Darker paint trashed faster?

[pman626]

I have a dark charcoal 2007 lexus and a silver 2002 lexus.



The 2007 gets washed and cared for more, and gets waxed often.

2002 gets neglected.

Both are parked outside 24/7.



But, the roof and trunk of the 2007 is micro pitted already, whereas the neglected 2002 is still shiny and smooth, and has almost 100k miles.



Seems to me darker paints get trashed faster?

Anyone have the same observations?

[Ron Ketcham]

"Heat", the darker color gets hotter than the silver.

The heat "expands" the clearcoat film, making it softer while hot.

This allows the acids in the air/enviorment to penetrate when moisture of any amount is present.

When the surface becomes "hot` again, the acids then attack (eat) the resin system(film former/binder) of the clearcoat and produces the "pitting" or what often appears to the uninformed as "water spots".

All colors are subject to the same attack, just that the darker colors absorb and hold more heat.

Actually, dark metallic green absorbs and holds more heat than black, followed by dark blues.

Keep in mind that the "color" or "base coat" of the vehicle is under the clearcoat.

[pman626]

So, would monthly wax protect the darker color better from all those attacks?



or is wax ineffective against those contaminants....

[Ron Ketcham]

Would depend on the "wax", as they vary in their "melt" points or other words, when they start to soften and evaporate away.

That is why many have moved to paint sealant products. Quality sealants, depending on the resins used, allowed to cure, can withstand up to 300F before they start to break.

For a high melt point wax, there is always Finish Kare 1000P, which has a very high melt point.

Quality paint sealants use aminofunctional resins, which are anti-corrosive, however, there is actually nothing that will withstand every thing, all the time, no matter what the brand may promote or tell people.