The carnage inflicted by COVID-nineteen goes well beyond filled hospital beds, or the interruptions in the lifestyles nosotros humans hold then dear. All told, global vehicle production was down a whopping 20% beyond the lath in 2022. Fractured supply chains, low customer demand, shaky economies, and poorly orchestrated solutions all fabricated for one hell of a crude year for automakers.

Only long before the COVID-xix shit-storm, another kind of infliction was eating away at the automotive manufacture, and there is no vaccine for this disease. For many, peeling articulate coat appears to be petty more an unsightly surface blemish. A "skin-deep" affliction brought on past harmful UV rays, acids contained within bird turds and problems splatter, and the harmful side effects of acid pelting.

If left unprotected, a manufacturing plant-practical articulate coating tin begin to deteriorate within as little equally just a few months, allowing ample room for all manner of contaminant to consume into the paint underneath. So while a clear glaze'due south job is to protect the base of operations coat of paint from direct exposure to the elements, allowing this sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered is both foolish and financially irresponsible.

Simply even with great care, and a protective roof overhead, no vehicle is safe from clear coat damage, which leads ane to ponder a series of questions.

Is a DIY approach even an option in this sort of scenario? Or is attempting to fix damaged clear coat something best left to the pros? And if you can ready a compromised clear glaze on one's own, what all is required in regard to supplies and repair techniques?

Today, we'll answer these questions, and explain a few facts well-nigh clear coats that correlate to how they work, types of damage they are susceptible to, and the most effective DIY methods for repairing a peeling clear coat on one'southward own.

Breaking Down the Facts Well-nigh Automotive Articulate Coatings

A prime example of what a pristine, minty-fresh automotive clear coat should look like... when protected by AvalonKing Armor Shield IX nano ceramic coating.
A prime instance of what a pristine, minty-fresh automotive clear coat should look like… when protected by AvalonKing Armor Shield 9 nano ceramic coating.

From an ingredients standpoint, automotive clear coat is almost completely identical to pigmented paint, because the only thing missing, is, well… pigment. All of the same solvents, fillers, resins, additives, hardeners, and and so on are all notwithstanding nowadays, which means well-nigh mod articulate coats are niggling more than a transparent urethane "topping." Acrylic enamels, on the other paw, are what yous volition find on vintage painted vehicles, which do not require a hardener to role, only are far more susceptible to habiliment-and-tear.

Speaking of wearable-and-tear, there's a common misconception that all articulate coats rely upon polymers for protection against UV rays and airborne contaminants. This is both true and false.

While polymers practice assistance foreclose harmful elements from penetrating the pigmented base coat paint underneath, it tends to have i hell of a chirapsia in the procedure. If clear coat is the epidermis of an machine, then the paint and the primer underneath is the hypodermis, with the blank metallic and plastic below information technology all being tissue and bone.

Much similar the human torso, extended exposure to harmful UV rays, blunt impacts, sharp scratches, and corrosive chemicals will eventually cause the clear glaze to fail. There's a reason why we slap-on sunblock, strap-on a helmet, and stuff gloves on our hands, and the same goes for our motorcar's clear coats. Waxing, sealants, pigment protection films (PPF), vinyl wraps, and our personal favorite, ceramic coatings, all serve as a form of protection for your vehicle's painted panels. Simply what happens when this "automotive armor" doesn't cut the kimchi, and the clear glaze underneath gets damaged?

Quick Nerd Notation: Clear glaze non but provide protection to the car's pigment, but they also make repairs and maintenance far easier. These colorless paints also add together gloss and depth to the machine's finish, and are available in a wide array of sheens and strengths.

What Happens When a Articulate Coat Becomes Damaged?

