hairline cracks in clearcoat, Is there a fix?

[dimmwatt]

These cracks are very small and not noticeable untill I tried to shine the car up. I started with paint that was very dirty and rough to the touch. I washed then clay bared the hood only. I then used Meguires paint cleaner in one spot and Carnuba wax in another to see what workrd better.

The result in both areas was similar. The wax and cleaner lodged itself in teh micro cracks and made them visable. They were dark before and couldnt be seen.

Q 1 How do I get the white residue out of teh cracks?

Q2 Then what? How do I shine this car up without leaving little white lines all over it?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: hairline cracks in clearcoat, Is there a fix?

Cracks in the paint are hard to fix because the defect is throughout the layer of paint and not just on the surface, (topical).

What are you working on?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: hairline cracks in clearcoat, Is there a fix?

No one makes a polish or a wax that will fix cracks in the paint, it's a tough problem to fix. But for what it's worth, we have what we call "Open Garage" classes every other Thursday night over the spring and summer and there's 3 left for this year. Feel free to sign-up and come check it out...

Only 3 Thursday Night "Open Garage" Classes left for 2008!

October
Thursday, October 2nd Sign-up Thread
Thursday, October 16th Sign-up Thread
Thursday, October 30th Sign-up Thread *

[dimmwatt]

Re: hairline cracks in clearcoat, Is there a fix?

its a forest green 1999 ford escort Wagon

Its been sitting in the heat and dirt of Murietta Ca for the last 3 years. It needed an engine. Fixed that, now I want to make it pretty.

To clarify, The cracks are in the clearcoat not the paint. I dont nessecarily want to 'fix' the cracks, I just dont want the wax or polish to build up in them leaving behind white threads.

My dream product would be a wax that goes on clear and dries clear. Thus filling the cracks. Maybe it doesnt have to be clear, just not white when it dries. Maybe a colored wax? Is there such a thing?

I'll try and make it for the event this week. I live and work close to you guys.

Casey