Stop Car Paint from Peeling & Flaking: Expert Tips

There you are, cruising down I-70. Sun’s shining. Tunes blaring. Ah! Life is pretty good. Then you see it: A hideous matte blotch on your hood. That chipped paint spot is such an eyesore, in fact, that you consider faking your own death, changing your name to “Sven” and living out the rest of your days in Fiji. That would spare you the embarrassment of friends and family being disgusted by your car.

Of course, things aren’t that dire, though the state of your vehicle could be better. As fellow auto enthusiasts, we realize how frustrating and disheartening it can be to see peeling, bubbling or flaking car paint. But did you also know that peeling car paint can also lead to more serious problems down the road?

Consequences of Ignoring Peeling Car Paint

Ignoring peeling or flaking automotive paint can lead to issues like rust and corrosion, which is ultimately structural damage that is not easy (or cheap) to fix. The longer you leave that flaked paint untreated, the more extensive the damage becomes. That’s why it’s better to bite the bullet and fix chipped paint on your car before the Rust Monster comes knocking.

So, what causes paint and clear coat peeling and how can you prevent it before it leads you to play out your own Lifetime movie storyline? Let’s go over some of the reasons why your car’s paint might peel and what you should do about it.

Common Reasons Why Paint Chips Off Cars

First things first, let’s talk about the basics. Your car’s paint serves several important purposes, including protecting the metal body from rust and corrosion, enhancing its appearance, and increasing its resale value. But over time, your car’s paint can start to deteriorate for several reasons, including these:

Exposure to the Sun

While the sun may feel nice on your skin, it’s not so kind to your car’s paint job. UV rays can cause paint to fade, crack, and peel, especially if your car is regularly exposed to direct sunlight. Over time, the sun’s rays can break down the chemical bonds that hold automotive paint together, leading to that unsightly peeling, flaking or bubbling car paint.

Prevention Tips:

• Try to park your car in a garage or under a carport whenever possible.
• If that’s not an option, invest in a good car cover to protect your vehicle’s paint from the sun’s harmful rays.
• You can also use a UV protectant spray to help shield your car’s paint from the damaging effects of the sun.

Read more about how to protect your car from the sun.

Ice and Snow

While snow and ice might not seem like a significant threat to your car’s paint, they can actually cause some serious damage. As snow and ice accumulate on your car, it can cause the paint to expand and contract as it freezes and thaws, leading to cracking and peeling. Additionally, as you remove snow and ice from your car, you may inadvertently scratch or chip the paint, making it more susceptible to peeling.

Prevention Tips:

• Be sure to clear it off your car as soon as possible.
• Use a soft brush or scraper to avoid damaging the paint.
• Park in a garage to avoid ice accumulation.

Hail

Hail can be an absolute nightmare for car owners, not just because of the potential for dents and cracked windshields, but also because it can cause massive paint damage. The impact of hailstones can cause the paint to chip, crack, or even peel. Even small hailstones can be problematic, as they can cause tiny dents or dings that may not be visible at first, but can still lead to paint damage over time.

Prevention Tips:

• Try to park your car in a covered area during hailstorms.
• Consider investing in a hail cover for your car if you must park outside.
• Blankets can work to protect from hail, in a pinch.
• If your car does sustain hail damage, be sure to have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the paint.

Read our 12 tips to protect your car from hail damage.

Bird Droppings

Believe it or not, bird droppings can also contribute to paint peeling. Because they are acidic, they can eat away at your car’s paint if left untreated.

Prevention Tips:

• Be sure to clean bird poop off your car as soon as possible.
• Use a microfiber towel and a gentle, pH-neutral cleaner to avoid scratching the paint.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can do more harm than good.

Find out other, more in-depth ways to clean bird poop off your vehicle before it leads to peeling or chipped paint.

Tree Sap

Similarly, tree sap can contribute to automotive paint flaking and peeling. When that tree sap hardens—that happens quickly when exposed to the sun—it becomes almost like an epoxy that strips away your clear coat. To make matters worse, once that sap gets hard, removing it may require sharp, metal tools, which can also scrape your paint off.

Prevention Tips:

• Many of the same tactics used to remove bird poo can also be used to clean tree sap off your car.
• We have a detailed article about removing dry sap off a vehicle’s paint here, as well.

Road Salt

If you live in an area that experiences harsh winters—we’re talking to everyone here, in Kansas City—you’re probably familiar with road salt. While road salt can help melt ice and snow on the roads, it can also wreak havoc on your car’s paint. Similarly, pollution from factories and power plants can also cause damage to your car’s paint.

Prevention Tips:

• Wash your car regularly, especially during the winter months.
• Use a high-quality car shampoo and a soft sponge or microfiber towel to avoid scratching the paint.
• You may also want to consider getting your car’s paint professionally detailed to remove any buildup that may have occurred.

Improper/Infrequent Washing

Did you know that washing your car incorrectly can also cause damage to the paint? Using a high-pressure sprayer or an abrasive sponge can scratch the paint, making it more susceptible to peeling. Similarly, using a low-quality car shampoo can strip the protective wax and clear coat from your car’s paint, leaving it vulnerable to damage. And those automatic car washes? They’re paint-peeling devils—always try to hand-wash your vehicle instead of running through these automatic stations.

Prevention Tips:

To wash your car properly, start by rinsing it off with a gentle stream of water to remove any loose dirt and debris. Then, use a high-quality car shampoo and a soft sponge or microfiber towel to clean the paint, working in small sections at a time. Rinse off the soap with a gentle stream of water and dry the car with a clean microfiber towel or chamois.

Poor-Quality Automotive Paint or Clear Coat

Finally, low-quality paint or clear coat can also contribute to paint peeling. If your car was painted with low-quality materials or if the clear coat was not applied properly, the paint may start to peel off sooner than it should.

If you suspect that your car’s paint is peeling due to low-quality materials, your best bet is to have the paint professionally redone using high-quality materials. This can be an expensive process, but it will ensure that your car looks great and is protected from the elements for years to come.

Learn more about other things that can damage your car’s paint, such as eggs, pressure washers and Silly String.

What to Do if Your Car’s Paint is Already Peeling

If you notice that your car’s paint is already peeling, you may be tempted to tackle the repairs yourself. However, attempting to fix the problem on your own can actually make the issue worse and end up costing you more in the long run. That’s why it’s important to bring your vehicle to an experienced auto body shop for professional chipped paint repair.

Auto body shops have the expertise and tools necessary to properly address paint chipping and fix peeling clear coat damage. They can thoroughly clean the affected area, sand it down to remove any remaining loose paint, and apply a primer and high-quality automotive paint to match the original color of your car. Additionally, auto body shops can apply a clear coat to protect the new paint and ensure a long-lasting finish.

To top it off, good auto body shops have access to a wide range of high-quality materials that may not be available to DIY repairers. They can guarantee the use of the best products and techniques for a high-quality and long-lasting repair.

Need a quote for automotive paint or car scratch repair in Kansas City? Contact your nearest McCarthy Collision Centers at 800-NEW-AGAIN for assistance.

So, there you have it, folks. Clear coat failure and car paint that peels off can be a real pain in the rear bumper, but don’t let it get you down. With the right knowledge and approach, you can repair cracking paint and even prevent the problem from creeping up at all.

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