How to fix peeling clear coat on car

My car’s clear coat is peeling. I took it to the shop, but they said the only thing they can do is redo the entire car body paint job. I really don’t feel like paying for that—isn’t there some kind of DIY solution? How do you fix peeling clear coat on a car yourself?

bellina gaskey

No one likes the feeling of going into a shop and being overwhelmed by the estimated price of repairs! Luckily, you can fix peeling clear coat on a car with sandpaper, a microfiber cloth, some polishing compounds, and clear coat spray paint.

As a disclaimer, this DIY technique isn’t intended to be a permanent solution. If you want to keep the car for years to come, you’ll probably need to get a new paint job at a shop in the future.

For now, though, you can fix the appearance of peeling clear coat by gathering the following:

• 800- and 2000-grit sandpaper
• Clean, soft microfiber cloth
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Wax and grease remover
• Clear coat spray paint (with a spray gun if you want)
• Rubbing compound and polish
• A buffer pad
• Painter’s tape (optional)

Then, follow these steps:

1. Wash the car with water and car soap to remove grease and debris.
2. Frame the area using painter’s tape (again, optional).
3. Sand the peeling area and some of the surrounding area with the 800-grit sandpaper. Work gently and keep the sandpaper wet. Try to sand down the peeling clear coat without dulling or scratching the good clear coat.
4. Clean the sanded area by applying isopropyl alcohol to the microfiber cloth and wiping gently.
5. Spray a light coat of spray paint on the sanded area. Shake the can thoroughly and don’t hold it too close to the car surface.
6. Wait five minutes for the first coat to dry, then spray a second coat of paint.
7. Wait another five minutes and spray a third coat if needed.
8. Once you’re finished spraying, pull back the painter’s tape away from the repair area.
9. Let the spray paint dry properly (which could take anywhere from an hour to a day).
10. Lightly sand the repaired area with the 2000-grit sandpaper. The goal is to make the new clear coat blend in with the surrounding old clear coat.
11. Finally, use a buffer pad to apply rubbing compound and then polish to the repaired area.

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Clear coat peeling can have negative effects on your car physically and damage the paint and metal underneath. Understanding what it is and how to fix it will help lengthen the life of your vehicle.

What Is a Clear Coat?

Essentially, the clear coat of a car is the third and final layer of a car’s paint. The other two layers are the primer and base coat.  The clear coat is actually a non-pigmented coat of paint that goes on top of the base coat to seal it. Basically, it protects the other layers of paint.

Does It Really Matter?

The answer in short to that is yes. The clear coat provides your car with the glossy showroom finish that catches the eye. It also stops water spots, paints swirls, and sun damages from hitting deeper layers of paint. It is much easier to remove defects in the clear coat than in the deeper layers of paint.

How to Fix Clear Coat Peeling

• Step 1: Clean Affected Area

Eliminating dirt and debris will allow you to see the problem clearly. To clean the affected area of the car, purchase any car wash soap and use a wet microfiber sponge to wipe down the surface. Scrub the area gently to clear away any dust or dirt, then rinse it with a hose. Finalize the wash by drying it with a microfiber towel.

• Step 2: Remove the Old Clear Coat

To remove the old clear coat start by taping off the section that needs to be fixed. You can use blue painter’s tape for this. This stops you from accidentally sanding other parts of the car. Then sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper until the area is smooth and dull. Sand a little past the affected area to create room for blending later. Once that is done rinse and dry the sanded area.

• Step 3: Protect the Rest of the Car and Yourself

This step is very simple. Use some material to cover windows and other parts of your car to prevent the clear coat from getting on them. Additionally, grab a dust mask and a pair of safety goggles. Park your car in an area with ventilation that has a roof. For example, an open garage.

• Step 4: Apply the New Clear Coat

Shake the can of clear coat spray and start applying it to the car. Hold the can about eight inches away from the car and spray it on evenly while moving at a steady speed. After spraying on the first coat, wait for it to dry. When it’s not sticky, it’s dry. Then, spray on a second coat and wait a couple hours for it to completely dry. Then remove the tape and newspaper protecting the other parts of the car.

• Step 5: Blend It All Together

After you are done applying the new coat it is recommended you wait for at least 2 days before blending the clear coat. You will notice that the area you painted still stands out from the rest. To fix this, just blend the edges by wetting the area. Afterward, wet sand the area until you notice the difference is faint and dry. Lastly, polish the area of the car with a rubbing compound until it shines. Try to avoid polishing against the direction you put on the clear coat, or it may cause clear coat peeling again. Wipe the surface and you are done!

Remember the best step is always prevention.

If the clear coat peeling how-to seems to be too difficult of a task, consider getting it professionally done. DetailXPerts has professional detailers with plenty of experience to make fixing this issue easy.

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