Having worked as a car detailer for close to a quarter of a century, I’ve seen certain makes, models, and colours consistently impacted more than others by environmental exposure. However, I can’t recall a time when so many vehicles on the road were showing obvious paint degradation as broadly as they are today.
Car manufacturers keep many details close to their chest, but we do know a few things. Modern automotive paint is generally thinner than it once was, and manufacturers now widely use more environmentally friendly water-based paint systems. This shift is partly driven by government regulations, but also by cost-cutting measures.
The end result is that modern paintwork is often more susceptible to environmental damage, with UV exposure being the primary culprit.
Many people are familiar with ceramic-based (SiO₂) paint protection products, whether professionally applied or DIY. Ironically, owners of cheaper vehicles are often the least likely to invest in this protection, despite these vehicles arguably needing it the most — particularly when left exposed to the elements without garage protection.
That’s not to say more expensive vehicles are immune, because they certainly are not. However, premium vehicles are more often garaged and generally exposed to less prolonged UV damage.
There’s no doubt that certain vehicle models, body styles, and colours — typically, though not always, darker colours — appear more prone to paint degradation. Different manufacturers also tend to fail in different ways, although flat horizontal surfaces are usually the first areas affected.
What do I mean by that? Here are some common examples:
- Minor paint defects, such as stone chips, can create vulnerable points where paint deterioration accelerates. In some cases, the paint — not just the clear coat — begins to flake away from that spot.
- Some vehicles show only slight flaking while the surrounding paint still “looks okay.” Unfortunately, this is often the beginning of widespread clear coat failure, and at that stage there is usually little that can be done to permanently stop it.
- I’ve also seen many cases where the clear coat turns cloudy or opaque. If caught early enough, and provided flaking has not yet begun, these finishes can sometimes be corrected back to a respectable appearance with reasonable longevity.
Catching It Before the Point of No Return
If you have metallic paint and notice peeling or flaking, the clear coat has already completely failed in that area. Despite what some social media videos may claim, there is no miracle wipe-on product that permanently fixes this. The only true remedy is repainting.
Some products may temporarily improve the appearance — especially from a distance — but the results won’t last.
Naturally, paint that has been properly maintained from new stands a much better chance as the vehicle ages. However, many people purchase second-hand vehicles, often without knowing how the paint has been treated over the years. Still, the paint itself usually tells a story.
If the shine no longer looks quite right — excluding matte finishes, of course — or worse, the surface appears cloudy or opaque, it’s usually a strong sign the clear coat has begun to deteriorate.
Early intervention is critical.
As mentioned earlier, paint correction can sometimes restore gloss and improve appearance significantly. Applying a quality ceramic coating afterward may help extend the life of the finish. However, predicting exactly how long that improvement will last is difficult because it depends entirely on the underlying condition of the paint.
No ceramic coating, regardless of quality, can outperform the condition of the surface beneath it.
That said, we’ve conducted our own long-term observations. More than three years ago, we corrected and ceramic-coated a bonnet that already showed early signs of degradation. The vehicle has remained exposed to the elements continuously since then, and the paint still appears to be holding up well.
The photos accompanying this article were all taken on the same day. I didn’t need to actively search for examples — deteriorating paintwork really is becoming that common. The bonnet that has been half done shows how far a clear coat that has degraded can be corrected.
If you are in any doubt Car Care have trained and experienced detailers who can make an assessment for you.