A job from two years back just came in for a touch-up and the clear is already failing

I mean, I did the repair myself on a 2020 Silverado door skin. It was a clean dent, no rust, and I followed the steps. Used a good brand of clear, the same one I always get from our local supplier. The truck came back this week because the owner saw some haze and small cracks near the blend line. When I looked close, the clear coat had gotten brittle and was starting to peel. It hasn't even been that long. I think the big change was the paint line they switched to at the shop about 30 months ago. The reducer was different, and the mix times changed. Maybe I didn't adjust my flash times right with the new stuff, or the hardener just doesn't hold up as well. Has anyone else had a clear coat fail way too soon after switching brands?

3 comments

3 Comments

cooper.phoenix1mo ago

Man, I used to believe a clear was a clear if it came from a good brand. A job came back on me last year with the same issue, tiny cracks after just eighteen months. Turns out the new hardener formula was more sensitive to humidity during the cure. I had to start watching the weather closer and adding extra flash time between coats. It's a pain, but that switch in products definitely needs a change in method.

fox.derek1mo ago

Yeah, and that's the real kicker, isn't it? You're right on the money, @cooper.phoenix. A good brand name doesn't mean the tech sheet is just a suggestion. I got caught once with a new "fast" hardener that said it was fine up to 70% humidity. Laid it down at maybe 65%, and it went cloudy on me. The old stuff from the same can would have been fine. Now I treat every new can like it's a different product, even from the same line, and do a test panel if the shop feels even a little damp.

anna_ross191mo ago

Ever wonder if the batch date on the can matters more than we think? I had two cans from the same shipment, one sprayed fine and the other gave me a weird texture. The only difference was a three month gap in when they were made. Makes you question if the shelf life starts ticking the second it leaves the factory, not when you open it.