A prime example of what light car paint surface scratches look like. Minor blemishes such as these can often be remedied with a bit of polishing and some elbow grease. Photo Credit: Micah Wright
A prime number example of what lite car paint surface scratches wait like. Minor blemishes such as these can ofttimes be remedied with a bit of polishing and some elbow grease. Photo Credit: Micah Wright

Oh-Shit… Scratches

Modern automotive clear coatings may be more resilient than always, but they are still far from invincible. While these colorless coatings exercise indeed help reduce the risk of things like oxidation from forming, they are prone to scratching, and therefore require occasional paint correction.

But pigment correction contains its own risks as well, for those polishing/cutting compounds tin can harm the clear coat faster than y'all can say, "Delight laissez passer the penicillin." So be wary when attempting to repair an automotive pigment scratch on your own, because if you aren't careful, yous may do more harm than good.

A prime example of what clear coat oxidation and fade look like on the hood of a car once they have been allowed to fester. Photo Credit: Micah Wright
A prime example of what articulate coat oxidation and fade look like on the hood of a car once they have been allowed to fester. Photo Credit: Micah Wright

Feeling a Scrap… Faded?

Clear coats are as well susceptible to fade, which ofttimes is the straight result of extended amounts of exposure to direct sunlight, and the implementation of improper machine cleaning methods. Not only does the apply of pH-heavy products like dish lather consume-up a clear glaze faster than a tiny Japanese dude at a hot dog eating competition, only surface contaminants besides make their oxidizing marking.

Everything from organic animal excrement and tree resin, to human being-made chemicals and airborne pollution are quick to fuck-upwards a perfectly good clear glaze. When this oxidation occurs, the terminate will become foggy, or faded, causing the paint underneath to appear dull.

Quick Nerd Note: The areas near prone to scratch damage include the roof, hood, doors, and front-end of the vehicle, including the bumper, grille, and fenders.

What Causes Clear Glaze Peeling?

Clearcoat peeling is caused by extremely cold weather, UV rays, and chemical agents and cleaners

When a automobile'due south clear glaze begins to skin, the majority of the time information technology is due to piss-poor automotive detailing routines (or none whatsoever), exposure to the elements, and contact with harsh chemicals and cleaning agents. While there are numerous other causes of clear coat peel, the post-obit 3 offenders are the almost common causes behind peeling paint jobs.

1. Extreme Weather condition

Extreme weather calls for extreme snow removal solutions. Would you consider this machine to be a bit too extreme, or just right? Photo Credit: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/Facebook
Extreme conditions calls for extreme snow removal solutions. Would y'all consider this machine to be a bit as well extreme, or just right?
Photo Credit: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/Facebook

Articulate coat peeling is oftentimes the direct result of extended exposure to extreme weather, especially when a wintry mix is the primary suspect. Extreme cold has been known to cause older clear coats to go brittle, while straight-line wintry winds are notorious for slinging all fashion of abrasive debris up against body panels. Meanwhile, corrosion comes into the equation courtesy of route salt, while unhurt, sleet, and various other forms of unpleasant precipitation adhere to surfaces. Try and scrape them off, and ZINGO! y'all've only scratched and peeled away a fatty slice of that oh-so crucial automotive articulate coat.

2. UV Rays

Automotive clear coatings fade due to excessive exposure to direct sunlight and cause the paint underneath to appear dull

Oxidation, which oftentimes leads to peeling clear coat, is typically the straight result of prolonged periods of exposure to UV rays. As these harmful rays from our sun begin to penetrate the articulate glaze, the protective layer begins to harden, or dry-out, and then as it lifts from the surface, information technology gradually begins to flake away. On the bright side, if defenseless early enough, oxidation tin exist halted and reversed, thus preventing potential damage from occurring to the pigmented undercoatings underneath.

3. Harsh Chemicals and Household Cleaners

Never use household cleaning chemicals or kitchen soaps and detergents on an automobile, as they may damage the clear coat.
Never use household cleaning chemicals or kitchen soaps and detergents on an automobile, as they may damage the clear coat.

