How to Repair a Clear Coat Lift

There can be very few cosmetic paintwork problems that cause as much concern as peeling clear coat. Unfortunately, there is no way to remedy the situation without leaving the base color exposed, and this would ultimately lead to corrosion and peeling paint. Peeling is caused by poor adhesion between the base coat and clear coat. If the base coat has not cured before clear coat application, the clear coat is not able to key to the surface of the panel correctly. This causes the clear coat to lift and the only way to rectify the problem is to paint the vehicle again.

Instructions

1

Take a sheet of P240-grit wet-and-dry paper and place it over the flat surface area of a sanding block. Immerse the block and paper into a bucket of clean water and place over the damaged area. Rub down the peeling clear coat until the edges feather out to leave a smooth, flat finish. Run a fingernail over the clear coat edges to ensure there are no further signs of lifting or flaking.

2

Progressively smooth the painted surface by rubbing down the damaged area with P400-grit and P800-grit wet-and-dry paper to remove P240-grit scratches. Rub down the remainder of the panel with an ultra-fine soft sanding pad to achieve an etched surface that will promote product adhesion.

3

Mask out the entire area with masking tape and paper. Activate a small quantity of automotive high-build primer and apply a dust coat over the repairs from a distance of 10 to 12 inches. Do not apply a full coat as the solvents in the primer and hardener will cause the clear coat edges to lift. Continue applying dust coats until the entire repair is covered.

4

Leave the primer to dry overnight so that it can cure and provide an effective seal over the lifting clear coat. Rub down with a damp piece of P800-grit paper to provide a flat, keyed surface and repair any damage to the masking tape and paper. This will prevent the risk of over-spray sticking to adjacent panels during the painting process.

5

Apply 2 full coats of base color, leaving an adequate curing time between each coat. Curing times can be found on the technical data sheets supplied with the paint product. After the second coat, apply a light drop coat onto the panel to provide the perfect surface for clear coat application. Remember to leave the drop coat to cure before further materials are applied.

6

Seal in the base color by applying two full coats of automotive clear coat. This will provide a protective shell for the base color and leave a high gloss finish that is fully adhered to the painted surface with no risk of any subsequent peeling.