Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

[deathspared]

So, I've got a Honda that has clear coat that is starting to fail. It is also in need of being cleaned with something like swirlx and my PC. But seeing as though cleaning the pain is actually removing the clear coat that doesn't seem like a very good idea.

As someone who has seen too many family cars have clear coat failure despite regular hand waxing, I am still paranoid about using abrasives on the finish especially once the clear coat starts to go.

What do you think?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

Once the clear coat start to go bad there's not much you can do to reverse the process. A couple of summers ago I had the good fortune to work on the original paint on a 1980 Corvette which is the oldest factory clear coat I've ever worked on and it was still in great shape so not all clear coat paints fail over time.

If you want to be careful, just use a light cleaner/wax on any portions that still have clear paint. Avoid cleaning, polishing or waxing the color coat as it will likely just stain it as it's very flat and porous.

[deathspared]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

I guess my question is more along the lines of, will I be speeding up the process of the clear coat failing by cleaning it? It is currently pretty minor, but I'd rather have swirls on my car than hasten the failure of the clear coat.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

I guess my question is more along the lines of, will I be speeding up the process of the clear coat failing by cleaning it? It is currently pretty minor, but I'd rather have swirls on my car than hasten the failure of the clear coat.

Cleaning lightly, then sealing it will do more to help preserve the paint. Waxes and paint sealants will last longer if the paint is clean.

[specto]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

I also have minor spots on my roof where the clear is beginning to fail...would Meguiar's M2016 be the best sealant for this job or would a regular application of NXT 2.0 be just as good? (I already have NXT and would prefer not spending more on another sealant if it will do the same job, however if it is neccessary i will)

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

Any wax would be fine, just be gentle.

Same as claying, and using a mild cleaner.... just be gentle.

[specto]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

Would ScracthX or SwirlX be considered a mild cleaner? Or something even more mild as the Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner?

[Johnson]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

Can you burn the clear coat using the G110? I would guess the answer is no..

A few guys at work thought was worried that I would burn the clear coat using the DA..

If a clear coat is bad.. How would you fix it? Just for curiosity..
Like on my front bumper, I made the mistake of getting to close to the bumper with a power washer getting the bugs off.. How can that be fixed

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

Would ScracthX or SwirlX be considered a mild cleaner? Or something even more mild as the Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner?

You could apply SwirlX mildly, or DC1. Normally you would work the product into the paint, but you dont want to do that on failing paint. Just wipe to clean it.

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning Failing Clear Coat

Can you burn the clear coat using the G110? I would guess the answer is no..

A few guys at work thought was worried that I would burn the clear coat using the DA..

If a clear coat is bad.. How would you fix it? Just for curiosity..
Like on my front bumper, I made the mistake of getting to close to the bumper with a power washer getting the bugs off.. How can that be fixed

No, you can not burn the clear coat.

If a clear coat is bad/failing, it needs repainted.

What does your bumper look like now?