autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum Autogeek on TV
car wax, car care and auto detailing forumAutogeekonline autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum HomeForumBlogAutogeek.net StoreDetailing Classes with Mike PhillipsGalleryDetailing How To's
 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    107
    Post Thanks / Like

    What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    While doing a biweekly waterless wash, I came across this spot, just above the windshield, behind the moonroof. It is difficult to take a clear shot as it is in the middle of the car. Does it look like cracked clear coat or a rock hitting that area?

    It is 2015 Subaru Forester.




    zoomed in



    And of course, how do I address it?

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Super Member TrustJesus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    San Antonio Tx
    Posts
    535
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    Hello, assuming it is cracked clear coat.

    If I had experience I would sand that area down.
    Then get a small primer base
    Then get touch up kit
    Then add clear coat (comes with kit)
    Then buff out.

    By hand or small 3” polish, seems like a lot of work. But time and practice is key.
    My goal in life is to love God, family and myself. To love others and treat others right.

  3. Thanks SixZee thanked for this post
  4. #3
    Super Member Rsurfer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    14,085
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    Quote Originally Posted by TrustJesus View Post
    Hello, assuming it is cracked clear coat.

    If I had experience I would sand that area down.
    Then get a small primer base
    Then get touch up kit
    Then add clear coat (comes with kit)
    Then buff out.

    By hand or small 3” polish, seems like a lot of work. But time and practice is key.
    ^^^^
    This. Looks like some kind of chemical ate into the paint. Surrounding area looks good, so more than likely not clear coat failure.

  5. Thanks SixZee thanked for this post
  6. #4
    Super Member 2black1s's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Simi Valley, CA
    Posts
    1,783
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    It's definitely cracked by the looks of it. Most likely caused by bird #### or some other similar chemical reaction with the paint.

    As for what to do with it... NOTHING! If anything, maybe apply a little clear coat over the area just to seal the edges of the cracks.

    Any repair you attempt beyond that will as surely as night turns to day look worse than just leaving it alone.

  7. Thanks SixZee thanked for this post
  8. #5
    Super Member Sizzle Chest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Naples, FL
    Posts
    5,881
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    Fractured clear, almost like when an egg gets thrown and hits your paint.

    I 2nd a most likely cause bird droppings...
    Scott Harle
    Autodermatology
    #autodermatology


  9. Thanks SixZee thanked for this post
    Likes Mike Hoekstra, Thomkirby liked this post
  10. #6
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Posts
    906
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    That looks like clear coat failure. It could be from a rock. Anyway, my advice would be to not touch it. You won't fix it and will probably make it worse. The correct way to repair that would be to paint it. It looks to be metallic and from what I've been told it's hard to blend metallic and have it look right but on the roof the owner might not be as particular.

  11. Thanks SixZee thanked for this post
  12. #7
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    107
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    Thank you, folks.

    Is there any chance that this could spread?

    I will just leave it like that for now. There is one more spot like this in the middle of the roof. I will have to get the ladder to go up and check it thoroughly.

  13. #8
    Super Member AutowerxDetailing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Sherwood, Oregon
    Posts
    2,791
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    Looks like tree sap etching. Must have been on the surface for a while. Now the paint's binders and resins are fracturing apart due to extended exposure to the sap.
    Nicholas Scafidi - CQuartz Finest Authorized Installer
    www.autowerxdetailing.com Auto Detailing in Sherwood, OR
    Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

  14. Thanks SixZee thanked for this post
  15. #9
    Super Member 2black1s's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Simi Valley, CA
    Posts
    1,783
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    Quote Originally Posted by SixZee View Post
    Thank you, folks.

    Is there any chance that this could spread?

    I will just leave it like that for now. There is one more spot like this in the middle of the roof. I will have to get the ladder to go up and check it thoroughly.

    It's not going to spread.

  16. Thanks Thomkirby, SixZee thanked for this post
  17. #10
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    107
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?

    Quote Originally Posted by AutowerxDetailing View Post
    Looks like tree sap etching. Must have been on the surface for a while. Now the paint's binders and resins are fracturing apart due to extended exposure to the sap.
    That also makes very much sense. Almost every parking spot in our development is under the tree. While I take care of most of the sap as soon as I see, I don't check the roof every now and then.
    On the other hand, at my wife's work, there is not a single tree so whichever sap or bird droppings are not taken care of gets baked in summer.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-14-2020, 04:41 PM
  2. Protection from pw wand hitting paint
    By KirkH in forum Tricks, Tips and Techniques
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-27-2018, 12:18 PM
  3. Autogeek is hitting the road
    By Meghan in forum Company & Forum News Headlines
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 06-06-2015, 08:49 AM
  4. I Just Witnessed a Car Door Hitting my Car :(
    By Andr3wilson in forum Off-Topic
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 10-12-2013, 10:09 AM
  5. Meg's new products hitting stores
    By IOMCAMARO in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 11-21-2010, 02:18 PM

Members who have read this thread: 0

There are no members to list at the moment.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» March 2024

S M T W T F S
2526272829 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 123456