Oxidation help?

[mred_baker]

I'm about to purchase a 06 truck that has been sitting out in the elements for a while and I assume it has not been washed or waxed in a while. Most of the truck is very dull, especially when you look down the side at an angle. Does this sound like your typical oxidation problem? Could there be permanent damage to the clear coat? What would be the fix to bring it back to life?

Thanks for any input!

[Setec Astronomy]

It's really hard to tell with some pictures. What is making it look dull could range from dirt to clearcoat failure (typically that would be on the horizontal surfaces, not the sides).

Do you live in an extreme UV area?

[Mike Phillips]

While clearcoats do oxidize they do it much more slowly than traditional single stage paints.

• Single stage gets oxidation
• Clearcoats get swirls

If you're lucky you'll be able to hit the paint with a polish or compound or even a one-step cleaner/wax (some call these AIOs but they both the same thing).

Here's a few articles on these topics....


The practical differences between single stage paints and a clear coat paints

The Clearcoat Failure Photo Gallery Archive

Beginning Clearcoat Failure

[Paul A.]

If you haven't bought it yet, i would ask the current owner if you can try something on the worst part of the paint in question. I would certainly want to know if a shine is hiding under chalky, oxidized paint or the clear has failed.

Good luck.

[crash93ssei]

More then likely it is just trashed from horrible washing and drying methods leaving so much marring and swirl marks that the gloss is all but gone. Even a good one step could very likely restore the gloss and make a huge difference. I would use the dull paint as a tool to try to get a better deal, buy it then clean it up and have a big grin on my face every time I look at it!

[trekkeruss]

What color is it?

It's probably just very dirty. A good washing, claying, light polish, and wax/seal will likely bring it back to a nice gloss.

[mred_baker]

The truck is white. It has been sitting in the sun (Texas) rain etc. The guy is 80 years old and got his license pulled a couple years ago. It's only been driven 3000 miles since 2011.
All horizontal areas are dull, and it follows on the vertical sides about a quarter of the way down. It was washed right before I viewed it.

[trekkeruss]

Ah, white. It has oxidized a bit...and while it was washed, I'll bet it has embedded dirt and grime too. You will need to clay and polish.

[DBAILEY]

Being white it may be single stage paint and not clear coated. So oxidation would be normal.

[mred_baker]

Thanks for the feedback! The current owner's son took the truck to a detailer and the paint was powder like, coming off like chalk. The truck will need to be repainted.