Roof clearcoat failure

xvxax · 01-28-04, 06:44

This is a definate n00b post so please be patient. I tried a search but maybe I used the wrong search words and I couldn't find much. If you can find another thread with a similar problem I would appreciate it. I am pretty sure I have minor clearcoat failure on my roof only of my Black 1993 BMW. On the roof there are small thin white rings in the roof spaced about 6 inches apart with about a 1/2 to 1 inch diamater oval shaped, all different shapes and not perfect ovals at all. The surface has a kinda of textured feel and there are sort of ripples in a paint, it's not shiny at all really, but the white rings will go away after a wax, but will come back within maybe a week. I can't get the look to show up in a picture but I sure will try, the inperfections are really small. Should I just use something really agressive to try to bring back the shine? Is there anything I can even possible or is roof done for? Where should I even start? Thanks a lot,
Peter Tyson

bretfraz · 01-28-04, 06:51

to Autopia

Does your roof look sorta like this?
http://www.autoint.com/pict1paintdegr.htm

If so, then you have clearcoat failure. This pic shows an advanced state of failure but it sounds like you are experiencing the same symptoms.

Sometimes polishing can improve the looks of dead clearcoat. Kinda like putting your paint on temporary life support. As soon as the oils and fillers of the polish wear off, the dead paint is back. In the long run this effort is futile but its fine for a little while until a repaint can be done. Once a clearcoat has failed there is no bringing it back from the dead. All you can do is spruce it up for a short while, which you are already doing.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I guess from here you've got to decide what your next step is. Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

xvxax · 01-28-04, 07:15

No, not even close to that bad. they're just really small halos that you have to be maybe 6 inches from the car to see. They are only visable if the car hasen't had a wax in a while, but the paint will not become very shiny even with a good wax. I take it I should just attack it pretty aggressivly? Anything special I should do for this sort of problem or just go super agressive with the DACP or PI II or something? Sorry for being so vauge, help me explain more thoroughly! Thanks a lot,
Peter Tyson

andriver · 01-28-04, 07:50

It sounds like you may have halos caused by a rotary buffer. You will need to use a rotary to correct the problem.