Is this "solvent popping"?

[A4 1.8tqm]

I wet sanded and polished this 1/4 panel here's what it looked like. I think I remember it being referred to as solvent popping.

Before I ever touched it, eeew! This car was someones project, now long forgotten about I'm sure.

Some sanding done.

Some sanding marks removed. You can see the little divots in the paint around the lights.

The bad angle. It looked just like this to the eye, of course it's not this bad in normal lighting, but it's hard to capture in pics.

Not the bad angle

So my question is what causes these little divots and if I was to repaint the panel how could I avoid it ending up like this? I do plan on doing some painting sooner or later. In the mean time I think I'll shoot a couple coats of rattle can clear for fun. As you might be able to tell, this is car is not in great condition, but it's great for learning! :xyxthumbs:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I wet sanded and polished this 1/4 panel here's what it looked like. I think I remember it being referred to as solvent popping.



Some sanding marks removed. You can see the little divots in the paint around the lights.

Solvent Popping is a problem normally associated with a repaint, not a factory finish, that said, from the above picture, if what I'm seeing surrounding the rectangular light reflection, those whitish dots look like the way solvent popping looks when captured on camera under light like you have done here.

Has this car been repainted? If so, then that looks like solvent popping.

 

[Strick76]

Yep, that looks like solvent pop. It is caused by either putting on the clear without proper flash time between coats or putting on the clear coats to heavy.

Rule of thumb: When you spray the clear, use lighter coats and allow proper flash time.

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

Has this car been repainted? If so, then that looks like solvent popping.

Yep, that looks like solvent pop. It is caused by either putting on the clear without proper flash time between coats or putting on the clear coats to heavy.

Rule of thumb: When you spray the clear, use lighter coats and allow proper flash time.

Yes, a couple panels were repainted by the previous owner. The color doesn't even match so It will be redone anyway. It's good to know things like this for future reference.

Thanks guy's! :urtheman: