I might have found a good DIY fix to peeling clear coat.

Posted by nature_and_grace@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 20 comments

Took a shot at a quick and dirty "fix" for my peeling clearcoat. I originally got the idea from this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF5VqNjgFo8&list=PLlKtQhB2k7Tw_9e_pMswKBgeVhdGvRTor&index=45&ab_channel=SweetProjectCars

You use metal polish on a buffing wheel and go at it. I'm super happy with how it turned out. Obviously, you can still see it, but polishing the exposed matte basecoat to a nice shine and knocking down the edges where clearcoat is peeling helped a lot. When you are a few steps back from the car, you don't really notice it.

And in case you think it won't last, I did the mirror about 4 years ago using the same method and it hasn't peeled any more at all. Yes, I burned straight through the basecoat on top, but it was my first try. I still like it loads better than the peeling clear. I'm guessing regular waxing has helped protect it as well.

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pilot64d@reddit

a 2k clearcoat is the budget solution.

RileyDream@reddit

for a month

ShidOnABrick@reddit

Imagine being so confidently wrong.

Would love to see u put 2k over unprepped paint. lmk how it goes

155_80_R13@reddit

There was a guy on one of the subs that did that recently. Looked like straight up garbage.

What kind of dumbass puts 2k over unprepped lol

the stereotypical “budget solution” guy

That's a 2 component can.. You push a button on the bottom and it releases the hardener. I did it on my truck hood 7 years ago. Looks good still.

scoobsnfish@reddit

I've done headlights that were foggy with 2k clear, that looked as good as the day I finished them, 8 years later!

GuineaPigsAreNotFood@reddit

Shine juice!

SuperReleasio64@reddit

Don't forget the rebuild black for all of the faded trim panels

punkassjim@reddit

So, wait, the places where the clearcoat had peeled away came out darker than before? I’ve been wondering if it’s possible to just re-clear a car like this, or if years of sun exposure without clearcoat protection has either bleached or damaged the base coat. Got any insight about that?

Funny, I might actually follow your lead on this. Was considering either a wrap, or redoing the clear myself…but this technique might help me kick the can down the road until I can afford a good respray.

Never_Wong@reddit

Clear coat works as a UV protector. The base colour will definitely have taken some degree of damage over the years. Red on older cars is especially bad for taking UV damage, as the pigments used to get a good vibrant red are organic. This doesn’t look that old so likely isn’t organic, however any unprotected base colour will take damage in the sun.

I would sand it down and apply fresh colour and clear. But I also have the means to do it myself as I’m a certified paint tech with nearly a decade experience.

SprungMS@reddit

I found on a cheap car I flipped when I was 17 that the best thing to do was wet sand until the flaking edges were no longer flaking and smooth, then hit the whole panel with a decent clear coat. It costs next to nothing and if you’re good at laying rattle can paint (and not sanding through the basecoat) it’ll look about like new. Did a neighbor’s 1997 Accord because she was selling it and had a couple spots on the bumper covers, and she had seen what I did on that civic lol

nature_and_grace@reddit (OP)

Nice! What grit? I have tried something similar but used a lower quality clear which has since cracked.

Probably 2000 grit, but it’s been over a decade since I’ve done it! Flake the loose clear off first, needs to be completely removed to the point that the edge is adhered to the base. Can’t start sanding until then. Only really need to sand it to blend the sharp edge into the lower basecoat.