We love our new H3. However, after my first detail job on it I have noticed that my paint finish is more orange peel than flat. The poor quality of the paint job is even more noticable when I park it next to MUCH cheaper imports of the same color. Very disapointing. Any thoughts? Should I try to fight the dealer on this as a defect?

 

They are all like that. You get use to it

 

Yup.

 

Thank you for the replys. I suspected as much. I guess on the positive side, blemishes will be less apparent...

 

polish it with a good polish and then apply a teflon wax finish.... looks MUCH better after.

 

There is really not a lot you can do about the orange peel since it is factory paint.

The only option to remove orange peel is to have it sanded & polished, but because it is factory paint and there isn't enough clear to do that, so not the best idea.

Factory clears are about 1.5 mils thick (clear coat only), and most paint Mfg's recommend not to remove more than .5 mil of clear on an OEM finish to ensure proper durability over the long haul... It would be tough to stay within that spec and remove the orange peel.

Therefore, just keep it cleaned, polished, and waxed and you should be happy.

In extreme cases, some people choose to have their new vehicles repainted to get a better finish...In that case, they would lay more material down knowing they are going to remove it when they sand and polish



Mike

 

Shortbus had the right idea for this problem. Have you ever seen his rig.

 

Thanks again. I took your advice and polished it up today and it cut down the on the orange peel effect.

After reading some strong reviews about Turtlewax ICE on this forum I went out and got some. It does what it says, no plastic/rubber probs, but I don't like it one bit. It reminds me of baby oil, and judging from the way it went on and came off, I suspect it will last about as long as baby oil. I returned it.

I am going to switch back to the mag synth polish, a little more pain, but much more gain.

By the way, as you can see I am new here. I have a 2007 H3x and 2003 Jag x-type. I think I saw someone else who has the same fleet.

Anyway, my tip for what its worth is windex makes my chrome shine the best, wheels, handles, everything...

 

I have to reassure you that you didn't give the ICE a chance..it holds up for quite a while..at least 6 or 7 washings and then a little ICE detailer to spruce it up..I will agree it would not be good all by itself and at cleaning the finish..IMO it is perfect for the final top coat of protectant..but the finish should be prepped and water spot free first..I had a coat of Meguire's NXT first, then the ICE and the shine and water repelling is phenominal...I especially like how it treats all the plastics and fixes the wax smears on the black trim that you can never ever get off.

 

I think you are right. I prob did not use it properly. I see where you are coming from with it now. So it will actually dress up your overages with other product on the rubber/plastic?

Glad to see someone else with the same fleet.