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.
https://i.postimg.cc/pL17BxZD/IMG-20200826-081047.jpg
zoomed in
https://i.postimg.cc/XYvmFXwj/IMG-20200826-081047-2.png
And of course, how do I address it?
Thanks in advance.
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.
Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TrustJesus
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SixZee
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.
Re: What is this exactly, cracked clearcoat or a result of rock hitting the panel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AutowerxDetailing
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.