Looking for paint damage on an used car
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Old Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 88,649
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From: Xanadu
Looking for paint damage on an used car
When you buy an used car, you look for things that the seller try to hide. Or not hide. We check the oil. Look at the tire threads, and don't let the tire dressing fool you.
What about exterior paint?
Ok, we can look for fade or crack on an old surface. But a good detailing job can cover it up. Or even fix it.
But there is NO way to tell if the car have been garaged all it's life (as the owner claimed) or been sitting out in the sun and weather 24/7, and just got a good expert detailing job last week.
Can you tell the difference if the used car is:
3 years old?
10 years old?
Or after a good detailing job, no one can tell the difference?
Thanks
What about exterior paint?
Ok, we can look for fade or crack on an old surface. But a good detailing job can cover it up. Or even fix it.
But there is NO way to tell if the car have been garaged all it's life (as the owner claimed) or been sitting out in the sun and weather 24/7, and just got a good expert detailing job last week.
Can you tell the difference if the used car is:
3 years old?
10 years old?
Or after a good detailing job, no one can tell the difference?
Thanks
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: RSM, Ca, United States
Re: Looking for paint damage on an used car
If a car has been sitting out for years and it gets a good polishing, the odds are you are not going to be able to tell from the paint. But it is a moot point because if you care for it from that point on, it WILL maintain its clarity and luster.
What you need to look at are the things that common detailing practice cannot fix. Aged/cracked weather stripping, whited out or flakey window seals, rust in the fenders, pitting on the exterior of the glass from airborne contaminants. Really the only way to fix most of these problems is to replace the parts, but these are problems that result from a lifetime of neglect.
However if you truly want to get a look at the paint to make sure that it isn't simply filled with glazes and wax then you can take a spray bottle with a mix of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and water and mist it onto the panel and wipe it away. The mix of the astringent and water will effectively remove waxes, sealants and glazes. Look at the spot in direct sunlight or halogen light if it is nighttime to get a better idea of the condition of the paint.
What you need to look at are the things that common detailing practice cannot fix. Aged/cracked weather stripping, whited out or flakey window seals, rust in the fenders, pitting on the exterior of the glass from airborne contaminants. Really the only way to fix most of these problems is to replace the parts, but these are problems that result from a lifetime of neglect.
However if you truly want to get a look at the paint to make sure that it isn't simply filled with glazes and wax then you can take a spray bottle with a mix of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and water and mist it onto the panel and wipe it away. The mix of the astringent and water will effectively remove waxes, sealants and glazes. Look at the spot in direct sunlight or halogen light if it is nighttime to get a better idea of the condition of the paint.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Re: Looking for paint damage on an used car
If a car has been sitting out for years and it gets a good polishing, the odds are you are not going to be able to tell from the paint. But it is a moot point because if you care for it from that point on, it WILL maintain its clarity and luster.
What you need to look at are the things that common detailing practice cannot fix. Aged/cracked weather stripping, whited out or flakey window seals, rust in the fenders, pitting on the exterior of the glass from airborne contaminants. Really the only way to fix most of these problems is to replace the parts, but these are problems that result from a lifetime of neglect.
However if you truly want to get a look at the paint to make sure that it isn't simply filled with glazes and wax then you can take a spray bottle with a mix of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and water and mist it onto the panel and wipe it away. The mix of the astringent and water will effectively remove waxes, sealants and glazes. Look at the spot in direct sunlight or halogen light if it is nighttime to get a better idea of the condition of the paint.
What you need to look at are the things that common detailing practice cannot fix. Aged/cracked weather stripping, whited out or flakey window seals, rust in the fenders, pitting on the exterior of the glass from airborne contaminants. Really the only way to fix most of these problems is to replace the parts, but these are problems that result from a lifetime of neglect.
However if you truly want to get a look at the paint to make sure that it isn't simply filled with glazes and wax then you can take a spray bottle with a mix of 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and water and mist it onto the panel and wipe it away. The mix of the astringent and water will effectively remove waxes, sealants and glazes. Look at the spot in direct sunlight or halogen light if it is nighttime to get a better idea of the condition of the paint.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx, USA
Re: Looking for paint damage on an used car
The only other thing I could think to suggest to use is a paint depth gauge.
You'll be able to identify re-painted panels and get an idea of how much life is left in the factory clear. Aside from that, the above info is pretty much all you need.
You'll be able to identify re-painted panels and get an idea of how much life is left in the factory clear. Aside from that, the above info is pretty much all you need.
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