49er

Just a question about painting a 98cl.

I know that clear coat paint life span is 5 years before it stops protecting the metal. But factory clear is a bit different it should last longer, if so when should a 98cl model be painted?
Year 8, year 9 year 10 or when visual rust appears on the surface.?
I noticed that acura MDX have a paint warranty of 3 years from the factory, most new cars have 7 year warranties true?

superj721

I dont know about the warranties, but my CL is a '97 and the paint still shines like brand new except for a few scartches and rock chips..www for pics... (and its been parked outside daily since 02/2001) I use meguiars medallion wax about 3-4 times a year. That stuff is amazing. I also hear Zymol is good. I think if you keep a nice coat of wax on the paint it could easily last 10 years and still look good. I have a buddy with a '93 accord and the factory paint still shines like a mofo

18anatak

Yea, i dont know where u heard this 5 year business. If you take care of the paint, it ll last a really longer time. A clear coat only breaks down if you leave it unprotected, i.e, not waxing it. My 97 looked great even before i had it painted.

Stapler

well it varies I think. It depends allot on how well it was preped and the quality of product used. Not to mention how well its taken care of.. If it is left out in the sun and never washed, or if its kept in a garage and cleaned every weekend.

They paint on my truck which was taken down to bare metal in 88 and painted with ppg products still holds a good shine, and its not flaking up or craking anywhere. Thats a good 16 years.

The new paint on the hood of the cl on the other hand only lasted till 01 before it started checking. It also so happens that the area that was checking was right above the exahst manifold.

Now if you look at 80's dodge vans you might notice that the paint comes off in about 1 square foot sections. Just falls right off the primer.

And lastly if you look at the 92 tarus that I had re painted at maco for 300 bucks They didn't even Bother sanding parts of the car, and it only took a couple of months for paint to start comming off.

viperkv

like they said if you take care of it it will shine. everyone one thinks my car is new cuz its still shines like it came off the lot. but iff you look at the front bumper and hood you'll see chips

viperkv

oh yeah use the cali clay bar. if your cars clear is a little ruff it will make it nice and smooth like glass. but wash your car first.

49er

Yea, i dont know where u heard this 5 year business. If you take care of the paint, it ll last a really longer time. A clear coat only breaks down if you leave it unprotected, i.e, not waxing it. My 97 looked great even before i had it painted.


What I mean is paint life span before it starts to break down is 5 years.
In cold, salty, snowy conditions esspecially with the new brine mix with salt they put on the roads it gets in every crack creaves. It may look good on the outside but deep under the epoxy primer you will see metal oxidization.

I seen a chopped up 98 Sunfire black with the paint stripped off and the quarter panels were rusted as if left unpainted for years at a salvage yard.

Remember everything in life has a life expectancy we all can't live for ever so the paint that looks shiney maybe hiding the oxidized metal just waiting to come up to the surface.