I started noticing the orange peel effect in the late 90's on a lot of cars- my last two Explorers have it, my RX-8 has it, my sister's new Mazda minivan has it, but by my '96 Miata didn't. I noticed it on all the RX8's on the lot as well... I don't think it has anything to do with the paint color. The 'orangepeel' appears to me to be on the surface of the sheet metal, underneath the paint- the paint's surface seems to be perfectly smooth.

 

Well the consensus seems to be that the paint is a bit "orange-peelie"! I've got the zaino stuff now, so will be doing my Karate kid impression next weekend (wax on- wax off!). Off to Barcelona this weekend, so nothing will get done then.

 

I've got orange peel, too. I wonder if anyone who has an RX-8 can honestly say the car's paint doesn't have the orange peel effect?