hard clear coat
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 401
Likes: 1
From: flowery branch ga.
hard clear coat
I keep hearing the new clear coat used on new cars is hard, making it tough to get swrill marks or scratches out. If thats the case, how do those scratches get in there when you are careful washing and detailing ?? It seems they just magically show up. What am I doing wrong, I wash at car wash and blow dry, use detail spray with clean microfiber towels.
thanks
thanks
Last edited by wide one; Dec 3, 2011 at 06:11 AM. Reason: more info
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
As you have noticed a harder clearcoat is "harder" to correct, yet still seems as easy to scar as a lighter clearcoat which is simply easier to correct thru polishing.
Unfortunately anytime we touch the surface with "anything" we could swirl or scratch paint depending whats on the item being used, its roughness, and whats already on the surface. As you surmised, most marring is introduced while washing and while drying. Both have some great methods to reduce (not alleviate) marring.
http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html
Unfortunately anytime we touch the surface with "anything" we could swirl or scratch paint depending whats on the item being used, its roughness, and whats already on the surface. As you surmised, most marring is introduced while washing and while drying. Both have some great methods to reduce (not alleviate) marring.
http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: DFW texas
Hopefully somewhere there is a chemical engineer that is designing a more scratch proof clear coat given the EPA restrictions.
but, I doubt it. I learned quick that if ou are OCD about scratches on your paint, then you might as well go ahead and check yourself into the closest mental institution, before the scratches and swirls drive you there. 
but, I doubt it. I learned quick that if ou are OCD about scratches on your paint, then you might as well go ahead and check yourself into the closest mental institution, before the scratches and swirls drive you there.
Last edited by hihoSilver; Dec 4, 2011 at 11:21 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
Hopefully somewhere there is a chemical engineer that is designing a more scratch proof clear coat given the EPA restrictions. but, I doubt it. I learned quick that if ou are OCD about scratches on your paint, then you might as well go ahead and check yourself into the closest mental institution, before the scratches and swirls drive you there.
but, I doubt it. I learned quick that if ou are OCD about scratches on your paint, then you might as well go ahead and check yourself into the closest mental institution, before the scratches and swirls drive you there. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 4
From: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused
The problems faced by Chemical Engineers as far as paint densities are concerned is that scratch resistance can be related to higher cross-link density and elasticity of the polymer network The theory is that a dense cross-linked (hard) paint provides better protection from scratches and stone chips, whereas a less dense (soft) paint absorbs the impact.
Hard and soft are relative terms; you can scratch the ‘hard’ surface of your car’s paint finish with a ‘soft’ towel with the application of sufficient (localized) pressure. Both pressure and mechanical stress are defined as force per unit area. These two forces are the subject of Newton's third law of motion; the law of reciprocal actions [: to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction]
So how can a dense (hard) clear coat be so easily scratched?
Force acts through a body that has a surface area; if the surface area is really small while maintaining an equal force, the pressure becomes astronomical and the object under pressure capable of penetrating the surface of an otherwise tough material. (Newton's third law of motion) That’s why a micro fine thread that is twice as fine as silk and a 100 times finer than a human hair, in an otherwise soft towel will scratch your paint. And the same reason a mosquito can penetrate a rhino hide with its proboscis (stinger).
Hard and soft are relative terms; you can scratch the ‘hard’ surface of your car’s paint finish with a ‘soft’ towel with the application of sufficient (localized) pressure. Both pressure and mechanical stress are defined as force per unit area. These two forces are the subject of Newton's third law of motion; the law of reciprocal actions [: to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction]
So how can a dense (hard) clear coat be so easily scratched?
Force acts through a body that has a surface area; if the surface area is really small while maintaining an equal force, the pressure becomes astronomical and the object under pressure capable of penetrating the surface of an otherwise tough material. (Newton's third law of motion) That’s why a micro fine thread that is twice as fine as silk and a 100 times finer than a human hair, in an otherwise soft towel will scratch your paint. And the same reason a mosquito can penetrate a rhino hide with its proboscis (stinger).
