Will the original car paint crack?
2 Answers
Original car paint may develop cracks. Reasons for cracking in original car paint: Applying topcoat before the primer is fully dry, presence of pollutants in the air, or excessively thick paint layers can all lead to premature cracking of the paint film. Using incompatible paints, such as applying a hard paint film over a long-oil primer, can cause cracking due to the lack of elasticity in the paint film, resulting in inconsistent expansion and contraction between the two layers. Maintenance of original car paint: Paint surface cleaning; The paint surface of a used car often accumulates various substances like oil stains, asphalt, bird droppings, dust, and acidic rainwater. These substances, when left on the paint surface for a long time and combined with high summer temperatures, can become difficult to wash off with water alone. Therefore, to thoroughly remove these contaminants from the car's paint surface, specialized removers are needed that won't damage the paint. Avoid using cheap cleaners, as they may not clean effectively and could potentially corrode the paint. Polishing; After a thorough cleaning of the car body, polishing is necessary. Polishing helps restore damaged paint surfaces. For a new car, a single polishing session followed by glazing is sufficient. For older cars, multiple polishing sessions can restore their shine, making them look as good as new. Glazing; Glazing can be considered the most critical step in the entire maintenance process. A properly applied glaze forms a transparent hard film on the paint surface, enhancing the paint's resistance to scratches, oxidation, and high temperatures, thereby extending the paint's lifespan. Glazing provides excellent protection for the car's paint surface, though it is relatively expensive. The quality of the glazing also determines the longevity of the paint's durability. Waxing; Many car owners confuse waxing with glazing. Waxing primarily enhances the glossiness, making the paint surface appear more radiant. However, car wax is prone to decomposition, has a short lifespan, lacks hardness, and is not resistant to abrasion. Its hardness and scratch resistance cannot compare to glazing.
Original car paint can indeed develop cracks, which sounds quite annoying, but I've driven for many years and personally experienced this situation. Mainly over time, with excessive sun exposure, especially when parking the car outside in summer, UV rays can make the paint brittle and cause it to shrink. Large temperature changes also add to the trouble—cold winters and hot summers cause the paint layers to crack like tiny spider webs. My old car was like this; after being parked in an open-air parking lot for two or three years, cracks started appearing. Using strong acidic or alkaline products when washing the car can also damage the paint. However, don’t worry too much—preventive measures are quite simple: try to park in a garage or shaded area, regularly apply wax to seal the surface, and prevent moisture from seeping in. I think the quality of original car paint is quite good, but poor maintenance can easily lead to problems, so it’s best to develop good habits.
