Frustrated with oxidation!!!

[Sonic Pilot]

Hello guys,
Hoping to get some advice here...

I have become so frustrated with my oxidation that continues to return. What am I doing wrong?

The vehicle is a 2007 Cadillac DTS in black and has what I would call "moderate" oxidation. Through compounding/polishing I can actually get rid of the oxidation (or so it seems) an get the paint to look pretty good! But just a few months later the oxidation returns. It starts slowly, then spreads like a bad rash!!

I have gone through this cycle a few times and am concerned that eventually I will polish the paint so thin that I will eventually burn through it. Can I permanently get rid of this oxidation...or am I just stuck in this viscous cycle???

Car: 2007 Cadillac DTS, black factory original paint in otherwise "good condition."

Products used: Griots Garage Fast Correcting Cream
Griots Garage Heavy Cutting Pad (orange) on a DA polisher
Griots garage Sealant

Environment: Desert southwest. Strong sunlight exposure.
Vehicle not garaged.
Washed by a "No-Touch" automated wash twice monthly and upkept with a spray detailer.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Bosko]

My $0.02

#1....your sealant isn't holding up after a polish. you will need to step up to a coating or at least a hybrid coating... like Meg's or can coat.
#2....the "No touch" car wash soaps are HARSH.....I mean HARSH....it is stripping off any type sealant you are using in the first wash, second at best!

[oneheadlite]

From your description, especially being in the south west with sun like you describe that you're dealing with clear coat failure.

My guess on what's happening is your polishing/LSP process is feeding some oils/etc into the failed clear, getting it to look better briefly until they're all absorbed then it returns to it's true form.

Tough environment for a dark car!

[opie]

Agreed on the clear coat failure! High probability thats what it is. Ive had that happen myself...only on a spot that have been repainted years ago. Looks good when ya buff it but it always comes back.

If you want to keep the car...DO yourself a huge favor and fix ut b4 the clear starts to peal off. If you wait till it starts to flake off then you would need to resprat base coat as well...which is alot more work.

Just need to sand the clear coat and respray the clear

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[duperdawg]

My $0.02

#1....your sealant isn't holding up after a polish. you will need to step up to a coating or at least a hybrid coating... like Meg's or can coat.
#2....the "No touch" car wash soaps are HARSH.....I mean HARSH....it is stripping off any type sealant you are using in the first wash, second at best!

This ^^^

Try switching to a rinseless wash instead of car wash and it will make your sealant last a lot longer.

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[tomsteve]

Hello guys,


I have become so frustrated with my oxidation.....

..... black and has what I would call "moderate" oxidation.

Environment: Desert southwest. Strong sunlight exposure.
Vehicle not garaged.

getting any black on your pads?

[Coatingsarecrack]

Pics would help diagnose also.


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[2black1s]

I've seen this phenomenon many times throughout the years, and you are simply fighting a battle that cannot be won.

The paint has deteriorated to a point of no return. Although you can polish it to improve its appearance, the strength of the paint film is inadequate to maintain that appearance. After polishing, the paint film continues to deteriorate at an accelerated pace when compared to "intact" paint. That is why your results do not last beyond a short period.

It sounds to me that you are a candidate for what I call the "protectant method" of paint maintenance. It's not a fix but rather a fairly simple way to maintain some clarity and gloss to compromised paint without constant polishing and the resulting paint removal.

Here's how it works... After the car is clean, wipe it down with an oily protectant (or a straight lightweight silicone oil). Apply liberally and allow some dwell time for the paint to absorb the oils then come back and wipe away the excess. The oils will saturate the compromised paint film and provide some clarity and gloss. Just like with the polishing you have been doing to this point, it will not last forever, but it is easy enough to repeat as often as needed to keep the paint looking respectable without removing whatever paint is left by repeated polishings.

The "protectant" is used in lieu of traditional LSPs. Traditional methods simply do not work on compromised paint such as yours.

[Bosko]

Pics would help diagnose also.

Speculation all day long until these.......

[Paul A.]

As tomsteve asked, are you getting black paint anywhere?

I think, like others said, your clear is thinning out quickly. If it's lived in that environment for 15 years its been beaten to near death.

I'm intrigued by 2black1s's approach. Might be worth a shot.