Orange Peel

SCOPESYS · Sep 9, 2018

Last week I was at my local Dealer, and was comparing the Paint work on their Showroom R, compared with a SI they also had.
The R's paint was noticeably better, with no sign anywhere of any Orange Peel, while the Si they had (and similarly mine), does have slight orange peel, that prevents a MIRROR like finish (you can see the small ripples if you catch the light right).

I conclude that the British are better at painting than the Canadians :stirthepot:

So, has anyone here got any experience in detailing to remove minor orange peel without damaging the clear coat.

I am considering Ceramic Coating, but would like that on top of an "Orange Peel Free" surface, and am thinking that any thinning of the clear coat, by cutting it back to remove the Orange Peel, would be more than compensated for by the Ceramic Coat ?

I did not allow the Dealer to "spray/smear" their promoted "Protection Seal" onto the car, having seen one that they did previously, and sealed in a lot of dirt and dust between the seal and the paint .. a Total Mess !!

I believe despite not being a "Professional Detailer", that I can do a far better job than the dealer, because it is MY Car, and I will take as much time as it needs to do it right, rather than them just rushing it through as just "another car" being done as quickly as possible, to maximize Profit !

Would welcome any feedback or advice. ( 2018 Si, Aegean Blue)

CEPA_Si · Sep 10, 2018

Orange peel removal can be quite risky on most factory paint cars, especially for someone who has not done it before. Most modern cars have very thin clears on them from the factory and it does not take much to cause a burn through. Unfortunately the paint quality on these cars are certainly not the best. Personally I would not bother messing with trying to level (wet sand) the car. Just have a good compound and polish done on it and that should knock "some" of the orange peel down and still have a very nice finish.

GoodBytes · Sep 29, 2018

Well, car painting at manufacture is all automated.
When I was at the Honda dealership recently, I did notice minor orange peal under the clear coat at some location (which was fading away in gradient fashion). I noticed it on the the 2 black Civic that they had under certain angles with the showroom lights, up close. The 2 they had was the Civic 2018 Coupe, and the other was the Hatchback (which, that model, is made in Great Britain, if I am not mistaken). Not sure if the problem is the black paint, or only visible because the color.

What color do you have?

Aurelleah · Oct 16, 2018

SCOPESYS said:
I conclude that the British are better at painting than the Canadians

My canadian EX in Modern Steel has no orange peel at all, it was mirror finish from the factory fyi

SCOPESYS · Oct 16, 2018

Aurelleah said:
My canadian EX in Modern Steel has no orange peel at all, it was mirror finish from the factory fyi

Good to hear ... that your Canadian EX in Modern Steel has no orange peel at all

But thinking about it, thy are all probably pained by Japanese ROBOTS :puke:

Aurelleah · Oct 17, 2018

SCOPESYS said:
Good to hear ... that your Canadian EX in Modern Steel has no orange peel at all

But thinking about it, thy are all probably pained by Japanese ROBOTS

just checked again and there does seem to be some, though it's so incredibly hard to see, I can only see it when looking at light/whites reflected in the paint when looking for it

SCOPESYS · Oct 17, 2018

Aurelleah said:
just checked again and there does seem to be some, though it's so incredibly hard to see, I can only see it when looking at light/whites reflected in the paint when looking for it

That's the way to see it

With factory paint jobs, you really don't want to look to close.
I find some comfort in considering the Factory Orange Peel to be a custom TEXTURE finish !!

Another thing you don't want to do (But probably will, if you have not done so already), is to gently run your hand over the paintwork to feel how smooth it is.
NICE AND SMOOTH ..
Then put your had in a Zip Lock bag, and run your hand over the paintwork.
NOT so SMOOTH after all

TimberWolf · Oct 17, 2018

Every car I've owned, regardless of price, has at least some orange peel somewhere. Some paint jobs are better than others, but I don't think it's a high priority to get absolutely mirror-smooth paint for most manufacturers. Even my NSX has a bit in certain areas.

