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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 11:07 AM
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Default Paint bubbling

Hi,
This is a question for the paint and body work folks.
I had the hood of my 1958 repainted (two stage, clear over red) back in August.
I havent noticed any issues until today when I found a 2-3 inch area that has begun bubbling or separating. If I push on it, the paint is pliable. So far, no cracking.
I have emailed the man who did the paint but wanted to check with folks with more experience than I have, just to see what I should watch out for when I speak with him.
I have not waxed the hood, I'm not sure if they did or not.
Thanks
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 11:15 AM
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Bad prep or something leeched into the fiberglass at some point
Been there and done that.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 11:17 AM
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silicone is very bad in a body shop
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 11:39 AM
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there is something under the paint causing an adhesion problem
It would need sanded down - identify the problem and fix
happens .....
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 11:46 AM
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Agree. Probably brake fluid or silicone or oil was in or on the hood. Sometimes it cannot be leached out. Kind of like putting a drop of oil on a sheet of cardboard.....fiberglass can be absorbent.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by csherman
there is something under the paint causing an adhesion problem
It would need sanded down - identify the problem and fix
happens .....
Yep. And since it is on the hood, you are probably looking at repainting the whole hood. Some have had success with 'blending', but that is difficult to make it invisible with bc/cc.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 11:52 AM
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thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.
I realize the entire hood will have to be re-done (ugh) but am curious what would be the proper method of sealing whatever the contaminant might be?
It seems odd that I didn't notice an issue before now.
Thanks again!
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 12:01 PM
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It may or may not be contaminated. Could be just bad prep. Getting oils/contaminants out of fiberglass is tough. Brake cleaner or mineral spirits may work. Many folks simply cut out the affected area and splice in new clean glass. That way, no surprises in 6 months down the road.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 12:21 PM
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Thanks
At least now I have some idea of what could be done.
I appreciate the advice!
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 12:25 PM
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I have also seen paint bubbles on metal car bodies. Are paint bubbles more common with fiberglass bodies?
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by vettsplit 63
Yep. And since it is on the hood, you are probably looking at repainting the whole hood. Some have had success with 'blending', but that is difficult to make it invisible with bc/cc.

The Chevy Car Dealership told me color matching is usually not a problem with solid colors. White & Black paint being the easiest to color match.

Last edited by CorvetteMikeB; Feb 28, 2021 at 12:35 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 01:17 PM
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If you look at the underside of the hood directly underneath the bubbles, can you see any fluid stains?
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMikeB
I have also seen paint bubbles on metal car bodies. Are paint bubbles more common with fiberglass bodies?
Apples and oranges regardless of frequency of occurrence
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 02:34 PM
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.....if the bubbling is in the valleys of the hood ribs...the problem is this. There was too much paint applied to the hood at one time.[..it should have been allowed to dry between coats. The paint was not allowed to dry ....then shot will clear which dried over the top of the base paint trapping solvents under the clear.
You can have the same issue whether single stage or two stage...by loading up the fender tops with paint on the 58-62's. The fender valley will pool the paint....it will dry on the top but not on the bottom...eventually losing adhesion....extracting and expanding...leading to paint cracking.

Last edited by bgprisms; Feb 28, 2021 at 06:46 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 02:59 PM
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Did the hood require any work prior to applying the paint? I mean aside from standard prep.

If so, it could be the resin's still off gassing? If not, a lot of what the others have already stated about contaminates under the paint.

I'm definitely not an expert in this body and paint process, just a bit of limited knowledge due to experience.

Pat
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 03:20 PM
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If you’re saying it’s solvent pop from a bad lay down then that’s a different issue (and easier to fix).

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Feb 28, 2021 at 03:21 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 03:26 PM
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Check to see if the bubbles are where the air cleaner would reflect sun. If you have a chrome air cleaner and lift the hood up the sun can reflect and bubble a small area or even a larger area as the sun moves If you've left the hood up in the sun anytime at all for even a few minutes that's possible.I've seen it on several cars including mine, and watched it happen on another guy's car at a car show when the wind blew a rag off the air cleaner he had on.If that's the issue the bubbles will be about center of the hood maybe a foot and a half from the windshield line of the hood.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 03:28 PM
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Did you add an AC system to the car? If so, are the bubbles on top of the pulley on the compressor? Jerry
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
Check to see if the bubbles are where the air cleaner would reflect sun. If you have a chrome air cleaner and lift the hood up the sun can reflect and bubble a small area or even a larger area as the sun moves If you've left the hood up in the sun anytime at all for even a few minutes that's possible.I've seen it on several cars including mine, and watched it happen on another guy's car at a car show when the wind blew a rag off the air cleaner he had on.If that's the issue the bubbles will be about center of the hood maybe a foot and a half from the windshield line of the hood.


For that same reason of bubbling paint due to sun damage. I only pop my hood at car shows if a tall building is blocking the sun and my corvette is entirely in the shade. Good idea to get there early and find a good spot to park the car.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMikeB
For that same reason of bubbling paint due to sun damage. I only pop my hood at car shows if a tall building is blocking the sun and my corvette is entirely in the shade. Good idea to get there early and find a good spot to park the car.
its easier to keep the hood shut, use a towel over the air cleaner or use a 65 396 black air cleaner lid
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