Walked out of work yesterday and as I approached my car I noticed a funny looking shadow at the front of the drivers door just above the body kit.

Upon closer inspection its actually a mark in the paint - Its right at the front of the drivers door just above the body kit. Its kind of a dimply effect and spreads out several inches.

I've only owned my car just over a month and washed it several times but never noticed this before. Is it possible this could have come in the last few days? I doubt this is possible but I can't understand how i've not noticed it before. Its kind of an orange peel effect - i can't see any sign of the panel being resprayed.

Car is a MY2011 and is booked in to be looked at by LR as it still has the 3 year paint warranty.

Added the picture to my gallery - any ideas???

It looks suspiciously like it's been repainted at some stage.

Bad spray job I think, can't see it just appearing Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

rchrdleigh wrote:

It looks suspiciously like it's been repainted at some stage.

That was my fear... I've studied the paint work and there aren't any tell tale signs its been resprayed (except for that)

Kind of hoping it might have come out the factory like that and just never been noticed (highly unlikely)

Wondered if the dealers who sold me the car did it while the vehicle was being prep'd and its taken a month to do that in??

I will ask the question when it goes into the dealers, but I have my suspicions they will say its been resprayed before. It definitely won't polish out as i've tried

Hi,if you end up footing the bill yourself and its as you say orange peal it is possible to sort it out with care but as you say a standard Polish won't do anything to help what you need is some super fine wet and dry paper ( at least a 2000 grit ).
Flat it back with care ( water and a bit of fairy liquid Is a must ) on the affected area to take the tops off the orange peal then Polish it back up with a good compound to bring the shine back

If ya need anymore advice just send me a pm and your welcome to give a call if needed.

20 + years in the bodyshopp trade

Hope that helps

That is a great help.

This forum is full of really helpful people so thanks

Car goes in on the 19th so if I have to pay myself I'll definitely be giving you a pm and call.

I will pm my number over now just in case mate just in case its needed.
Glad to be of help

I will pm my number over now just in case mate just in case its needed.
Glad to be of help

You are sure its just orange peel effect and not micro blistering? as thats caused by painting with moisture in the airline, flatting that back wont work as it comes through from the undercoat, it will need taking right back to be sure it wont come through again.

I would be straight back to the dealers getting them to paint thickness test and ascertain if its respray or paint defect Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I'm not sure it's orange peel. I am just guessing to be honest

Steve T spot on but I have also seen this similar effect on a door panel when a dent removal specialist has been along and heated the area up with a heat gun to pop a dent. ( little bit more to it than that but difficult to explain )
One of my own jaguars had a door panel heated up very hot to try & pop a door crease and that also left a paint patch that looked like it had been painted ! I guess when they get it too hot !

Ok, so its not orange peel.

And YES, its been repaired - got a paint expert to look at it at a local body shop. Basically they said it was something called Solvent Pop. Its been heated up too much and not enough lacquer has been used. They also commented that it was a terrible smart repair and I need to take the car back to the dealers where i bought it from. There is overspray on other body panels as well.

Quick call to the dealers and surprise surprise, the car had a smart repair performed on it the day before I picked it up. I'm heading back down there tomorrow to get the issue resolved. I'm guessing they don't have a leg to stand on about sorting out the problem? They said i would have to speak to the saleman (who is now on holiday) but i'm sure they have to rectify the issue?

What came of this? just interested to know Joanne

Freelander 1.8 Petrol XEi Jan 1998 - 2004
Freelander 2 (MY13) SD4 Auto XS (Mauritius Blue) - May 2013 onwards

I'll post once I've been in. Taking the car in tomorrow morning to see what they have to say and why they allowed the car to leave the showroom in this condition