CD CD Paint Defect Analysis & Correction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard grit progression when wet sanding a clear coat before polishing?
- Coarser grit first, then progressively finer grits (Correct answer)
- Finest grit first, then coarser grits
- A single grit paper throughout the process
- Alternating between coarse and fine randomly
Correct answer: Coarser grit first, then progressively finer grits
Wet sanding always starts with a coarser grit to remove the defect, then progresses through increasingly finer grits to eliminate sanding scratches before polishing.
Question 2: Which condition would make paint correction unsafe or inadvisable on a vehicle?
- Paint depth readings below 2 mils (50 microns) on clear coat (Correct answer)
- Presence of light water spots on the surface
- A vehicle older than 10 years
- Surface temperature below 60°F
Correct answer: Paint depth readings below 2 mils (50 microns) on clear coat
Clear coat below 2 mils (approximately 50 microns) is dangerously thin, and further cutting via polishing risks burning through to the base coat.
Question 3: What type of paint defect is described as a chalky, dull, faded appearance on older or sun-damaged vehicles?
- Oxidation (Correct answer)
- Hologramming
- Acid etching
- Orange peel texture
Correct answer: Oxidation
Oxidation is the breakdown and fading of paint caused by UV exposure and environmental elements, resulting in a chalky, dull appearance that can often be corrected with a cutting compound.
Question 4: What causes 'orange peel' texture in automotive paint, and how is it typically corrected?
- Imperfect paint application during manufacturing, corrected by wet sanding and polishing (Correct answer)
- Bird dropping etching, corrected by spot paint repair
- Water mineral deposits, corrected by chemical removal
- Wax buildup, corrected by stripping with an IPA wipe
Correct answer: Imperfect paint application during manufacturing, corrected by wet sanding and polishing
Orange peel is a textured, uneven surface from the spray application of paint during manufacturing, and it is corrected through wet sanding followed by machine polishing.
Question 5: Acid etching on vehicle paint is most commonly caused by which environmental contaminant?
- Bird droppings and insect residue (Correct answer)
- Road tar and asphalt
- Industrial fallout and rail dust
- Hard water mineral deposits
Correct answer: Bird droppings and insect residue
Bird droppings and insect residue contain uric acid and digestive enzymes that etch into clear coat, causing permanent marks if left untreated.
Question 6: When selecting between a one-step correction and a two-step correction process, what determines the choice?
- The severity of paint defects and the condition of the clear coat (Correct answer)
- The color of the vehicle's paint
- The brand of polisher being used
- The age of the wax or sealant currently on the paint
Correct answer: The severity of paint defects and the condition of the clear coat
Lightly defected paint may only need a one-step all-in-one product, while heavily scratched or oxidized paint requires a two-step process of compounding followed by polishing.
CD CD Paint Defect Analysis & Correction 2
What is the standard grit progression when wet sanding a clear coat before polishing?