[Z06] Quicksilver paint appears odd
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
Quicksilver paint appears odd
Looked at a 2001 QZ Z06 yesterday and when I pulled up and saw it the 1st thing I noticed was the paint was odd. The guy had cleaned it up and waxed it and the sun was shining on it. In the sun it looked kind of patchy (hard to describe) but not really noticable when cloudy. I guess it seemed that maybe the guy washed it too much. Can the clearcoat density cause this? He said he used Maguires and never any electric buffers. Low miles and garage kept but I noticed it in the sun and it drove me crazy. I noticed it seemed more obvious on the front bumper. It wasn't swirl marks or anything like that. Any clues?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio Texas
Take it to a first rate body shop. They have a $500 laser tool that measures the thickness of paint. The used car mgr at my Caddy dealer uses one when estimating trade-ins.
Actually, you should call ahead. Not all shops have that tool.
Actually, you should call ahead. Not all shops have that tool.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
I actually noticed the exact same thing on my QS Z06. It bright sunlight, the paint looks almost splotchy, thin in some spots, thicker in others. Mine is more prevalent on the front fenders. Sorry, I don't have any advice, just wanted to say I noticed the same thing.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
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I have observed this “splotchy” appearance on prior Ford, Pontiac and now my 02 QS Z06. I shot something with “Galaxy Silver” from a spray can the other day and got a similar result. Seems to be a peculiarity of silver/gray/charcoal metal flake paint? 
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 663
Likes: 172
From: Oklahoma
I believe it just might be the properties of silver paint. I owned an 82 Vette that was silver and although beautiful it did have the tendency to cast odd shadows in the paint due to sun, clouds or body curvature. I own a black Z06 now but you face a whole different set of challenges with black.
On a side note I drove next to a silver 2007 Lexus 460 on Monday and I will tell you that was the finest quality paint on a production car I had ever seen. It was stunning and the tone and quality were exceptional. Later read that all Lexus 460 models are wet sanded by hand prior to delivery. This additional attention to detail definitely showed.
On a side note I drove next to a silver 2007 Lexus 460 on Monday and I will tell you that was the finest quality paint on a production car I had ever seen. It was stunning and the tone and quality were exceptional. Later read that all Lexus 460 models are wet sanded by hand prior to delivery. This additional attention to detail definitely showed.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
It does reflect sun different at times. Zaino nearly changed the color of mine. Took a lot of the grey color out. I like it. I don't think it is paint depth, but just the qualities of QS.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 4
From: granville mass
It is the metallic flecks laying differently within the paint.
This comes from varying wetness, and/or film thickness when the paint is sprayed. The metallic actually sinks in the paint and gives it a locally darker tint. It is fairly common on lesser repaints, and on OEM paint.
A good aftermarket full repaint would do away with that because the last coat before clear is sprayed very thin and dry, which lets the metallic flakes to stay right on top of the film. Cheap repaints and the OEM paint are done in as few coats as they can get away with to save $.
Whether it's OEM or a repaint, it's then it's covered with clear, and is not affected by waxing, washing, or polishing, unless someone rubbed right through the clear - not likely.
BTW- it's for this reason that silver is the hardest color to match. The paint can be off quite a bit (at least to a trained eye), just because of the way it's sprayed.
This comes from varying wetness, and/or film thickness when the paint is sprayed. The metallic actually sinks in the paint and gives it a locally darker tint. It is fairly common on lesser repaints, and on OEM paint.
A good aftermarket full repaint would do away with that because the last coat before clear is sprayed very thin and dry, which lets the metallic flakes to stay right on top of the film. Cheap repaints and the OEM paint are done in as few coats as they can get away with to save $.
Whether it's OEM or a repaint, it's then it's covered with clear, and is not affected by waxing, washing, or polishing, unless someone rubbed right through the clear - not likely.
BTW- it's for this reason that silver is the hardest color to match. The paint can be off quite a bit (at least to a trained eye), just because of the way it's sprayed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 3
From: Fredericton NB
I actually noticed the exact same thing on my QS Z06. It bright sunlight, the paint looks almost splotchy, thin in some spots, thicker in others. Mine is more prevalent on the front fenders. Sorry, I don't have any advice, just wanted to say I noticed the same thing.
Same here on my QS Z !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
Thanks for all your responses. I am not crazy. Some of you described what I saw exactly. I thinkit is different on every QS Z06 because I've seen some without the splotchy look in the sun. Would any of you not bought a car because of this anomaly with silver paint (on an otherwise good deal)?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
Is this what we are talking about? Only sometimes in the sun, my fender has a different shade than the door. It's the only place I notice it and it only looks that way sometimes.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 693
Likes: 92
From: Savannah GA
...I had the same problem with my sebring silver SS Camaro. After Zaino coats it would look great until you started comparing surfaces. I think zulatr has described the how and why of the problem.
Jeff
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
I noticed this on my 01 as well.
there is a bizzare line that shows up on the hood and runs on to the cowl. It looks like someone painted an odd circle there. when overcast I cant find the line. When it is in direct sunlight I see it no problem.
there is a bizzare line that shows up on the hood and runs on to the cowl. It looks like someone painted an odd circle there. when overcast I cant find the line. When it is in direct sunlight I see it no problem.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Mine too, I looked everywhere under the sun looking for signs of repairs or re-paint, but nothing. I see the same blotches unders the sun and it was driving me crazy because I thought I bought a z thats been crashed before. I'm the second owner, clean carfax. It may just be the paint, I've learned to live with it.
