Take a look at this paint.

[Rsurfer]

If my hood looked like that, I’d try rubbing transmission fluid on it. Have you guys ever heard about that 1? Looks like a perfect candidate.

Will WD40 do the same?

[Sizzle Chest]

I'm going with clear issue. That Tahoe I did had similar damage on the hood and first part of the roof right behind the windshield.

I kept asking the owner WTH did you do to it and he insisted...nothing! Now I kinda believe him! LOL

[Eldorado2k]

Will WD40 do the same?

I don’t think it’ll work the same.

[2black1s]

If my hood looked like that, I’d try rubbing transmission fluid on it. Have you guys ever heard about that 1? Looks like a perfect candidate.

I never used trans fluid but I'd expect it would make some improvement. Any kind of oil should work to some degree.

I've recommended "oily protectants" and "silicone oils" for old faded, compromised single stage paints in other threads. The oils penetrate the compromised paint film, brighten the color and even provide some gloss. I used this method on many old cars in the past.

How it works on compromised urethane clear coats I'm not sure, but it is certainly worth a try.

[PaulMys]

How it works on compromised urethane clear coats I'm not sure, but it is certainly worth a try.

The phrases "Lipstick on a pig" or "Polishing a turd" come to mind.

Temporary fixes, but worth a try in a pinch.

[2black1s]

The phrases "Lipstick on a pig" or "Polishing a turd" come to mind.

Temporary fixes, but worth a try in a pinch.

I'm sure you know I wasn't implying this as a fix... Only as a way to make some modest improvement in appearance.

[PaulMys]

I'm sure you know I wasn't implying this as a fix... Only as a way to make some modest improvement in appearance.

Of course, John.

[TTQ B4U]

Will WD40 do the same?

Yep. Typical buy-here / pay-here back-row trick. Growing up in the car businesses I learned a lot of silly tricks. Yes, oil or the like would work too. Lasts just long enough to get the papers signed.

[Desertnate]

My vote is clear coat failure too. What stood out to me are the perfectly straight scratches running in very long, straight lines with some intersecting at pretty consistent/precise angles. I couldn't imagine that happening naturally on it's own as part of paint failure. If you were in my part of the country, I'd say the owner used a snow shovel to clean off the car. Besides the clear failure, something very hard must have been drug across that part of the car.

[Bobby B.]

Looks like clearcoat failure to me, but that also looks abused too. Looks like it's been through a lot of "Automated Car Wash's" over the years or scrubbed very hard with a broom.