There are two ways to repair clear coat peeling. First, you can scrape off the old clear coat. Second, you can respray the base color and re-clear the clear coat. This method is more time-consuming, and you may cause deep scratches that need sanding to fix.
Repairing a peeling clear coat
If you’ve noticed a peeling clear coat on your car, you may have a few options for repairing the problem. One option involves hiring a professional detailer. These experts can repair the problem in a matter of hours. But before you do anything, you can take a few steps yourself.
First, it’s essential to understand what causes a peeling clear coat. The most common cause is prolonged exposure to UV light. These rays penetrate the clear coat and cause it to become stiff and flaky. This can damage the pigmented undercoating underneath. Fortunately, if you catch the problem early enough, you can reverse the oxidation process and protect the color of your car.
Consider using a Scotch-Brite hand pad instead of sandpaper for a quick fix. This synthetic scouring pad provides a superior finish to sandpaper and is excellent for removing damaged clear coat and other contaminants. While this method is less effective than a sanding machine, it gives you complete control of the process.
After repairing a peeling clear coat, wait 24 hours before applying a second coat of clear coat. This will help prevent the new coat from being noticeable unless blended with the rest of the car. Afterward, you can use sandpaper with fine grit to remove any visible edges.
Another option for restoring a peeling clear coat is to start from scratch. This method involves sanding off the top layer of the clear coat. However, this is only a temporary solution. After a few years, the new clear coat will eventually fail. It will also be prone to oxidation, which is caused by exposure to the sun.
Before you begin repairing a peeling clear coat, you should identify the cause of the damage. The type of damage will significantly determine the type of repair that will be successful. Some vehicles peel due to prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions. Cold temperatures can cause the clear coat to become brittle. Road salt and other precipitation can also cause the paint to peel.
Preventing clear coat from peeling
Protecting your clear coat from peeling requires a few precautions. First, you should wash your vehicle regularly. Using good quality car wash soap is essential to keep your car clean. It will remove harmful contaminants and reveal the actual condition of the paint. Next, it will help prevent peeling by helping your clear coat stay in good condition.
Cold temperatures can cause clear coat to become brittle. Ice and snow damage it, as do road salt. Road salt is commonly used to de-ice roads in winter, but it is highly abrasive and scratches the clear coat. During these months, avoiding exposing your car to road salt is best.
Besides scratching, another leading cause of clear coat peeling is prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays. This exposure will damage the clear coat’s protective layer and the paint underneath. If you notice scratching, fixing the damage as soon as possible is essential. Besides the sun, exposure to road debris, bird droppings, and bugs can all damage your car’s clear coat. Even minor scratches or factory slips can damage the clear coat.
Using fine sandpaper can help remove scratches from your clear coat. You should start using 1500-grit sandpaper and then go up or down, depending on how complex your clear coat is. Avoid using a razor blade to sand the clear coat, as this will create deep scratches and require more work to repair.
Cleaning your car regularly is essential. Dirt, bird droppings, tree sap, and other pollutants will build up on your clear coat over time. Try using a cleaner with automotive-specific ingredients. If you can’t find one that works for you, try buying a sample size and testing it out in a small area.
When washing your car, avoid using detergents and household cleaning solutions containing harsh chemicals. This will cause your clear coat to peel much faster.
