Help me identify defect and best solution to resolve

mightypudge

mightypudge

New member
Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
164
Reaction score
0
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Yesterday, while putting the finishing touches on a rinseless wash, I spotted the following defect on my driver's side front door. I don't know what this is or how it got there, but I've removed so many bird bombs from my car in the past three weeks I am already losing track of them. The defect is slightly raised and rough to the touch. The car is a 2018 VW GTI in Dark Iron Blue.

Can anyone help with identifying this defect and the best approach to eradicating the unwelcome guest? Thank you!!

View attachment 63981
 
Bump. Did I really stump everyone, or did I ask a stupid question? :)
 
No such thing as a stupid question. I really don't know what it is. Is the whole thing raised, or just right around the darker area in the center? Does it feel smooth or rough?

I've had a couple odd looking areas on my wife's paint which is a gray metallic. I call it bruised paint. It's odd it's like a small spot that got scratched but the object was too blunt to scratch it. The clear is still in tact, but the metallic and color look a little different in that area.
 
DaveT435 said:
No such thing as a stupid question. I really don't know what it is. Is the whole thing raised, or just right around the darker area in the center? Does it feel smooth or rough?
Click to expand...

The darker middle section is raised. The lighter "halo" area around it I believe it not, but I will confirm.

DaveT435 said:
I've had a couple odd looking areas on my wife's paint which is a gray metallic. I call it bruised paint. It's odd it's like a small spot that got scratched but the object was too blunt to scratch it. The clear is still in tact, but the metallic and color look a little different in that area.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is unlike anything I have seen before. I am almost afraid to attempt correcting it.
 
mightypudge said:
The darker middle section is raised. The lighter "halo" area around it I believe it not, but I will confirm.



Yeah, this is unlike anything I have seen before. I am almost afraid to attempt correcting it.
Click to expand...

Mi know it isn't because of your description, the picture looks almost like it got shot with a BB or pellet gun. In the picture it sure looks like that dark spot in the middle is the color coat under the clear.

When you go confirm the raised are can you try to get a couple pictures form different angles. Maybe someone will recognize it as something they've seen before that way.
 
DaveT435 said:
Mi know it isn't because of your description, the picture looks almost like it got shot with a BB or pellet gun.
Click to expand...

It honestly wouldn't surprise me, around this neighborhood. I'll see if I can get a few more pictures.
 
mightypudge said:
Here is a link to a Google photo album. I tried to get it from a couple of angles. Thanks!

GTI Defect - Google Photos
Click to expand...

I wish I had a definite answer for you. I hoped keeping this thread current some others would chime in. It still looks like a chip to me in the center. If it is raised up it's possible someone bumped your door with theirs and it's transfer clear coat from their vehicle.
 
I've seen this before with rock chips or something other than a rock FOD (foreign object damage) where the FOD hit at such and angle and velocity it actually caused a bit of halo due to debris breaking apart on impact, and instead of removing paint, actually pushed the paint up a bit.
 
LSNAutoDetailing said:
I've seen this before with rock chips or something other than a rock FOD (foreign object damage) where the FOD hit at such and angle and velocity it actually caused a bit of halo due to debris breaking apart on impact, and instead of removing paint, actually pushed the paint up a bit.
Click to expand...

Well that sounds nasty. Interestingly, the local township is in the process of repaving the main cross street by my house and I've been driving on loose rock and dust every other day for three weeks. My guess is, something got kicked up.

Assuming your guess is correct, what would be the best way to handle? Can it be corrected or should I leave it alone?
 
That could be from a loose tarmac stone that has chipped your paint. When you have meet another car that slinged it away. It could explain the halo around the spot. If the clearcoat was gotten penetrated and some of the solvents in the tar caused the halo. But just a thought. Cause have not seen anything like it before. Don't do anything to before you know if you could get anything from the city to get the damage solved. I would contact them and see if that is possible or if you have an insurance that you could use. If it's clearcoat damage a repaint is necessary to get it fixed.
 
SWETM said:
That could be from a loose tarmac stone that has chipped your paint. When you have meet another car that slinged it away. It could explain the halo around the spot. If the clearcoat was gotten penetrated and some of the solvents in the tar caused the halo. But just a thought. Cause have not seen anything like it before. Don't do anything to before you know if you could get anything from the city to get the damage solved. I would contact them and see if that is possible or if you have an insurance that you could use. If it's clearcoat damage a repaint is necessary to get it fixed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, there is no chance the state or township will pay a claim on this. I can't prove negligence since the township was in the process of repaving the road. Even though they removed the old surface three weeks ago and still haven't resurfaced it, it would have to be like this for months before I could even consider filing a claim.

The defect is really small, but I see it every time I wipe down the panel. I don't think it makes sense to have the door repainted yet; I've only owned the car for a month.
 
Do it look like tar in the center of the spot? You could test with a tar remover followed by clay if necessary. If you want to do something to it. Be carefull if there is a little stone in the spot. So after the tar remover has dwelled enough rinse it off with a strong water pressure. Inspect what happened and how the spot looks afterwards. If you see a benefit to claying it do so. And maybe a fine polish to see if the halo gets off. You could have to step up in aggressiveness also. But if it is some paint damage as it's gone through the clearcoat I would not clay or polish. Before you are ready to repaint the panel. It's all about how the damage looks. It could be worth to only fill it with some touch up paint.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top