Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

[jfelbab]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

Don't overlook the possibility that this area was dinged and repaired. Even if it's a new car, dealers often have a need to repair an issue and are not required to disclose this info if the value of the repair is not over a set limit.

[kev4bama]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

Do you mean the rest of the hood?

Or the clear paint surrounding the exposed color coat?

My best guess is for longevity you're going to want to apply some clear touch-up paint over the exposed basecoat paint to seal it.

Mike,

I was referring to the clear around the exposed area. I will try to grab a bottle of clear and hope it looks ok.

[kev4bama]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

Don't overlook the possibility that this area was dinged and repaired. Even if it's a new car, dealers often have a need to repair an issue and are not required to disclose this info if the value of the repair is not over a set limit.

I am quite intrested how I could do this by hand with a microfiber towel. Seems there was not much clear there to begin with. ? I guess the areas around this area could be tested with a gauge. Is there a minmum amount of clear thickness that is standard?

[Kickin Griffin]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

I am quite intrested how I could do this by hand with a microfiber towel. Seems there was not much clear there to begin with. ? I guess the areas around this area could be tested with a gauge. Is there a minmum amount of clear thickness that is standard?

I dont think there is a minimum level of clearcoat that a vehicle must be supplied with - legally ... certainly not aware of anything like this in the UK, USA may be different.

From seeing the cars I have detailed, there is quite a variety of measured thicknesses on a car, from different manufacturers and even on cars from the same manufacturer and the same model. It depends on the manufacturer (the paint spraying process), the car, what work has been carried out on the car previously amongst other things.

Typically, for a standard car which has not been resprayed I see measurement of between 100um and 200um. Cars which have seen respray work typically measure higher than this, and is a clue to when a car has had repair work. Thinner than 100um raises an eyebrow in terms of amount of paint left to correct, however I have seen quite a few Japanese cars running with thicknesses lower than this - as low as 70um being quite normal, the thinnest I saw was an RX-8. However these low readings need not always raise alarm, as typically there is still the same amount of clearcoat in place and its the thickness of the base and colour coats that are thinner but dont always rely on that!

In essence there are so many variances in respect of paint thicknesses that its very hard to call a "normal". Though there are ranges that as a detailer I would be happier polishing, and less happy to be polishing if that makes sense... It would be interesting to see the measured paint thicknesses on your car - in the region of strike through surrounding this and on other panels as well.

[Lydia]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

Hmm...just a thought, could the color be from the touch up paint? Or was I reading wrong, and you haven't applied touch up paint yet...

[Nappers]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

......The clear coat may have been chipped away when the rock hit it.....

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

This is one of those instances where it would be really cool to have seasoned pro that's also a member of our forum that lived in the area that could take a look at it and give us all a second opinion.

[Nappers]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

Try this tip for picture taking.

How to snap pictures of swirls - although not swirls, you get the idea

Take some pictures of it.

Also, you may see what your insurance will say if it is a rock chip. I would say for now to not mess with it anymore, sounds like the clear coat was gone when you started and you were working on the thin layer of the color coat.

keep us posted!

[kev4bama]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

I will try to take a pic once I get back home tomorrow. I am in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. Mike there is a guy with a Meguiars detailer sign on his business but I have never stopped by and seen him yet in Pelham, Al. Once I saw it in the daylight it is no doubt through the clear. You can see the dullness of the spot and jagged edges around it. I thought it might have been some touch up residue as well but when I went over lightly with an eraser when I thought that is what it was it took some basecoat off. I am going to have to touch up this spot as well It is about a nickle sized area , Good Thing is it is straight up and down area where the hood meets the grill. The rest of the hood is fine. It is all facing upwards if you have ever seen an 09 XB. Could a pro possible touch up this small of an area and add some clear to make it look decent without painting the entire hood since the paint is new I only got the car in September. Makes me sick because the rest of the car is perfect. Thanks for the help guys.

Kevin

[kev4bama]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

Well I decided to have a pro repair my hood. I was going to have someone install the 3M Paint Protectant film over the nose but I decided I could not live with seeing the quarter sized blemish daily. I found a local reputable body shop that has two owners that have a combined 61 years in body work. They are going to sand and repaint the area of the rock impact and clear coat hole and re clear the entire hood. The only place they are breaking the original paint is where the damage is on the nose. They are charging around $325.00 which I thought was fair and like Mike said you just have to learn your lesson and move on. The shop uses BASF Glasurit Paint only and seems to be a pretty good brand from my research. For everyone else dont put alot of 80 in one spot and press really hard with a thick microfiber because you will go through the clear eventually. It probably would have been smarter to spread a little 80 on the towel then lightly attack the area. I think I had too much product in a tiny area and the abrasives could not really break down like they are meant to,or I had the worlds thinnest clear coat. The owner told me it would look brand new again and will only take one day. One question I have though. He said I would have to wait 30 days to apply sealant ect which I knew. Is the Ultimate Quik Detailer safe to use on fresh paint or will I have to order something else? I am addicted to the quik detailer as I think it is my favorite product ever.

Thanks Again for all the help.

Kevin

[Nappers]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

If memory serves, the UQD has the polymers in it and will seal the paint, thus not letting the solvents release. Usually the recommended is 60 days.....may want to check with paint manufacture just to be safe.


QD is okay I believe.

When done waiting (it will be painful ) then you can give her a 5 step.

Glad you got her fixed and not cost you an arm and a leg

[kev4bama]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

I wonder if the polish the painters use when finishing the surface will provide any protection while I am having to wait? It says on my sheet here to wait 30 days although with my luck lately I might give it a few more. It will be in the garage most of the time when I am not at work.

[roushstage2]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

You can apply a coat of M07 or I believe Deep Crystal Polish. It will provide more protection than nothing, but you'll have to reapply it after every wash and possibly QD wipe down.

[tguil]

Re: Clear Coat failure on a new car using 80 by hand??

I'd use M07 and let it go at that - no QD. That's what the "old school" restorers would do.

Tom