Bad Clear Coat??

[Dkevdog]

My '96 just doesn't seem to shine up real well it used to (not that it ever looked that great from the day I got it in 99')



The physical paint isn't really all that bad, but it is very dull, especially the roof and hood. Seems like it won't hold clean after a wash and wax. I've tried buffing, waxing, clay magic, as seen on TV crap ... . all to no real improvement. A friend of mine has told me if the paint isn't bad that the clear coat may be toast. He suggested just having a new clear coat put on. Any ideas on this? Or should I just scrap the paint and have the whole thing redone? How much have others paid for a complete repaint?



KEV

 

[Randy J]

Dkevdog, before you opt for a complete repaint, I'd talk to a good detail shop. They will have professional detail products that may work better than the stuff you've tried already. Usually when clear coat is bad, it turns kind of chalky, and starts peeling. You may have the early stages of this, and may end up having to get it repainted. I'd say there's a pretty good chance that a good detail shop could help you out however.

 

[RADdodge]

I'd recommend Klasse. It's not a wax but an acrylic. It comes in two flavors. One is for cleaning, Klasse All-In-One (Clearcoat safe) and the other is just the sealant. You can use either one or both. Do a search under Klasse acrylic. I've used it for over a year and it's seems to be better than anything I've used in over 30 years. I'm using it on my red 3500. I've used it on my '78 530i BMW with original paint. It works. Nuff said.

 

[Cooker]

I'd agree on checking with a professioanl detail shop.



What color is the truck? If is it red, or especially maroon, who may have really have a problem with the paint fading as these are worst colors for fading.



Right on with the clear coat appearing chalky and chipping.



If you are using a wax to fix the problem, assuming it isn't faded paint and it is in the clear coat, the wax won't do it. You will need to use a polish. The wax is a protectant and a polish is, well, a polish. I prefer 3M products and depending on the degree of damage to the clear coat I recommend the 3M rubbing compound followed by the 3M swirl mark remover or 3M machine polish. These products are best applied by machine by a person who has a little skill with a machine polisher in the past. Variable speed polishers will work the best also, not the $39. 99 special at Sears. Although it will work too, but you need to be extra careful. Then after you have polished the finish, apply the wax.



I hope this helps and I hope that you can get it fixed without having to repaint your whole truck.



-Ryan

 

[Dkevdog]

Thanks

The truck is dark metallic green, I've been told by pros that darker colors fade the fastest. As far as polish vs waxes, I understand the difference , I just haven't found a product that will work yet. I've tried McGuires stuff as well as Allbrite (industrial stuff sold supposedly to detailers... ) I did have it detailed once by a pro, looked good for about three months then went back to itself again. Maybe it's all the acid rain smog crap fallout... ... .



Thanks for the reply's though, I'm gonna look into the Klasse stuff and check with a body & paint shop accross from work (also do detailing) and see. I imagine painting a beast like that ain't cheap.



Cheers-

Kevin

 

[Cooker]

I thought that darker colors fade faster too, but I worked with a retired paint engineer from GM one time and he said that the maroon colored vehicles are the number one color vehicle to fade. Wierd huh?



And recently, a friend of mine who has been painting show quality vehicles for 8 years now, told me reds are the hardest colors to maintain.



I have to believethere is some truth to it now that I have heard it from two reputable individuals.



I'm suprised a polish didn't bring the finish back to a lasting shine. Maybe you could try a more abrasive polish?



-Ryan

 

[Dr.Evil]

I had some stuff called "AUTO ARMOR" put on my '96 when it was new. I've never waxed it and it still shines up like new and hasn't faded. I guess there's some stuff called ZANO (sp?) or ZAINO that You can buy on-line that does the same thing. Oh, My truck's BRITE RED, I always heard that color fades the worst. I've also had a clear-coated vehicle that the clear coat pealed, What a mess! I'll never get a C-C again!

DENNY... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

 

[Hammer]

Kev,,You say you have tried Meguiars products??,,Have you tried their Dual Action or Power Cleaner to cut the dull finish at all,,I've seen trucks done by a buddy of mine with both of these cleaners,using a high speed wheel,and they come out very nice,,Keep in mind once done,apply a quality polish to seal the finish and then a good wax on top,,My 98 is Flame Red and in the sun will HURT your eyes,,Its been a year since mine has been wheeled with Dual Action and the finish with the polish and wax I use is still there,,I will wheel mine again before Carlisle Chrysler show to remove small scratches,,Wax I use is made by Hollander,its called UV-2,and I use the . 4 micron,,When done a light coat of Mothers Showtime is applied,, Since the paint on your truck seems to dull so easily,you may have to tend to it a little more often,,Let me know if we can help bring it to life again