Automotive Paint Peeling: Common Causes and Prevention

Peeling or flaky car paint occurs when one or more of the three layers of protective clear coat, paint, or primer is damaged, often due to scratches or chips in the paint. These scratches can result in delamination, or peeling, of your car's clear coat. If the scratch or chip is deep enough, the paint and primer can be scratched off as well, leaving your vehicle's metal bodywork exposed to moisture, contaminants, and oxidation. Without the layers of clear coat, paint, and primer, the metal body of your vehicle is susceptible to rust and corrosion, which may lead to more extensive damage. For this reason, it’s important to repair or remove any paint scratches, chips, dents, or other body damage as soon as possible to reduce the risk of more costly repairs.

Consistent UV exposure can also cause the clear coat to deteriorate and the paint to fade, increasing the risk of paint peeling. Automotive paint is protected by the clear coat on modern vehicles, so it takes a considerable amount of wear or damage for the paint itself to begin peeling. However, if the clear coat is scratched or damaged and goes unnoticed, or if it is constantly exposed to UV rays without protection, it can begin to deteriorate. This can expose the paint below to the sun, dirt, debris, and other pollutants that can cause further damage to the paint. If damaged clear coat goes untreated, your paint may begin peeling as well, leaving only the primer to defend against corrosion.

In addition to the effects of the sun, other harmful weather elements such as snow, ice, or hail can pose a threat to your vehicle's paint job. In extremely cold temperatures, the clear coat on your vehicle can become brittle and is more likely to crack or peel if damaged. A buildup of ice, snow, or road salt can easily cause scratches or minor damage that could remain hidden until the debris is properly cleaned and removed from your vehicle. In order to prevent the effects of the weather and damage to your paint, it is important to properly wash and clean your vehicle as needed to remove any contaminants, pollutants, or debris, while also inspecting your vehicle for any signs of scratches, chips, or damage. If possible, we recommend parking your vehicle in a protected area, such as a garage or carport, when you’re not driving it. This can reduce the harmful effects of both the sun's UV rays and the snow or ice your car experiences in different seasons.

While it might be hard to believe that washing your car could actually lead to peeling car paint, it is possible to harm your car's finish or paint if you use inappropriate detailing supplies or subject your vehicle to harsh washing conditions. When you wash your car, always make sure to use car wash soap, wax, sealants, brushes, sponges, and towels specifically designed to use on automotive finishes. Cleaners and soaps not designed for cars, such as dish soap or household cleaners, can contain chemicals that strip the wax off your car, putting your vehicle's protective finish at risk of deterioration and resulting in paint peeling over time. It’s important to use the right tools and vehicle cleaning products to not only clean your car, but also protect its appearance. Knowing how to properly clean your car at home and how to detail your car’s exterior is a great way to make sure you are protecting and improving your car's appearance at the same time. Keeping your car clean inside and out is a great way to increase the lifespan of your vehicle as well.

When repainting or refinishing your car, it’s important to follow paint application instructions correctly to ensure your paint lasts as long as possible and doesn’t peel or crack. There are several steps that should be followed to properly repaint your vehicle, and each step is crucial to completing a long-lasting paint job. If you don't follow the application steps correctly, your car’s paint may look good for a little while, but will likely begin peeling or cracking over time. Improper surface preparation is one mistake that could result in paint peeling. Before repainting your vehicle, it is often recommended that you sand or scuff the primer, as well as any surface abrasions or rust spots, with sandpaper and remove any oil or contaminants from the surface using an appropriate solvent and tack cloth. This step is crucial in preparing the surface before beginning to paint. Without proper surface preparation, the paint may not bind correctly to your vehicle, resulting in peeling or cracks. It is also important to follow application instructions to coat the vehicle evenly and maintain the correct thickness across the body. When repainting your vehicle, always be aware of recommended dry times between coats to ensure the primer, paint, and clear coat bond chemically before fully drying. If this chemical bond doesn’t form, eventually your paint can begin peeing, cracking, or chipping. No matter the refinishing task or repair job, be sure that you understand and follow the application instructions of all of the supplies you use to get the job done.

We know how frustrating and inconvenient peeling paint on your car can be, especially if it results in costly repairs. Thankfully, there are a few simple but effective ways to prevent your vehicle’s paint from peeling. Read on to learn a few tips and tricks you can use to help keep your car's paint looking great for longer.

There are a number of ways to protect your car's appearance and prevent paint from peeling, but the easiest method is to simply keep your car clean. Taking care of your vehicle by frequently washing and cleaning its finished surfaces can disperse harmful contaminants, debris, or buildup. By frequently cleaning your vehicle and regularly applying protective wax, you are more likely to succeed at preventing paint from peeling due to exposure to the sun and the elements. Regularly cleaning your vehicle also makes it easier to detect any existing scratches or damage and repair them as necessary before they allow the paint to peel. Once your vehicle is clean, you should also apply wax at least once a year to ensure that water continues to bead off of the body, as moisture and weather can eventually lead to peeling paint.

Another way to prevent your vehicle's paint from peeling or chipping is to repair any scratches, dents, scuffs, or other damage as soon as possible. Even the smallest scratch can allow moisture and oxidation to penetrate your vehicle's protective finish, possibly causing delamination or rust formation. Small paint peels can grow quickly when exposed to weather and debris and can become bigger problems if repaired after a period of time. While we recommend repairing any paint scratches quickly, it's important not to rush through the process. Properly repairing the scratched or peeling paint consists of correctly repainting and resealing the affected area as thoroughly as possible to ensure the new coat of paint protects your vehicle as well as the original finish. For more information on repairing paint scratches, take a look at our How-To article. If the damage is too much to fix yourself, we would also recommend a local body shop for all your automotive paint repair needs.

To protect your vehicle from the effects of the sun's UV rays and other harmful pollutants or debris, it’s a good idea to park in safe, shady, and dry places if at all possible. Giving your vehicle, especially your daily driver, a break from the effects of weather is a great way to protect your vehicle’s paint and exterior from potential threats, such as water, dirt, pollen, ice, snow, hail, or contaminants. Parking in protected spaces and away from other cars if possible also reduces the risk of scratches or damages from other vehicles.

O’Reilly Auto Parts carries the car wash soap, detailing products, and wax you need to help protect your vehicle’s paint and appearance. We also have the tools you need to complete your car wash or detailing project correctly, such as car wash sponges, mitts, brushes, and towels. Washing your car correctly is a great way to protect your paint from peeling by removing harmful contaminants and debris. If you need to repair an existing scratch or scuff, we have scratch removers and polish to restore your vehicle’s appearance and prevent further damage from forming. To go the extra mile and protect your vehicle’s paint job even more, you can find vehicle covers for most cars, trucks, and SUVs at O’Reilly Auto Parts. We hope this resource has helped you understand the importance of protecting your vehicle’s paint, what causes car paint to peel, and how to prevent and repair automotive paint peeling. For more appearance and paint resources, visit our How-To-Hub.