprayed.

...Ghost...

Where are you based?

cml387

Not just Nissan. Many red cars seems to be subject to "chalking" as its called.

MarcusMaximus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123422641#Comment_123422641

Ok, good idea though I thought they generally had to spray whole panels for consistency. Definitely worth checking out.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123424354#Comment_123424354

Hi. I'm in south Dublin, Cabinteely.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123424750#Comment_123424750

Right. Interesting, haven't come across that. I used to have a lovely red Alfa Romeo which looked great for years with no noticeable degradation of the paintwork.

It's really not that bad - many people would just live with it as is, however if I can improve it for not too much money it's probably worth doing. I was thinking of giving it a couple of coats of lacquer but I don't want to make things worse!

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123426511#Comment_123426511

Try GVD Autos in Walkinstown. Tell him the FTO lad sent you.

Fishdoodle

Car Cosmetix, Sandyford Ind Est.
Not too far from you, worth a spin up -capable and same day service, found them excellent in the past.
You Can send them photo for estimate.
Price won’t include vat. My guess… (bet €150-200 +vat)

Ace Autobody, Bray - Very good. (Prob more expensive) . Insurer approved garage.

DONT do a DIY job 😉

MarcusMaximus

Thanks guys for those suggestions. All are reasonably close with Car Cosmetix just up the road. Yeah a couple of hundred or so would be fine. I’ll take that advice - the car is in too good condition to mess around with it myself!

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123427384#Comment_123427384

👍Best of luck…& don't forget to post the after pics 🙂

MarcusMaximus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123427425#Comment_123427425

Sure, will do. It might take me a while to get around to doing it but once I have a result I'm happy with, I'll gladly show it off here! 😎

Explosive_Cornflake

I'm always amazed at what body shops can pull of with paint, it's an amazing talent.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123427384#Comment_123427384

You're welcome. GVD already have the red paint you need, so should be a bit of a saving. I had some work done there only a couple of weeks ago and my Leaf is the same colour. I'll actually be dropping a lower trim piece in for paint next week, as my son scraped it on a kerb 😁

I use them all the time. George is a sound lad.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432719#Comment_123432719

Do you know how much they charge per panel?

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432727#Comment_123432727

They have a guide price list on their website. www.gvdautos.ie

Disclaimer: I built their original website years ago. I'm the one who suggested a price list and they've stuck with it. I don't make anything from recommending them. They just always do a good job at a great price, so I have been a customer for years, as have many car enthusiast I have sent there for more than a decade.

MarcusMaximus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432719#Comment_123432719

Ok, great to have another personal recommendation. That’s a coincidence having the same colour - I think it really suits the car, especially with the tinted windows.. 😊

Looking at their price list I’d say they’re more expensive than Car Cosmetix but I’ll make some enquiries and see.

Thanks again!

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123433899#Comment_123433899

Yeah, get a couple of quotes and see what comes back. I stopped using other garages years ago as I found GVD to be much better value. It's the other side of the city, so isn't convenient for me, but I still go there. That FTO on the projects page was my car. I still miss it! 😪

MarcusMaximus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123434482#Comment_123434482

It's a bit out of the way for me too but would be worth it if they are really good. Yeah, that's a pretty cool looking motor alright! 😎

But not as cool as a lovely red Leaf.. 😏