Hardness Of Paint

[drummereef]

Hey All. I've been reading lots of discussion about the hardness of paint and what products would be acceptable for each type of paint. For instance, I've read import cars have softer paints than domestic cars on average. This brings me to my question... Other than spot testing each vehicle, is there a master list of different manufacturer's paints in regards to their level of paint hardness?

I own a new '09 Jeep Patriot and was wondering, from your experience, where Chrysler paint ranks on the hardness scale vs other new car manufacturers. Thought it would be nice to have a starting point from which to gather my detailing products and knowledge going into the detailing process.

Here's what I'm using so far:

Gold Class Wash
Smooth Surface Clay Kit
COLORx
NXT 2.0 Paste Wax


Thanks for any input.

[Murr1525]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

No, even different colors of paint vary, different years if they changed something.

The products you have will work fine on the car, though you may need to step up to something stronger when it comes time for defect removal.

[EmersonHart13]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

Yeah you just need to adapt. I came to find I have very hard paint. I started with Swirl X and a white LCS pad. I then bought ultimate compound and that got a little more. I will be ordering an Orange LCS pad soon. I am also thinking about ordering the M105/M205 kit if the orange pad doesn't work.

Yeah you end up spending a little money, but as they always say go with the least abrasive and work up....

[Eddie6th]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

I think this is something that is learned by experience.As said earlier,even the color's have varying degree of hardness.Also,with all the different paint manufacturers that are out there,I don't think it's possible for us to know who uses what on every type of make/model for every year.

A list like that would be great,though.

[drummereef]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

Gotcha. I understand the variables and such, makes sense.

Now this brings me to my other question... With new cars, aren't we really dealing with the hardness and clarity of the clear coat not paint? Isn't what we are really doing by detailing the "paint" is clarifying the clear coat to allow the paint color coat to come through? That's where the terminology gets fuzzy for me when everyone is talking about "paint". For older cars w/o clear coats yes, but for newer cars I presume we are preserving the integrity of the clear coat correct?

[Murr1525]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

Clear coat is paint, it is paint with no pigments in it.

But yes you have it right that keeping the clear coat clear is the key part.

[rusty bumper]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

You might want to check with a bodyshop and ask them about paint hardness on specific models.

[Caress Detailing]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

I would add that it also depends on a car if it has repainted panels or not. One combo might not work as well on another panel if it's been resprayed and has a harder clear coat.

[the_invisible]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

You might want to check with a bodyshop and ask them about paint hardness on specific models.

Believe it or not, I did that at a few shops. The guy looked at me weird and shooed me away. For some reason, a majority of autobody workers I dealt with did not like people asking them about their work.

The hardness of paint is determined primarily by how much thinner is used to dilute the paint. The less thinner, the softer the paint is. Also, the thickness of the coat of paint also determines hardness. The thicker the coat, the softer it is.

[drummereef]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

Clear coat is paint, it is paint with no pigments in it.

But yes you have it right that keeping the clear coat clear is the key part.

That makes sense, thanks. I think I was confusing the auto paint process with the woodworking finish process in my head. They apparently are very different.

[NiNe STaR SHiNe]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

There IS a "general list" in a thread that I read...i`ll find it and get it up here a.s.a.p.

[drummereef]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

Sweet!

[NiNe STaR SHiNe]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

I`m going to still look for the correct thread but here is a little something anyone interested in PTG`s and procedures for them ect...

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34411

[NiNe STaR SHiNe]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

oh btw...that list shows paint THICKNESS for a lot of manufacturers, but I have not seen or heard of a list that shows a general scale on paint HARDNESS b/c there are variables i.e. different types of paint on different panels, more clear coat on some panels than others, any respray or touch-ups will show a different amount of mills and almost for sure be harder or softer than the rest of the paint as well as higher/lower as well as softer or harder, and others I cant think of and maybe even more variables I have no clue of...maybe some of the pros will see this and/or have that general list of manufacturer paint thicknesses or maybe even can tell you what your paint is most likely on a scale of 1-10, I do know this...if you are going to start removing/correcting paint you should start with the least aggressive methods and materials and work your way up if your are not able to achieve your desired results with a test spot or test panel ect... Maybe get some macro pics/close ups/defect shots and such and then we will all have a better idea of what to suggest for your use =) as far as hardness, there should be some sort of "test" like the swipe test, or the squeak test but that is an opinion.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Hardness Of Paint

Hi Ninestarshine,

Just so you know I removed your duplicate post. In the future when you get the message saying that your post is awaiting approval just hang tight and we will get it approved as soon as we see it.

Thanks!

Mark