The final set on on car clear coats, is probably the most easily avoidable. Harsh cleaning chemicals and ordinary household cleaners are the bane of any automotive clear coat. For as resilient as a clear glaze may exist, they are quick to succumb to scrubbing and disinfecting products with crazy high pH levels, as well as alkaline-rich chemicals. There's a really proficient reason why automotive specific shampoos were invented, and why millions of car detailing professionals rely upon these products every single 24-hour interval.

Quick Nerd Notation: Most automakers treat their clear coat formulas like closely guarded tabloid secrets. This ways that body shops only accept the ability to "friction match" the coating, and accept no way of replicating it. However, being that most people cannot tell the difference, and but give a shit about the finish, this discrepancy very rarely becomes a concern.

How to Repair a Automobile With Peeling Articulate Coat

Yet another vehicle with high levels of oxidation and peeling clear coat. Tell-tale signs that a little transparent TLC and elbow grease need to be in order.
Still another vehicle with high levels of oxidation and peeling clear glaze. Tell-tale signs that a little transparent TLC and elbow grease demand to exist in gild.

If the clear coat appears to require more than simply a dash of polishing compound and paint correction, most people will hang up their DIY gloves, and plow toward a standoff repair specialist. Repairing or replacing this transparent protective paint layer on 1'due south own typically requires quite a bit of care and some grade of familiarity with the subject.

Fortunately, at that place are a handful of straightforward DIY steps that can exist taken prior to throwing-in the proverbial microfiber towel, and phoning the local paint repair job. While there surely are endless other preferred methods and materials used by professionals and DIYers alike, the post-obit five clear glaze repair steps are the widely accepted norm for most "rattle tin can" clear coat fixes.

Pace 1: Clean the Impacted Area

Super clean surfaces return clean results. It's that simple.
Super clean surfaces return clean results. Information technology'due south that simple.

Before beginning any fix, it is ever advisable to thoroughly clean the damaged area in question. Just because you will be removing the top layer of the articulate coat, doesn't mean that you can skimp on the whole "disinfect and inspect" stage. Whatever number of underlying upshot could be lurking beneath a layer of crud or route salt. Exposing these issues prior to getting started volition help prevent you having to go back in and ready these maladies down the line.

Visually inspecting and determining the extent of harm is but ane of the benefits to cleaning prep. Contaminants are forever quick to embed in articulate coats and pigmented layers of paint. This oftentimes will lead to oxidation, which is precisely what yous are trying to eliminate and/or avoid in the first place.

Washing the unabridged trunk panel or department of the vehicle in question is a good thought also. Don't just scrub the area where the articulate coat is kickoff to pull-back from the hood. Exist thorough, and wash the whole damn hood. The best way to accomplish this is past using the two-buckets-and-a-beer car washing technique. This time-proven approach relies upon a bucket of freshwater for rinsing later on each scrub, and a separate bucket of water that's been spiked with a pH neutral automotive shampoo.

As for the beer, it's sole purpose is to provide "moral support" and refreshment. And then sip and enjoy, every bit you wick away any remaining moisture with a fluffy microfiber towel.

Pace 2: Inspect the Damage

There are many types of automotive paint defects. Some of are prone to merely damaging clear coat, while others go far deeper.
In that location are many types of automotive paint defects. Some of are prone to merely damaging clear coat, while others get in deeper.

Next upwards, conduct a detailed inspection of the paint damage. If the clear coat is showing signs of peeling, then paint correction via the use of a polishing/cutting chemical compound is probably out of the question. Whatever damage that goes beyond oxidation typically requires removing the tiptop layer of clear coat with sandpaper. This will be an extremely labor intensive, progressive process, equally removal is oftentimes completed via the use of sandpaper ranging in grit from 800 to 2,000 as it gets progressively milder.

Step 3: Protect Thy Vehicle… and Thyself

Wearing a respirator mask can spell the difference between a job well-done, and a brain cell count that's on par with cup of pudding. Photo Credit: Micah Wright
Wearing a respirator mask tin spell the difference between a task well-done, and a brain prison cell count that's on par with a cup of pudding.
Photograph Credit: Micah Wright

Before y'all begin removing the clear glaze, you volition need to protect your vehicle and yourself. The dust that gets kicked-upwards past the sandpapering process gets everywhere, and beingness that it tends to be highly annoying, additional steps will need to be taken in order to prevent it from being ground into other areas.

