Hot take: New clear coats seem less durable than ten years ago

Honestly, I remember when a finish would hold up for ages. Now I see chips and fading way sooner, and it makes me wonder what got cut from the formula.

4 comments

4 Comments

spencer_owens581mo ago

Check out the changes in clear coat tech. They now use formulas that are better for the environment and resist UV rays more. My neighbor's 2020 sedan has no fade after three summers, but it got a few chips from gravel roads. So maybe it's not about being cheaper, just different priorities in how they last.

danielnelson19d ago

Miles_burns is right, read an article saying they swapped to softer paint for the environment but it chips easier.

miles_burns1mo ago

Yeah the "what got cut from the formula" thing hits home. I used to shrug and blame bad washes, but my last car changed my mind. The hood looked like it got sandblasted after two winters, and my old ride from 2010 didn't chip nearly that fast with the same commute. They're definitely making it thinner or using cheaper stuff now, no doubt.

keith7441mo ago

Wondering if it's the paint or just worse road salt mixes now. My buddy's truck from the same year you mentioned got hit hard too, but his work van from last year is fine. Maybe they changed the recipe for the crap they dump on the roads instead.