Bubbles in the Paint

[WhiteArrow3800]

I started noticing bubbles in the paint about a year ago. It started above the gas door and on the roof. I had originally thought maybe it was tree sap or maybe beads of whatever "wax protectant" the automatic car washes apply. But I can poke them and see the flex. They seem to come and go, usually its very apparent after I've washed the car or when it's hot outside. Which tells me it's moisture.

Well now it was spread over most of the car, besides the cladding on the sides, bumper covers and the trunk, the rest has these little bubbles. This is different from the hood herpes. I've seen that, and I have it as well. But my hood herpes hasn't come to the top of the hood yet, it's lingering on the bottom side by the hood release. These are mostly individual but some seem to be in patches. The worst spots are on the drivers side doors, there's a bunch of really tiny ones on the hood now, and a few big ones above the gas door. There are three on the hood that 'popped' too.

Does anyone else with an '00+ have this issue? Is there something that could have caused this after the car left the factory?



It's been really hard to capture them on the camera but I washed the car yesterday and kept trying to get them to show on the camera.
Here's a shot between the drivers door handle and window sill.

[harofreak00]

Never been repainted?

[WhiteArrow3800]

Well I don't know for sure. Nothing was reported on the carfax report accident wise. However there is significant evidence of an accident on the front and rear ends though. I believe the trunk lid has been replaced and painted, and the body seal inside of the trunk is painted on one side and tan colored on the other. I'd figure the rear bumper cover was likley replaced if the trunk lid took a hit. The front bumper cover wasn't replaced, it still has dimples from being crushed a bit and touch up paint.

[bonnelover]

didn't you say that the dealer reduced the price on it a lot at the end? maybe because it was in an accident and it was hard to sell? could be the cause?

[WhiteArrow3800]

I did find it originally for 7900, came down to 5900 when I went to check it out and settled on 5700. But the bubbles weren't present then. But its possible.

[bonnelover]

still looks good!!!!

[JAmon]

I have some around the fuel filler. My car has been sitting a few months, and I just noticed them a few days ago. I'm hoping they go away, buy not likely.

[00Beast]

Nope. That is a terribly common issue 2000+. The cause is foam behind that panel that catches water and rusts it from the inside out. It's only gonna get worse.

[01bonneSC]

Nope. That is a terribly common issue 2000+. The cause is foam behind that panel that catches water and rusts it from the inside out. It's only gonna get worse.

I think Ed's just talking about the gas door. Mine has it.

As far as whats it the pic, IHNI...

[Gumball]

have you tried a hair dryer? maybe it will shrink them down.

[sandrock]

Maybe it's just puberty. Throw some clearasil on there and see what happens...

[WhiteArrow3800]

Thanks for the tip Brad!


And yeah the gas door, hood and probably the rear wheel wells are common areas for rust and/or paint bubbling up, but those bubbles show up in clusters. These here are like this (In my picture above) all over the car.

[PRD2BDF]

Strip and repaint the car in Pearl White!

[WhiteArrow3800]

That becomes an option when I've got a couple grand sitting around, lol. And the White Gold Tri-Coat is already decided.