Flaking and Peeling

APPEARANCE:
Pieces of the dried paint film peel or flake off of the vehicle.

PROBLEM:
For one reason or another, delamination has occurred. The dried paint film is no longer adhering to the substrate, causing it to pull away in strips or flakes.

CULPRITS:
There are several causes of flaking and peeling of dried paint materials. They are:

• Improper surface preparation: Proper surface preparation is critical in automotive refinish. A dried paint film is only as good as what lies beneath it. If the substrate is not properly abraded, or features surface irregularities and/or rust that are not addressed prior to the application of paint, delamination may very easily occur (sometimes immediately, other times after a lengthy period).
• Insufficient film thickness: Paint that has been applied too sparingly has an eventual tendency to pull away from the substrate. Consistent and adequate film thickness is important.
• Failure to follow application instructions: Adhesion may become an issue if specific application instructions are not followed. For instance, certain undercoats that have fully cured must be sanded before taking a topcoat, otherwise the second material will not adhere well to the first, creating the potential for delamination.

TO FIX:
If the area in question is relatively small, remove flaking and peeling paint, sanding into the surrounding area, then reapply paint material as you would during a spot repair. Otherwise, sand the entire paint surface and reapply paint material, taking care to follow application instructions and build the material to a sufficient film thickness.