A vehicle’s paint job is the arguably the most important visual aspect of a vehicle, and there are many ways to be proactive and prevent unnecessary damage to paint. There is a layer on top of the paint called the clear coat. A clear coat is the transparent protective layer applied over a vehicle’s colored paint. It provides gloss and helps shield the paint underneath from UV rays, chemicals, oxidation, and everyday environmental damage.
Protecting A Clear Coat
Ensuring the clear coat is protected is the first step to protecting the paint underneath. Keeping the clear coat free of contaminants (especially before using anything to wipe it) is key to preventing unwanted wear and tear on the clear coat. There are some environmental contaminants that can cause damage just by spending extended amounts of time on top of the clear coat, especially in the sun. Here are some examples:
Maintaining A Clear Coating
Some contaminants cannot be easily removed with a proper wash because they have become lodged in the clear coat. At this point, the only way to remove them is to use a clay bar or a clay towel (though a clay towel is less effective). Removing these contaminants before attempting to buff or polish a clear coat is paramount to preventing further damage to the clear coat.
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