Is this clearcoat failure?

[CieraSL]

OK, this may very well be in the wrong forum, so if it is, mods, please feel free to move it. I just wasn't sure where to put it. These pics are taken from the hood of my sister's 1994 Honda Accord. There was some evidence of this when she bought it a little more than a year ago, but I think it's gotten worse. She rarely washes it (it's been more than two months since it's last wash). I've clayed and waxed it a few times (don't see the point in doing anything more than that since she doesn't care), but if I touch it "without her permission" she gets all mad. She has said she doesn't really care about her car, and I'm afraid it's going to catch up with her when she wants to trade the car in. Anyway, enough of that. Does this look like the beginnings of clear coat failure to you? If the car is seldom cared for, how fast will this progress? The car sits outside 24/7 by the way. Notice the incredible lack of depth in the reflections.





"cat tracks" on the front of the hood. Pardon the water, it's raining today.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

Yes I'm pretty sure that is the very beginning stage of clear coat failure.

It's hard to say 100% with the pictures because the car is also very dirty it looks like.

Ryan

[CieraSL]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

It's hard to say 100% with the pictures because the car is also very dirty it looks like.

Well, what do you expect? The car hasn't been washed since sometime near the end of May. After it's been washed that cloudy area just stands out more. I tried hitting it up with UC once and it didn't even touch it, which is why I suspect it's CC failure. This car needs a polishing in the worst way, probably even a wetsanding. There are deep scratches and waterspots all over the place. It would really be a nice little car if it was cleaned up real good. But what do you expect from an 18 year old girl?

[Ryan L.]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

Well, what do you expect? The car hasn't been washed since sometime near the end of May. After it's been washed that cloudy area just stands out more. I tried hitting it up with UC once and it didn't even touch it, which is why I suspect it's CC failure. This car needs a polishing in the worst way, probably even a wetsanding. There are deep scratches and waterspots all over the place. It would really be a nice little car if it was cleaned up real good. But what do you expect from an 18 year old girl?

I wasn't saying that i was dirty to insult you or her, just point out that it's hard to be positive that it's clear coat failure with 2 months of dirt on it.

So yes, it is clear coat failure and there is nothing you can do but try to prevent it from getting worse.

Ryan

[CieraSL]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

I wasn't saying that i was dirty to insult you or her, just point out that it's hard to be positive that it's clear coat failure with 2 months of dirt on it.

So yes, it is clear coat failure and there is nothing you can do but try to prevent it from getting worse.

Ryan

I know what you mean, I was just saying that the cloudy spot is there whether the car is clean or dirty (and it's usually dirty way more often than it is clean). She only washes her car when she has a hard time seeing out the windows because of the dirt . I try telling her she should take care of her car, but she won't listen. Guess she'll figure out the hard way when it comes time to trade.

[3Fitty]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

Looks like the start of CC failure. I wouldn't touch it.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

Can notice it on the last magnified shot. Shame...they're nice cars.That one is a nice color too.

Is it just the hood or on other panels aswell? Might be worth a respray,if it's hood only.

[G_S_DB]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34014

Take a look through this thread from last month. Kaval does a good job reviving a neglected Civic. But when I asked him about cracks in the paint on my hood ('98 Civic), he said that it was a problem on many Honda cars because of too much heat from the header.

The "cat tracks" look the exact same as my hood. I don't have the cloudy area, so I can't help with that one.

[Calais]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34014


Take a look through this thread from last month. Kaval does a good job reviving a neglected Civic. But when I asked him about cracks in the paint on my hood ('98 Civic), he said that it was a problem on many Honda cars because of too much heat from the header.

The "cat tracks" look the exact same as my hood. I don't have the cloudy area, so I can't help with that one.

It looks like the beginning of clear coat "alligatoring". It is a form of clear coat failure.

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

it doesn't look all that bad yet, and a new paintjob would probably cost at least as much as the value of the car. I would definately use a pure polish to moisteurize the paint when your done buffing because I bet that paint is really reallly dry, at least that would stretch out the life as long as possible

[fzr confused]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

those cat tracks are VERY popular with honda's. normally 105 and a rotary can take out the cat tracks i hear, but i have no to very little success with my PC and 105 .

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

I agree it looks like the start of clear coat failure.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34014


Take a look through this thread from last month. Kaval does a good job reviving a neglected Civic. But when I asked him about cracks in the paint on my hood ('98 Civic), he said that it was a problem on many Honda cars because of too much heat from the header.

The "cat tracks" look the exact same as my hood. I don't have the cloudy area, so I can't help with that one.

Is it possible your freind can be specific about these honda failures due to heat from the header?

I've owned 5 hondas from early '80s up to present and have never had this.My civic is 16 years old now and for about the past ten+ years has had a header without the heat shield.

I can't see this as the problem,unless there are specific models which are affected by this.

[Ol' Red]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

The Honda guys call it crows feet, and I have heard there is nothing that can fix it short of a repaint.

[fzr confused]

Re: Is this clearcoat failure?

Is it possible your freind can be specific about these honda failures due to heat from the header?

I've owned 5 hondas from early '80s up to present and have never had this.My civic is 16 years old now and for about the past ten+ years has had a header without the heat shield.

I can't see this as the problem,unless there are specific models which are affected by this.

maybe it is more a problem with the US honda's? maybe they put on better paint for you all? i had a honda many years ago and had the problem too, and the hondas ive detailed most of them have it as well.