So, what exactly is ghosting? It can occur in two ways, which we\u2019ll go into in more detail later, but essentially it is a stain or marking on the car\u2019s body. In some cases these marks can be almost invisible, while on darker surfaces they may appear more noticeable. Either way, as a professional there\u2019s no doubt you\u2019ll want to rectify this and prevent it from happening again.<\/p>\n
It can sometimes be mistaken for underspray and can occur on the clear coat or paint layers, and is a common masking problem during the painting process.<\/p>\n
There are two ways ghosting can occur. Primarily, it can happen when moisture is trapped under the masking film, which leaves marks on the paint. Water or moisture entrapment can appear between the paint finish and masking, particularly if the masking film has a low moisture transmission rate. This means the masking film is more likely to trap solvent vapour or moisture, which can result in the imprinting or marking on the car\u2019s body surface. It\u2019s important to ensure that paint surfaces are dry before masking, and making sure you use the right kind of masking film that will help to prevent the appearance of ghosting.<\/p>\n
A second way that ghosting occurs is during the removal process of badges<\/a>, logos and emblems from a car. It can be common to see ghosting as the clear coat underneath is preserved really well, while the surrounding coat may be oxidised and creates a contrast. This means, even though you have removed the badge, you can still see its outline on the car\u2019s bodywork. For further advice on removing and replacing car emblems or logos, you can check out our how-to guide<\/a> on the subject.<\/p>\n Removing ghosting from a car\u2019s paintwork can be tricky as you don\u2019t want to ruin the surrounding paint on the car\u2019s surface. However, in many cases you will likely need to touch up the paint over the ghosting marks once you\u2019ve removed them from the car.<\/p>\n Using a light rubbing compound can help to remove ghosting, as it is commonly used for correcting paint scratches. The rubbing compound will remove a thin layer of the top coat, so be wary around paint edges or where the paint may be thinner. You may then need to polish the area to finish it off and ensure it looks good as new.<\/p>\n In some cases you may be able to reduce the imprinted marks using heat. Curing lamps, heat guns and paint booth heaters can all be used to shrink ghosting on a car\u2019s paint.<\/p>\n As well as ghosting, there are a number of other automotive painting issues to be aware of, as these can all cause unnecessary headaches during the painting process.<\/p>\n Prevention is much easier than rectifying the problem when it comes to ghosting. Luckily, our JTAPE products<\/a> can help to avoid a number of painting issues. Ghosting can be avoided by making sure the paint surfaces are dry before masking, but if you do need to mask over freshly cured surfaces, it\u2019s crucial to use a masking film that has the right properties.<\/p>\n Our JTAPE Breathable Masking Film<\/a> is moisture absorbent, which means you can mask damp surfaces without the risk of ghosting marks. The absorbent nature of the Breathable Masking Film stops the moisture from becoming trapped. What\u2019s more, the Breathable Masking Film is also corona-treated<\/a>, which means it can hold paint or mist overspray to avoid paint contamination \u2013 helping you to achieve the neatest possible finish.<\/p>\n At JTAPE, we\u2019re big advocates of trying to make life that little bit easier when it comes to achieving the best finish possible on a variety of jobs, all while increasing your efficiency. Our range of masking films and other products<\/a> are perfect for a range of different applications and uses.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nHow to Remove Ghosting from Car Paint<\/h2>\n
Other Automotive Painting Issues to Note<\/h2>\n
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Preventing Ghosting with JTAPE<\/h2>\n