Diagnosis My Paint Problem

[audreyln]

I stumbled across this forum in a quest to identify what's going wrong with the paint on one of my cars and how to best address it. I've been blown away by the knowledge base here! I hoping I can get some expert eyes on my car and some recommendations...

I have a 1997 Acura Integra in "Cypruss Green Pearl" - a dark green. The car has lived outside most of it's life in Colorado and now San Francisco, California. In the past year some "fogginess" has been appearing on the passenger side of the car on the horizontal surfaces. It looks like the paint has lost it's shine. The affected areas are limited to the front and rear fenders on the passenger side and the casing above the doors. The hood, roof, and trunk pieces are unaffected. I've attached some pictures below.

From what I've read on the forums here this seems to be either oxidation of the paint or failure of the clear coat. What do you think?

What's the best thing I can do for this paint job right now?

I want to keep it from deteriorating and turning into one of those disastrous clear coat failures that look like dandruff. I don't need the car to look show-ready, it parks on the streets of San Francisco where "love taps" occur all the time from others poor parallel parking. I just want to keep it from getting worse.

Fading of paint on fender versus that on hood.


Fading on above doors. You can see my lousy attempts at waxing this area by hand - it just made it look worse.




Thanks for the help!

Audrey

[greg0303]

Re: Diagnosis My Paint Problem

It's a little strange that just only some panels show this lack of gloss. From the pictures which you posted it looks more like oxidation than a clear coat failure.

I would treat those affected areas with gentle approach, like a cleaner wax first. ColorX or M06 Cleaner Wax could provide the muscle. If it's really an oxidation you should see gloss restoration after application.

As for your dried wax residue bove the doors here's the product to remove it:

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+M3916

[DrdetailNashville]

Re: Diagnosis My Paint Problem

Do you know if the affected sections of the car have ever been repainted? Sounds like maybe that is the case. I agree with greg0303, it does look like oxidation. A polish or compound should be able to return the paint to its original shine.

[audreyln]

Re: Diagnosis My Paint Problem

I don't believe they've ever been repainted but can not 100% sure as we are the second owners. However, there are no records of the car ever being in an accident.

I'll track down some cleaner wax and see how that works.

Thanks so much for the help!