To protect the more pristine surrounding areas, applying painters record and newspaper, or swaths of painter's masking paper will exist necessary. Just tape off the sections effectually the compromised clear glaze, and don't forget to slap on a dust mask to ensure that you don't inhale any of the grit from the scrubbing session that ensues. The same goes for when it comes time to spray the clear coat, as a professional course respirator will both protect your lungs, and prevent any "cloudy-headed" mishaps from occurring.

Step 4: Remove That Crappy Sometime Clear Coat

An illustration of what areas of a car's painted exterior can be safely polished/paint corrected, and what should be left to the professionals.
An illustration of what areas of a machine'due south painted outside can be safely polished/pigment corrected, and what should exist left to the professionals.

The issue with correctly removing spot-damaged articulate coat, is that for equally simple every bit information technology sounds, the sanding process tends to be a painstakingly technical, tiresome job. A solid understanding of pigment conditions, sandpaper grit progression, and appropriate levels of applied force all must be weighed. This is the phase of articulate coat correction where well-nigh people will fuck-up and be forced to telephone a friend, family member, or local body repair shop for assist.

Scotch-Brite by 3M makes a series of scouring hand pads that are ideal for clear coat paint correction procedures. Photo Credit: 3M
Scotch-Brite by 3M makes a series of scouring hand pads that are ideal for clear coat paint correction procedures. Photo Credit: 3M

To cut down on this risk of royally ruining your paint task, turn toward a mid- to low-grade "Scotch-Brite Hand Pad" for aid instead. These synthetic, Silicon Carbide Mineral based scouring pads are an outstanding low-pressure alternative to sandpaper, and are known for being far more forgiving, all while producing a superior end.

Simply utilize the Scotch-Brite pad to scuff off any larger flakes or peeling, and so gradually begin removing the pinnacle layer of damaged clear coat, starting with the edges, and moving toward the middle. Compromised clear coat safely removed, use a microfiber fabric you don't give a crap about to remove any dust or contaminants lingering around the area.

Footstep 5: Spray Some Fresh Clear Glaze

While there are a handful of highly recommended "rattle-can" clear coat products on the market, they all suggest the same thing: A thorough shake prior to application, followed by a prolonged curing time for maximum adhesion and leveling.
While there are a handful of highly recommended "rattle-tin can" articulate coat products on the market, they all advise the same thing: A thorough milkshake prior to application, followed past a prolonged curing fourth dimension for maximum adhesion and leveling.

Once the damaged clear glaze in question has been removed, wipe all of the surfaces you plan on articulate coating with a properly mixed isopropyl alcohol (IPA) alloy. This will help guarantee that the area that'south about to get sprayed in clear coat is completely devoid of foreign contaminants and debris.

Once wiped and dried, y'all will need to apply three (3) layers of articulate glaze. Blended clear coatings that incorporate a specialized hardening agent will assistance cut awarding and curing times, and can be found both online and in well-nigh professional paint supply stores. Many of these products too tend to be scratch resistant and will outlive traditional clear coats. While traditional applications required the utilize of expensive auto paint application tools, brands similar Spray Max and Rust-Oleum have made clear glaze touch-up work a cinch thank you to the invention of rapid-drying aerosol applications.

For "rattle-tin" applications, follow these steps:

  • Shake the can well for at to the lowest degree i (1) infinitesimal.
  • Remove the activator and install information technology on the bottom of the can (if you lot're using an all-in-one blended clear glaze and hardener, keep shaking for another two (ii) minutes.
  • Employ the first glaze and allow it to dry.
  • Complete this stride 3 (three) times, following the suggested await times between coatings.
  • Once the clear coat has been sprayed, wait a minimum of 2 hours before removing the masking tape and/or paper.
  • Await at least 48 hours before proceeding to the final finishing step.

