Black paint, what is wrong?

[cobaltlady]

I need some help... I have a black 05 cobalt that I believe has first signs of clear coat failure. There is 3 different areas on the car, the roof, the hood and the passenger side door that are not shiny and the roof is especially dull and turning a dull grayish.
I have always taken great care of the paint over the last 5 years so I am confused.

[Murr1525]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

Any chance of pics?

Not much you can do about cc failure.

[cobaltlady]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?





Picture is not that great. I working on better shot

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

Hi cobaltlady, and welcome to MOL!

We took the liberty of correcting the code to embed your picture rather than link to it, and we've also moved this thread to the Detailing 101 area of our forum. No big deal, just wanted you to know.



Now, it does look like clear coat failure, but it's very odd that you are experiencing this on two of the horizontal surfaces and one vertical, rather than on the trunk lid as well. Clear coat failure most commonly happens due to UV exposure and heat, with the heat of the engine sometimes exacerbating the problem. For your car to be experiencing this on a vertical surface is not very common, especially at the initial onset.

With you living in Montclair we know that you experience more extremely hot and sunny days than we do here in Orange County, but to see this extent of what looks like clear coat failure on a well maintained vehicle is unusual. What has been your normal course of surface care for this vehicle? Do you wash at home and wax every couple of months? What kind of wash soap do you use? Does the vehicle sit outside 24/7 or is it garage kept part of the time?

[CieraSL]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

What do you mean by great care? Are you doing at home washes and waxes or are you running it through an automatic car wash on a regular basis and waxing it every few months? The products in automatic car washes do tend to dull the paint with prolonged use. That could be what you are seeing. Not 100% sure. More info please!

[Tuck91]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

I am suprised a 2005 Chevy Cobalt already has clearcoat failure.

Any chance we could have a few more photos?

[KC's]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

welcome

[Brad777]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

I am suprised a 2005 Chevy Cobalt already has clearcoat failure.

Any chance we could have a few more photos?

Ditto. My Honda is nearly 10 years old and looks/shines like new. I would take it to your dealer to see if Chevy had problems with their clearcoat for that model and year. Meanwhile, I'd be very upset.

[cobaltlady]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

Hahaha. I’m sorry I thought the comment on the auto car wash was funny. I might be a girl but you will never see me at an auto car wash
As far as my surface care routine, I’ll break it down. And every product that I use has been a Meguiars product.

· Wash, weekly using gold glass soap
· Spray wax after washing, was using the Quick spray wax, changed to NXT Gen Spray wax when it came out
· Every 4 to 6 months detail car, in these steps
o Clay (just this past year)
o ScratchX,
o Polish
o Wax, 2 light coats

I have owned the car since july of 2005 and have done these steps as listed, without a beat.
As you can see I spend a lot of my time on the paint care.
The car is never parked in a garage and has always been parked in the sun, which I feel might be the problem also.
I did post up some more pictures, showing the problem areas on the roof more clearly.

And one last thing, I tried an internet search for the 2005 cobalt, noting any paint issues and found some complaints, little on clear coat issues, mostly complaints about chipping paint.

[cobaltlady]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/pho...p/photo/29025][/url]

[cobaltlady]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/pho...p/photo/29023][/url]

[cobaltlady]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

This is the rest of my car.



http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/pho...p/photo/29021][/url]

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

Yeah, that's clear coat failure. Pretty much your only option is to have the sections repainted.

I'm surprised that a car of that age already has some significant clear coat failure.

[cobaltlady]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

Me too. I am pretty upset about it. I love my black car and dont mind spending the time for detail work.
Thinking I might take it to the dealer and see what they say.

[Brad777]

Re: Black paint, what is wrong?

Me too. I am pretty upset about it. I love my black car and dont mind spending the time for detail work.
Thinking I might take it to the dealer and see what they say.

Sounds like you've done things right. Stay in touch and let us know what the dealer says.