Painting Clear-coat On Top Of Original Paint?

[sm02]

Hey guys. My Civic has its original red metallic paint job. Lately, I've noticed some cloudiness in one little spot on the driver side, and some chipping of the clear coat (about the size of a dime) by the H emblem on the hood. I have a friend whose brother does car painting, and I asked him about it. He said that basically there was no way to control something like this, and that once it starts you gotta let nature take its course, strip, and repaint. But I was wondering if anyone has ever tried just painting another clear coat on top of it all would protect it? Friend or not, the paint job would still run just under $2000, but he does a great job of it. I just don't have the money right now, and I'd hate to watch my car deteriorate. Any advice?

[shopresponse]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sm02 @ Aug 12 2006, 03:04 PM) [snapback]103555[/snapback]</div>

Hey guys. My Civic has its original red metallic paint job. Lately, I've noticed some cloudiness in one little spot on the driver side, and some chipping of the clear coat (about the size of a dime) by the H emblem on the hood. I have a friend whose brother does car painting, and I asked him about it. He said that basically there was no way to control something like this, and that once it starts you gotta let nature take its course, strip, and repaint. But I was wondering if anyone has ever tried just painting another clear coat on top of it all would protect it? Friend or not, the paint job would still run just under $2000, but he does a great job of it. I just don't have the money right now, and I'd hate to watch my car deteriorate. Any advice?
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This site is probably on of the most informative resources for Paint care. They also sale a lineup of high end products.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com

[dubcac]

Are you sure it's just the clearcoat that is chipped, and not the paint as well? As for the cloudiness, that can be fixed without having to repaint. It is most likely just oxidation of the clearcoat, and can be fixed by a good detail job with a high speed orbital buffer and the right compounds. You won't have to repaint it.

[sm02]

So in other words, my childhood friend is trying to swindle me? That sounds about right!! Hah! Thanks for the help you guys. What kind of compound? I guess the guys who will do it should know, but I like to know too.

I'm sure it's just the clearcoat because I can see where little pebbles have flown off of rock-trucks and cracked some microscopic pieces of the color off. And I can see the grey metal in those tiny spots (if I look with a magnifying glass, lol).

Let me go check out that link. By far, this forum has been the most informative and useful one I've ever used. I guess it's because I'm so in the dark about cars and I actually learn a new thing every time I log in. Thanks a ton!

PS. Those microscopic grey spots are nowhere near the areas I've mentioned where there's cloudiness and chipping. Is there something I'm supposed to do to those to prevent something terrifying from happening there too? Like rust? Or more chipping? I'm all about prevention people!

[dubcac]

If it's cracked the color off, that's in the color...not just the clearcoat. They can be fixed with touch up paint and a toothpick though.

[sm02]

I'm not worried about those little specks of cracked color right now (unless you say it will get worse and grow). I'm really just worried about the cloudy stuff spreading farther or anything else that might "grow".

[dubcac]

The chips won't get any bigger with time. Oxidation will.

[whycrx04]

The chips will get bigger with time, this is gonna sound stupid but the air coming across the top of your hood will continue to slowly flake the clear off between that and the sun baking the clear it will slowly continue to flake. I'd suggest having you car wet sanded and re-cleared, its far cheaper than a complete paint job and will look just as good for many years to come. good luck