What are tiger stripes on metallic car paint?

Also calledBanding, Striping, Tiger/Zebra Stripes

Stripes or bands across a metallic panel show the spray gun's passes. Tiger stripes and striping are other names for mottling. The flakes did not end up spread evenly. Uneven overlap or a badly set gun are the usual causes. Silking is a related fault, where flakes all run one way on upright panels because coats went on too heavy.

What kind of repair does it need?

Painting that panel again, with even overlap and usually a cross-coat, so the passes cancel out. Nothing done to the surface fixes flake that set in bands.

Class of work Painted again - by whoever painted it.

This is a workmanship fault. The question is not what it costs you. Paid work must be done with care and skill, so it belongs back with the shop that did it.

What to do next

Photograph the whole panel from far enough back. The regular stripes are the evidence, and they disappear up close. Paid work must be done with care and skill. If the shop offers to polish it, say no. The stripes are in the colour, and polishing only touches the clear coat above.

Sources

  1. PPG GBpaint makerEvident in metallics when all the aluminium particles tend to run the one way. Encountered mostly on vertical surfaces…
  2. Axaltapaint makerOccurs mainly in metallics, when the flakes float together to form a spotty or striped appearance.
  3. Sherwin-Williams Automotivepaint makerA streaked spotty, or striped appearance in a metallic color.
  4. PPG ANZpaint makerIf the clearcoat has not been applied, shade the base, otherwise rub down the surface and repaint
  5. Spies Hecker (Axalta)paint makerAllow clear coat to dry thoroughly, then sand the surface and respray
  6. 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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