What is paint lifting?

Also calledAlligatoring, Crinkling, Lifting/Wrinkling, Puckering, Rivelling, Shrivelling, Sweating, Wrinkling

A finish that has shrivelled or wrinkled, as if it was heated, is lifting. The solvents in the new paint softened the layer underneath. As the new paint dried, it dragged the soft layer with it. The causes include products that do not work together, coats too heavy, or painting over paint that had not cured.

What kind of repair does it need?

Everything that lifted is removed, back to a sound layer. Often that means back to bare metal. All the coating has to come off down to the metal, because other fixes are not reliable. Then it is sealed, primed and painted.

Class of work Stripped and painted again - by whoever painted it.

A workmanship fault, stripped back to bare metal or to the filler first. Paid work must be done with care and skill, so it belongs back with the shop that did it.

What to do next

Be firm about this one. Lifting is a known paint fault and is not caused by the owner. Paid work must be done with care and skill. Photograph it, find your invoice and go back. If the shop has closed or will not respond, contact your state's consumer protection agency.

Sources

  1. Axaltapaint makerAlso known as: wrinkling, rippling, raising
  2. Standoxpaint makerRemove all coating and refinish from metal stage
  3. Automotive Artpaint makerThe affected areas must be sanded down and refinished (filler and top-coat)
  4. PPG ANZpaint makerAllow the film to harden thoroughly
  5. PPG GBpaint makerAllow the film to harden thoroughly
  6. PPG Industries (US/Canada, 2019)paint makerRemove finish from affected areas
  7. Sherwin-Williams Automotivepaint makerRemove lifted areas and refinish
  8. Spies Hecker (Axalta)paint makerCompletely remove the fully dried area of wrinkled top coat together with the affected substrate and apply the paint system again
  9. Queensland Government (Office of Fair Trading)governmentA business guarantees they provide their services with due care and skill.

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Related

What is dry spray on car paint? Rough, dull, gritty paint that never flowed out is dry spray. Learn why this is an application fault and what to say to the shop. What is orange peel on car paint? A texture like orange skin is paint that set before it flowed out level. Learn when it can be polished and when it needs repainting. What is texture mismatch on car paint? Two panels that are the same colour but scatter light differently have a texture mismatch. Learn how to spot and fix it. What are panel faults under new paint? Ripples and dents showing through new paint mean the preparation underneath was not blocked flat. Learn what repair looks like.
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