New posts (Nov 2011) on Autopia Detailing Wiki

The clear coat is the final original equipment manufacturers coating applied to a vehicle to protect the (base) colour coat while providing both depth and a durable, glossy appearance, originally designed to protect metallic paints, but is now applied to all colours. Any product applied on top of the clear coat needs to be transparent otherwise both the paint colour and its depth of shine will be muted.

Ultra violet (UV) radiation is known to contribute to the chemical modification (drying out the polymers and its resin binder system) of exposed paint surfaces resulting in loss of gloss, color change, chalking, flaking and eventually destruction of the paint film

Oxidation - is the result of some of the top layer of polymer drying out; Once the air borne contaminates and pollution compromises the paint surface they accelerate the oxidation (reduction) or paint failure process, which leads to bleaching (fading), discoloration, chalking, brittleness and cracking - all indications of UV deterioration.

Clear coat failure- is the result of ultra violet radiation drying out both the polymer paint and its resin binder system, causing structural failure; the paint take on a dull grey cloudy appearance, then as time progresses this is accompanied by paint delamination (flaking) Once a paint surface structural integrity is compromised like this it usually means the paint requires replacement (re-painting)

It’s also worth noting that the UV absorbents migrate to the top of the clear coat, so one you remove too much clear 0.5 mil (12µ) you'll have no paint ultra violet protection other than what you apply with a LSP


Clear Coat and UV Protection Removal