What could have caused this?

the wopster · 3 Jun 2023 at 13:40

I was washing my car today and this happened when I was rinsing with my pressure washer, I don’t use any chemicals just normal available wash and wax from halfords, I was involved in an accident which damaged the other side of the bumper(not sure if bumper was repaired or replaced) and was repaired in December. Is it possible that the repairer has done a half arsed job or is there something else it could be?

Drollic · 3 Jun 2023 at 14:18

It's highlighted a paint defect and it's not uncommon for pressure washers to do this. I never understand why people want to blast water at paintwork at pressure for rinsing. It's more likely to get into places you don't want water/moisture. People do it on bikes forcing water into bearings resulting in excess wear for no reason.

the wopster · 3 Jun 2023 at 14:23

Drollic said:
It's highlighted a paint defect and it's not uncommon for pressure washers to do this. I never understand why people want to blast water at paintwork at pressure for rinsing. It's more likely to get into places you don't want water/moisture. People do it on bikes forcing water into bearings resulting in excess wear for no reason.

a Defect from before the bodywork repair or the body shop not doing their job properly? why all of a sudden though, my car gets washed the same way almost every Saturday morning since I bought it last june, I wouldn’t have thought a bog standard pressure washer would be capable of that.

Drollic · 3 Jun 2023 at 14:31

woppy101 said:
a Defect from before the bodywork repair or the body shop not doing their job properly? why all of a sudden though, my car gets washed the same way almost every Saturday morning since I bought it last june, I wouldn’t have thought a bog standard pressure washer would be capable of that.

It's very difficult to say or prove. I would guess that the paint either when new or from a repair you're not aware of didn't cure properly or the prep was bad initially. The pressure washer cleaning/rinsing lifts it clean off just like your picture. Wouldn't want a pressure washer anywhere near fresh paint personally. Obviously for foam it's fine from distance.

the wopster · 3 Jun 2023 at 14:36

Drollic said:
It's very difficult to say or prove. I would guess that the paint either when new or from a repair you're not aware of didn't cure properly or the prep was bad initially. The pressure washer cleaning/rinsing lifts it clean off just like your picture. Wouldn't want a pressure washer anywhere near fresh paint personally. Obviously for foam it's fine from distance.

the repair was done in December, so it’s not fresh.
I use it for foam then wash with a sponge and then rinse from the same distance and then hand wax.

im going to take it back to the repairer on Monday to see what they say but I’m expecting them to try and snake out of it.