How to Inspect the Paint Surface of a Used Car?

1 Answers
DelAngelo
07/25/25 9:34am
Check for color differences, dirt spots, cracking, and peeling. Below are detailed explanations regarding the paint surface of a used car: 1. Composition of the Paint Surface: Generally, a car's paint surface consists of four fundamental layers: the electrocoat layer, primer layer, basecoat layer, and clearcoat layer. The electrocoat layer primarily prevents rust and enhances adhesion between layers, serving as the foundation for all paint layers. The primer layer acts as a transitional coating, protecting the electrocoat layer while providing adhesion for the basecoat layer. The basecoat layer offers the most direct color perception, and the quality of its application directly affects the vibrancy of the car's color. The clearcoat layer is a transparent coating that enhances gloss and protects against minor scratches. 2. Methods for Inspecting the Paint: Examine the paint by observing light reflection. When the paint surface is smooth, inspect it against the light to determine if it has been repainted based on the brightness of the reflections. Generally, if the reflections vary in brightness, the darker areas indicate repainted sections. Look for sanding marks on the paint. When a vehicle suffers extensive collision damage, large areas of paint may require repair. During the repair process, technicians may not achieve a perfectly smooth surface when sanding the filler, resulting in wavy streaks of varying thickness in the repainted areas.
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