CD Paint Defect Analysis & Correction Flashcards

What is the standard grit progression when wet sanding a clear coat before polishing?

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.

Which condition would make paint correction unsafe or inadvisable on a vehicle?

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.

What type of paint defect is described as a chalky, dull, faded appearance on older or sun-damaged vehicles?

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.

What causes 'orange peel' texture in automotive paint, and how is it typically corrected?

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.

Acid etching on vehicle paint is most commonly caused by which environmental contaminant?

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.

When selecting between a one-step correction and a two-step correction process, what determines the choice?

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.