Will the original car paint crack?
2 Answers
Original car paint will not crack under normal vehicle use and proper maintenance. Causes of car paint cracking: Applying topcoat before the primer is fully dry, air pollution, or excessive paint thickness can lead to early paint film cracking; Using incompatible coatings, such as applying a hard paint film over a long-oil primer, may cause cracking due to lack of elasticity and inconsistent expansion forces between the two paint layers. The following are car paint maintenance options: Waxing: Waxing forms a protective layer on the paint surface, preventing oxidation from harmful external elements, offering UV resistance, high gloss, and being the most affordable option. Glazing: Glazing enhances paint strength, protects against minor scratches from windblown sand, and resists high temperatures and UV rays. Coating: Paint coating is the highest level of paint protection, preventing oxidation while providing multiple benefits including enhanced gloss, acid/alkali resistance, oxidation resistance, and UV protection. Polishing: Polishing removes oxidized paint surfaces, restoring vehicle shine and temporarily renewing the paint to its original state.
As an ordinary car owner who has been driving for over a decade, I've noticed that original car paint can indeed develop cracks, but this is usually closely related to usage environment and maintenance methods. My old car developed fine cracks on the hood after three years because it was parked outdoors exposed to sunlight for long periods. Car paint is like skin—prolonged exposure to UV rays, acid rain, and temperature fluctuations causes aging. Especially when parked in the sun during summer, with temperatures reaching 50-60 degrees Celsius, the clear coat becomes brittle and prone to cracking. Once, a neighborhood mechanic mentioned that if you don't wash your car regularly, bird droppings and tree sap can corrode the paint and accelerate cracking. That's why I now prefer to walk a bit further to park in an underground garage and apply liquid wax monthly. After more than five years, my car's paint still looks as good as new.
