I was waxing my car today and noticed running along the length of the 2 doors was some very rough paint. Its kinda hard to describe. This was on both sides it is on the crease that is about 2 inches or so from the black things at the bottom of the car. It is really bubbly and such, looks like what happens when you spray too much paint on something and then let it dry. Does anyone else have this or should I take my car back and demand a new paint job?

I just checked you car and it is fine. I think you got a bad paint job. Make sure it is not a reflection, I thought I had the same thing but it turned out to be a reflection. If not then I think they should repaint it for you.

The bottom of my doors have "thicker" layers of paint. I always saw this as a good thing, and that it was done on purpose for protection, as this area of the car normally receives more abuse from various road "splatters" etc. Wouldn't call mine bubbly. It is noticeable thicker, but still pretty smooth.

The bumps are caused by a layer of flexible material (something like 3M Rocker Panel spray...) that is sprayed on before the final coat of paint. The fact that it's thick and flexible helps it prevent rock chips (which would lead to rust pretty quickly up here in MN), but that also means it can't be perfectly smooth.

The paint doesnt look any thicker there it just looks like the paint dribbled or something.. I will try and get pics if I can find a digital camera...

I've always noticed the same thing on my 1995 Legacy when I'm waxing it. The paint on the lower half of the doors feels MUCH more durable than the rest of the car. Looking at it up close, it appears to have some texture to it.

After nearly 7 years of pure abuse (lots of trips to the ski resorts in nasty weather), that it the only part of the car that isn't chipped and pitted to hell from gravel and road salt! This characteristic of the paint is definitely intentional on the doors. Even though it doesn't look as nice, I kind of wish the rest of the car had this quality paint.

It should make you feel a little better to know that I noticed the same thing on BMW's. I doubt it's a defect of any type. I noticed this stuff on my WRX the first time I washed it and I assumed it was a protective layer of some sorts.

I had to laugh when the topic for this post said NOT scratches and chips! I kinda thought, well, I guess I won't be such an expert on this topic!!

What you're describing sounds like orange peel, a result of an imperfect paint process. If you wanted to get the paint extremely flat, sanding is required between coats. Unfortunately, that would be cost prohibitive. Orange peel seems to be pretty common on all kinds of cars these days, including BMWs, Porsches, and our Subarus.

Lots more info here:
http://www.autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=5337

/mel :D

I'm having the same problem painting my model car WRX I have been working on. I need to sand it down a bit and apply really light coats of paint.

In the case of our cars and considering I see the same exact thing on the bottom part of BMWs, and MBs just like my WRX I'm just going to stick to the story that it's not any type of flaw. I hate being picky, everything must be perfect. UGH!