Zoom in and you'll see that a lot of paint surfaces are actually uneven like orange peel — this is called orange peel (orange peel texture). Slight orange peel is normal, but severe orange peel looks cheap. This article explains clearly where it comes from and how to fix it.
In one sentence: Orange peel = paint droplets solidify before they fully level out; lowering viscosity, allowing sufficient leveling time, and matching the thinner's evaporation rate with the temperature will help it "level out."
I. Causes of Orange Peel
High viscosity: The paint is too thick, and the atomized droplets do not have enough time to level out.
Low air pressure/improper fan pattern: Insufficient atomization, large paint droplets.
Insufficient leveling time: Flash-off too fast or heating too early, causing the surface to skin over first.
Thinner mismatch: Volatilizes too quickly; paint droplets solidify before leveling out.
Figure: High viscosity, insufficient atomization, and inadequate leveling cause droplets to retain a granular ripple.
II. Improvement Methods
Viscosity reduction: Select a suitable thinner according to the temperature zone, and do not over-dilute.
Foot atomization: Increase air pressure / choose the right nozzle for finer paint mist.
To leveling: Allow sufficient flash-off between coats before entering the oven.
Polishing: Slight orange peel that has dried can be alleviated by polishing.
Figure: Adjust parameters to let the paint level out, or polish after fully drying to reduce ripples.
Trade-off: Over-pursuing a mirror-smooth surface sacrifices film thickness and hiding power. Keep orange peel within an acceptable range per the coating specifications—smoother is not always better.
Summary
Orange peel originates from paint droplets setting before adequate leveling, commonly caused by high viscosity, insufficient atomization, inadequate leveling time, or overly fast thinner evaporation. Improvement relies on reducing viscosity, ensuring sufficient atomization, allowing adequate flash-off, and selecting a compatible thinner; minor cases can be polished.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How is orange peel formed?
After spraying, the paint droplets should level out and spread flat, but if the viscosity is high, atomization is insufficient, leveling time is inadequate, or the thinner evaporates too quickly, the droplets set before leveling, leaving orange-peel-like ripples.
How to improve orange peel?
Select a suitable thinner according to the temperature zone to reduce viscosity, increase air pressure to ensure atomization, allow sufficient flash-off time between coats, and match the thinner evaporation rate with the environment; slight orange peel that has fully dried can be reduced by polishing.
Will wrong thinner choice cause orange peel?
Yes. A thinner that evaporates too quickly causes the paint droplet surface to skin over rapidly and prevents leveling; one that evaporates too slowly may cause sagging. Choose a thinner with a corresponding evaporation rate according to the application temperature.
Can orange peel be removed by polishing?
Slight orange peel can be significantly reduced by polishing after the paint film is fully cured; but severe orange peel is ripple at the film-thickness level, where polishing has limited effect, and re-spraying with adjusted application parameters is required.
Is it better for orange peel to be flatter?
No. Over-pursuing a mirror-flat finish often requires lowering viscosity and increasing film thickness, which may affect hiding power and sag resistance. Just control it within an acceptable range per the coating specifications.
Kexin New Materials · Automotive Coating Technology Library | This article is technical Q&A content, for reference in selection and application
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