Ron Ketcham
Active member
Thomas, the "oxidation" of the clear is indictive of "clearcoat failure".
Clear and base or pigmented paints both contain the one basic part (plus other additives) and it is the "resin system" which the "binder and film former" are the two main components.
The resin system's binder holds all the other components together, while the "film former" creates a dense surface, which among other things, hold the UV blockers in place.
In the making of OEM and refinish materials (read the MSDS of either), there are at least three different solvents used, one is just a carrier, the second is one that brings things in the paint or clear together and the last is what is referred to as the "tailing solvent", which "flows out the materials" to create a smooth, glossy surface that people observe.
This "tailing solvent" is usually the one that defines if a final surface is smooth or orange peeled (bake time and temperature may affect that in OEM applications), and to somewhat with refinish materails.
That "tailing solvent" is also one, if not the main reason, for what people around here refer to as a "soft or hard" clear.
Under normal circumstances, and this is not always true, but mostly, the "soft clear" will gain density over time-"get harder", depending on those variables such as how the finish was baked, for what time, what tailing solvent was used, where the final finish spends it's life in this world.
In my decades of dealing with such, I have never discovered a "constant" for any, one that I could "take to the bank", due to all the variables of such.
Unless there was just a complete screw up by the assembly plant or the choice of paint suppliers.
These sort of issues are usually resolved within a few months of the vehicles being sold and in the public's hands and their complaints to whatever manufactuer.
Hope this makes it a bit clearer.
Grumpy
Clear and base or pigmented paints both contain the one basic part (plus other additives) and it is the "resin system" which the "binder and film former" are the two main components.
The resin system's binder holds all the other components together, while the "film former" creates a dense surface, which among other things, hold the UV blockers in place.
In the making of OEM and refinish materials (read the MSDS of either), there are at least three different solvents used, one is just a carrier, the second is one that brings things in the paint or clear together and the last is what is referred to as the "tailing solvent", which "flows out the materials" to create a smooth, glossy surface that people observe.
This "tailing solvent" is usually the one that defines if a final surface is smooth or orange peeled (bake time and temperature may affect that in OEM applications), and to somewhat with refinish materails.
That "tailing solvent" is also one, if not the main reason, for what people around here refer to as a "soft or hard" clear.
Under normal circumstances, and this is not always true, but mostly, the "soft clear" will gain density over time-"get harder", depending on those variables such as how the finish was baked, for what time, what tailing solvent was used, where the final finish spends it's life in this world.
In my decades of dealing with such, I have never discovered a "constant" for any, one that I could "take to the bank", due to all the variables of such.
Unless there was just a complete screw up by the assembly plant or the choice of paint suppliers.
These sort of issues are usually resolved within a few months of the vehicles being sold and in the public's hands and their complaints to whatever manufactuer.
Hope this makes it a bit clearer.
Grumpy