What is orange peel in the context of sprayed paint?

• A. A smooth glossy finish
• B. A textured paint surface resembling an orange skin
• C. A rust preventative coating
• D. A finish with multiple orange tints

Answer: (B)

Orange peel is a surface texture issue in sprayed automotive finishes. It describes a finish that comes out with tiny raised bumps and valleys, resembling the skin of an orange rather than a smooth, glossy plane. This happens when the paint doesn’t atomize evenly or cures with the film built up unevenly—often due to too thick coats, incorrect viscosity, unsuitable nozzle or air pressure, or environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and dust. To fix it, adjust the spray setup and technique: thin the paint to the recommended viscosity, use the proper nozzle size and air pressure, maintain the correct distance and stroke speed, apply lighter coats with adequate flash time, and ensure the surface is clean and dry. The other options describe a smooth finish, a rust-preventative coating, or color variation, which do not match the textured surface of orange peel.