Buying a vehicle is usually the second biggest purchase a consumer will make in their life next to buying a home. That's why it is frustrating when the pain starts to peel after some time. So if your car paint is peeling off, what can you do about it? We have done extensive research on peeling automotive paint to answer this question for you.
The first thing you can do to address a car's paint peeling is to consult an autobody shop. The pros will be able to look at the peeling area to determine how much work is needed and the costs for the job. Another less expensive option is to do the work yourself. You can use paint peeling repair kits made just for vehicles. However, unless you know what you are doing, the work may not turn out as good.
Car paint peeling off is a widespread problem with cars that have been parked outside. In this article, we'll look at how car paint peels, its causes, and how to address it. In addition, we will take a look at what causes vehicle paint to peel and how to avoid it in the future, so keep reading!
Car Paint Peeling Off —What To Do?
You want your vehicle to look nice, and you want the paint to last as long as possible. If you are one of those unfortunate people who have this problem with their car's paint, then here are some things that you can do.
Fixing the problem is not easy, but some excellent DIY options are available to help you address this issue. You have to be careful of your choice. Ensure that what you buy will work for your specific vehicle and fix the peeling entirely and permanently.
Get a Quote from the Pros
The first thing to do is contact an autobody specialist and take your vehicle to them for inspection. They will determine the cost of fixing it, and they may be able to offer you some advice on repairing this damage yourself.
DIY Clear Coat Repair
If the quote is higher than you want to pay from the autobody shop, then there are car paint peeling materials that you can buy online or from your local auto store, and these should do an OK job at addressing this issue. Also, check out the YouTube video below on how to do this process!
Take a Loss on the Car's Value
Finally, if none of these options work for you, then you can always sell the car at a lower price, take a loss on it and buy a newer one. Sometimes, cars are painted with low-quality materials, and it's something you won't know until the paint starts to peel. Again, it's not a fault of your own. Sometimes it's just bad luck!
Stall the Peeling - Protect Your Car's Exterior
Suppose you don't want to pay the money to have the paint peeling fixed and don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, then you can slow the peeling process. To slow the paint peel is to keep the vehicle in a garage or under a roof. A garage is best because it will help avoid exposure to humidity and sunlight.
Car paint peeling off is a massive headache! If you are having this issue, then take some time to fix it right away. Please don't wait for it to get any worse because the last thing you want is rust damaging your car's exterior. Also, remember that if you do this work yourself, then be sure that what you buy will work for your specific vehicle model.
Why is the paint peeling off my car?
It's a common problem, especially with cars that have been exposed to the elements for extended periods. In some cases, peeling car paint can become so extensive that it leaves large areas on your car exposed. What causes this? There are four main reasons why the paint is likely peeling on your car. Let's take a look at each of these in turn:
Environmental exposure
Cars are constantly exposed to harmful elements such as sun, rain, and pollution. All those elements wear down the protective outer coating of the car, called the clear coat.
Clear coats protect the paint from fading and bubbling. Sun can fade or oxidize color pigments in paint and cause damage to the layers underneath. If left untreated, it can cause the color to change, metal parts to rust, and ultimately to crack. In addition, UV radiation will cause cracks in the paint film, leading it to peel off.
Rain also plays a significant role in peeling car paint. Heavy rain can wash away protective wax that is applied on top of the clear coat. When water penetrates the surface of your car, it can cause the color to fade, metal parts to corrode, and will create an ideal condition for rusting.
Besides rain, heavy humidity can also play a part in damaging the clear coat. Humid conditions lead to more water penetrating the surface of your car, which leads to peeling paint problems. When cars are not adequately protected from harsh elements such as sun, rain, and pollution, they will have to face paint issues such as the paint peeling.
Contamination
Another cause of car paint peeling is contamination. This occurs when water, cleaning solutions, or dirt seep into the paintwork.
As well as this, contaminants can be caused by inadequate cleaning to remove wax and other substances that prevent your paint from adhering correctly. Contaminants may also come in the form of tree sap, bird droppings, or other substances.
Neglect to Car Exterior
Car paint can also peel off due to neglect. Neglect usually occurs when the owner doesn't take necessary protective measures such as waxing and polishing. In addition, when there is no clear coat on your vehicle, it becomes susceptible to sun damage and corrosion.
Without the protective coating, your car will face fading, oxidization, rusting, and peeling off. In addition, when you neglect your car for an extended period, it may cause permanent paint damage, making your vehicle look dull.
Bad Paint Job
Another cause of car paint peeling is a bad paint job. No matter how high the quality is, if your paintwork has bubbles or poor adhesion, then it can lead to peeling off.
If your vehicle was repainted and you notice peeling, this may be due to moisture trapped under the new layer of paint. A poor paint job can even happen directly from the manufacturer's factory!
Do dealerships fix paint chips?
Dealerships will often charge a high cost to fix minor chips and dings. Be aware of these necessary repairs, as it can lead to rusting and corrosion underneath the paint layers.
The dealership may even be able to match your existing color, but they probably won't use the same type of protective clear coat that came on your vehicle originally.
Factory paint is tough to match to aftermarket paint. This is because the paint has to be mixed, and it can have a different shade even though it is said to be the same color code. So keep this in mind after you get your vehicle painted!
How much does it cost to fix peeling paint on a car?
The cost to fix peeling paint depends on the size of the area affected. It also depends on how long you have let your vehicle's paint peel off.
A small area may only cost around $100 to get fixed. However, it can become more costly if the paint peels in a larger area or peels off in multiple areas. For example, a complete paint job could be anywhere from $500-$10,000, depending on the work involved and paint quality.
Can you redo the clear coat on a car?
Yes, redoing the clear coat on a car is possible, but sometimes it can be hard to match your vehicle's factory paint. Therefore, it is essential that the existing protective coating be removed before applying a new layer of clear coat.
Clear coats work by creating an even layer on top of your color paint so that environmental elements such as rain, sun, etc., cannot harm your paint.
If you have to peel a clear coat, fix this by sanding down and buffing out the old layer of paint to level with the remaining car paint before applying a new layer of clear coat.
Is car paint peeling covered under warranty?
Many car manufacturers will not cover the costs of fixing peeling paint under warranty. This is because many factors can cause your vehicle's paint to peel, which are often out of your control.
The best thing you can do is to protect your vehicle by storing it under a roof, garage, or with a car cover. In addition, if you get wet, be sure to let it dry out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will cause hard water spots, which then can cause the paint to peel!
Final Thoughts
Overall, paint peeling is a frustrating thing to happen to your car. However, there are ways that it can be fixed before it gets worse. In addition, you can take preventative steps to avoid paint peeling from happening!
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I do thousand 15 Hyundai sonata limited 2.0 T has a massive paint problem and there’s not even a way to prevent it. I had no idea this was an issue until huge chunks of my paint. We’re just flaking off at the smallest touch or even just by driving my car and Hyundai won’t do anything to fix it because it’s older than three years of the warranty and the mileage in which I bought it at that point and now the biggest purchase of my life I haven’t even had a year yet looks like absolute trash and I don’t know what to do. I can’t afford to paint it. I’ve been doing research on wrapping it and probably wrapping it myself. I don’t know I just feel like this is a damn problem not a me problem and they should want their product to look good and be embarrassed to have so many vehicles on the road that look like chewed on crap
@Courtney Fletcher, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?