Step half dozen: Alloy the Sometime With the New

A prime example of what old, severely damaged automotive clear coat looks like when allowed to fester in the hot sun.
A prime example of what onetime, severely damaged automotive articulate coat looks like when allowed to fester in the hot sun.

Bold yous only completed a single department and non an entire panel, blending the freshly sprayed articulate coat with the older coating will be the final procedure.

This footstep requires the employ of a variable speed polisher or rotary buffer, along with various microfiber buffing pads, and both medium and mild grade cutting compounds. Past carefully moving the polisher in the direction that will blend the older clear glaze into the new coating, you lot volition be able to blur the lines between the two, and not damage the fresh coating. One time blended to the bespeak where the deviation between old and new clear coats becomes indistinguishable, towel everything off once more with a microfiber fabric, and stand back to adore your handiwork.

Quick Nerd Note: Traditionally, the method of wet-sanding with super fine sandpaper would be utilized at this indicate, a technique that allows far greater levels of control, only suffers in the time direction department.

How to Reduce the Risk of Clear Coat Peeling

Armor Shield IX nano ceramic coating will protect virtually any hard surface, including clear coatings, plastics, headlamps, chrome, carbon fiber, powder coatings, vinyl wrap, PPF, chiseled abs of iron, and more... Photo Credit: Garrybigdog1414
Armor Shield IX nano ceramic blanket volition protect virtually whatever difficult surface, including clear coatings, plastics, headlamps, chrome, carbon fiber, pulverisation coatings, vinyl wrap, PPF, chiseled abs of iron, and more… Photo Credit: Garrybigdog1414

By this point information technology should be obvious that repairing peeling or damaged clear coats is a royal pain in the ass. DIY clear coat repair work is also one of those fixes that runs the take a chance of turning into a hot mess if tackled past inexperienced easily. We're talking farthermost levels of haggardly hot mess here folks. A boozer uncle on a weekend bender in Reno with entirely too much greenbacks sort of hot mess.

In order to reduce the potential risk of clear glaze harm happening over again (or to protect their new car's crystal clear smooth), more and more people take begun applying 9H-rated nano ceramic coating to their vehicle'due south exterior.

A high-quality DIY ceramic coating like Armor Shield IX, will provide an ultra-thin, exceptionally strong layer of protection to nearly whatever hard surface. Clear coats, pigment, carbon fiber, aluminum, chrome, plastic, polycarbonate headlights, that bulging phallic hood decoration… if it's a hard surface, chances are a ceramic coating tin can protect it.

Parting Shots

Friends don't let friends drive vehicles with extreme levels of peeling clear coat.
Friends don't let friends drive vehicles with farthermost levels of peeling clear glaze.

For as useful every bit they may be, and for every bit resilient equally they may seem, automotive clear coatings are far more frail and finnicky than near people think. This is 1 of the primary reasons why and then many people have begun to plough toward nano ceramic coatings for protection and peace of mind.

When properly practical to a clean surface, and so routinely maintained, a 9H-rated ceramic blanket will protect a healthy clear glaze for anywhere from 2 to 5 years. No more worrying about birds, beasts, trees, or the elements shitting on your car'due south clear coat. Just lustrous levels of smoothen, and unrivaled armor enhancements for that car'due south transparent epidermis.

And so get alee and skip all of those horrid hours of paint correction and attempted clear glaze removal and repair regrets. Taking a proactive approach, and applying a DIY ceramic blanket is the clear reply when it comes to protecting your vehicle's pigment, and therefore the but question is: What'due south property you back?

If yous enjoyed this commodity, then you'll love AvalonKing's automotive care products for Do-It-Yourselfers. We create "No B.Due south. products" for an affordable price. And the all-time function, we care for our customers similar family, then if you have any questions or just looking to conversation about cars, we're only an e-mail or call away. Bank check out our homepage hither.