Clear Coat Protection or Don't Bother

transplanted on 17/03/2023 - 12:59

Bought a car last year. nice shiny paint, no paint damage, after 9 months parking on the street directly under the sun, no shade or trees, used once a week, clear coat started to oxidise i noticed, before I sold it some weeks back less than what I should get due to coat peeling.

It's also the same case for 2 previous cars though older their paints were near flawless until after a couple of years baked under the sun.

Should I bother with a car cover even if parked on the streets. or wax with turtle hard shell once a month, just so sale value won't depreciate much?

What do you do with your car, those without shaded garage, do you bother at all with the clear coat?

Automotive

Comments

  • MS Paint on 17/03/2023 - 13:03

    clear coat started to oxidise i noticed, before I sold it some weeks back

    How old was that car and what colour? My guess is red.

  • Drakesy on 17/03/2023 - 13:16

    All i can suggest is getting a vinyl wrap/paint protection as you suggested.
    Ceramic coats act as protective/sacrificial layer and therefore would weather preferentially - would make a difference if the car is immaculate.

    if its a black/dark coloured car it'll be inevitable if its sitting out in the sun all day.

  • Devastator0 on 17/03/2023 - 13:43

    I have a new car coming this year (Hyundai i30N Hatch - going to be my new daily car, won't be garaged and not parked under cover) and when it comes in, I'm going the whole hog on it. Paint Correction, Ceramic Coating, PPF. I have another car (2015 FGX XR8 - Sits under a car port but under a car cover) where I had it paint corrected & ceramic coated when I bought it (2nd hand) and it was/is totally worth it.

  • DannyC on 17/03/2023 - 14:03

    Depends… that expensive ceramic coating needs some TLC as well to keep it in decent condition to last a few years. Was quoted about $1350 to get it done to a mid size vehicle.

    • Devastator0 on 17/03/2023 - 14:05

      Yeah, if it's a quality coating and done properly, it can be pricy. On the car (2015 Falcon XR8) I had paint corrected & ceramic coated back in 2018, it cost me $1250.

  • boomramada on 17/03/2023 - 14:07

    If you want some paint protection, go for vinyl wrap don't bother.

    • kekw on 17/03/2023 - 15:12

      Too many complaints and warranty due to bubbling issue under hot weather at my local detailing shop, they ended up stop doing vinyl wrap.

      • Devastator0 on 17/03/2023 - 15:13

        Yeah, the vinyl wraps don't seem to do too well in Aussie conditions.

      • boomramada on 17/03/2023 - 15:40
        +1

        True but paint can still get chipped with the clear coat ceramic coat etc

  • USER DC on 17/03/2023 - 14:36

    I got really bad clear coat peeling on my car. Its still okay IMO
    I am like whatever, I got paint and stuff already bought. I will paint it when more clear coat peels off

  • spackbace on 17/03/2023 - 14:52

    It should last longer than 9 months, that's bad!

    Oh wait, the car was 8 years old?

    Why would you then look at a 10yo car?

    • transplanted on 17/03/2023 - 15:37

      that 8 year old was shiny too but too small, i got it with impeccable paint but uv rays are too much, even the black car seat was faded when i sold it, luckily i covered it otherwise the seats would have been destroyed.

      i didnt end up with a 10 year old car, i just lowballed and got a 5 year old instead

  • transplanted on 17/03/2023 - 15:32
    +2

    Bought nylon car cover online just now, cant stand the sight of the car baking all week in this shitty qld weather when i basically use it once or twice a week

    • Euphemistic on 17/03/2023 - 15:36

      Car cover will make your car ‘sweat’. No good for paint, not to mention the extra running it’ll get.

      • transplanted on 17/03/2023 - 15:39

        better than nothing at all, carnauba wax might help, but bird droppings, rain, leaves and uv ray are unavoidable until i get my own place with a shaded garage

        • kekw on 17/03/2023 - 15:43

          If you want to go the extra mile, ceramic coat it. Get the cheap ones like turtle brand and reapply every few months.

    • MS Paint on 17/03/2023 - 16:04
      -1

      Cheap car covers will marr your duco with all the flapping in the wind. Not worth it.

  • Euphemistic on 17/03/2023 - 15:38

    Polish it occasionally, it’ll help, but 10yo paint will realistically be toast and only last a few more years until it starts to look a bit ordinary unless you keep it out of the sun.

    • transplanted on 17/03/2023 - 15:41
      +1

      yeah, not really have much options, street parked, hope car cover can at least preserve the coat for longer

  • vodamerc on 17/03/2023 - 16:02
    +1

    If the car was already 8 years old and had a tough life in the sun prior to your ownership it was going to happen anyway.

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