GoodBytes · Oct 17, 2018

In the end, after 4-5 years, especially if you are in an area where you have snow and they put salt and small rocks, your car paint will look like crap in comparison and starting to be dull, due to all the micro scratches. It's a Honda, not a show piece car, if you get what I mean. (I am not saying to not take care of the car, just that it's a normal, mass produced car, designed to take you, daily from point A to B in comfort (and some fun))

CivicChina · Oct 27, 2018

My car has a little orange peel, nothing terrible but it's dark and you can see it if you pay attention. I definitely don't want to touch it because paint is extremely thin.
I stopped thinking about it after i noticed that 60k Jaguars have more orange peel than mine...

MavicTB · Oct 29, 2018

SCOPESYS said:
Last week I was at my local Dealer, and was comparing the Paint work on their Showroom R, compared with a SI they also had.
The R's paint was noticeably better, with no sign anywhere of any Orange Peel, while the Si they had (and similarly mine), does have slight orange peel, that prevents a MIRROR like finish (you can see the small ripples if you catch the light right).

I conclude that the British are better at painting than the Canadians

So, has anyone here got any experience in detailing to remove minor orange peel without damaging the clear coat.

I am considering Ceramic Coating, but would like that on top of an "Orange Peel Free" surface, and am thinking that any thinning of the clear coat, by cutting it back to remove the Orange Peel, would be more than compensated for by the Ceramic Coat ?

I did not allow the Dealer to "spray/smear" their promoted "Protection Seal" onto the car, having seen one that they did previously, and sealed in a lot of dirt and dust between the seal and the paint .. a Total Mess !!

I believe despite not being a "Professional Detailer", that I can do a far better job than the dealer, because it is MY Car, and I will take as much time as it needs to do it right, rather than them just rushing it through as just "another car" being done as quickly as possible, to maximize Profit !

Would welcome any feedback or advice. ( 2018 Si, Aegean Blue)

It is very possible that CTR got paint corrected prior to making it on the showroom floor. Like others have said almost all cars have some orange peel texture some more than others. Some colors hide it better than others too.

most places that do Ceramic do a paint correction first to make sure the foundation for the ceramic to stick to is good. I would just consider taking it to a professional and getting suggestions based on your cars paint condition. Ceramic is not a replacement for clear, but paint correction when done correctly removes very little material, and pros know how much clear there is by measuring it with an ultrasonic paint depth gauge on the panels with clear, then on the panels with no clear (door jams, inside the trunk and gas cover) This tells them how much can be safely removed for correction leaving a buffer for future paint correction.

ericwudi0830 · Nov 15, 2018

A lot of newer car manufacture paint seems to have slight orange peel but it doesn't look terrible at all. I agree that it is very risky business to try to even it out. The clear coat is very thin. Screwed up my own car paint once. :doh:

REBELXSi · Dec 5, 2018

My 18 Si has orange peel and I've noticed it on all gen X civics, even the CTR in the showroom. Honda paint blows. It's either orange peel or really thin brittle paint.

SCOPESYS · Dec 5, 2018

REBELXSi said:
My 18 Si has orange peel and I've noticed it on all gen X civics, even the CTR in the showroom. Honda paint blows. It's either orange peel or really thin brittle paint.

I have stopped stressing over the Orange Peel.

I now look at it as a "Custom Texture Finish", and embrace it !!

It also hides other imperfections -- a Mirror Finish would show EVERYTHING !!

REBELXSi · Dec 5, 2018

SCOPESYS said:
I have stopped stressing over the Orange Peel.

I now look at it as a "Custom Texture Finish", and embrace it !!

It also hides other imperfections -- a Mirror Finish would show EVERYTHING !!

Lol that's one way to look at it . What really bothers me is how my rear fenders look like they were over sprayed and the paint just piled up in that area. Check yours for that.

Orange Peel

SCOPESYS

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CEPA_Si

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GoodBytes

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Aurelleah

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SCOPESYS

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Aurelleah

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SCOPESYS

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TimberWolf

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GoodBytes

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CivicChina

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MavicTB

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ericwudi0830

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REBELXSi

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SCOPESYS

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REBELXSi

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