Clearcoat Failure?

zey · 01-09-06, 07:37

Hi all, my car is two years old. I've been washing it at least once a week, waxing it once a month. Recently I compounded the finish to clear up all of the pinholes and pittings. However, those pinholes and pittings are back again. I notice that even slight dirt sitting on the surface will etch the clearcoat easily. Could it be I'm facing clearcoat failure? Thanks.

MorBid · 01-09-06, 07:46

I would've thought clear coat failure is more of when the Clear begins to "flake off" or you down to the base coat itself (usually from over polishing or sanding).

If these Pinholes and Pittings are on the Bonnet or other part's of the front end, your always going to get them (debris flying up off the road and hiting the surface). Eventually nothing short of a repaint will fix that.

Are you saying that when dirt sits on the car the clear coat turns like a different color (sorta like chalky)?

Have you ever clayed the car?

zey · 01-09-06, 07:52

Hi MorBid, I clayed my car 1 month ago prior to compounding with M85. At that time, I get super smooth surface without any pinholes. The pinholes only appear on horizontal surfaces such as roof, bonnet, etc...I don't think it's due to road debris as I seldom drive my car.

MorBid · 01-09-06, 08:12

Well that sheds some light on the subject. My Painters manual lists two possibe causes. Solvent Popping or Pinholes.

You did say this is two years old? I would take it to the dealership and have them check the paint job under warranty.

Mad iX · 01-09-06, 08:55

Unless you've been compounding every month I doubt you're facing clear coat failure.
Sounds like your paint is a little more susceptible to the environment. What LSP are you using on it?

zey · 01-09-06, 09:06

Hi Mad iX, I think my clearcoat has very poor chemical resistance. I'm having 3 layers of M21 as my LSP.

Lowejackson · 01-11-06, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorBid

Well that sheds some light on the subject. My Painters manual lists two possibe causes. Solvent Popping or Pinholes.

You did say this is two years old? I would take it to the dealership and have them check the paint job under warranty.

Agreed, get the paint checked by your dealer

PadawanPrime · 01-13-06, 01:38

Maybe it's due to acid rain. Do you live close to an industrial plant??? Heavy metals in acid rain, maybe. Just speculation.

Peace.

newagain · 01-13-06, 02:02

Sounds like the begin stage of paint delamination as said go see your dealer and if possible have a magnify glass. good Luck

zey · 01-14-06, 09:52

Hi guys, thanks for the reply. Today my car suffered from mosquito fogging oil. The oil sat on it for about an hour and caused tiny 'pimples' all over the car. I give up on keeping flawless condition on this paintwork, will opt for a good quality refinish in the future.

scottabir · 01-14-06, 09:59

mosquito fogging oil? Sounds like harsh conditions you live in with stuff being sprayed that causes "pimples" in the paint!

maybe a high quality car cover and a blue tarp over it in the future while it is in storage?

zey · 01-14-06, 10:08

Yes! I live in a harsh environment and I couldn't be bothered to cover my car just now when I was parking in a office basement car park.