Auto body repair & detailing: 1999 Honda Accord refinished clearcoat peeling, vehicle appraisals, weather elements

Question

1999 refinished hood I do vehicle appraisals and I inspected a vehicle that had front end repainted after a collision in 2001. I did re-inspection on 7/31/09 but the clearcoat peeling may have stared as much as 2 to 3 years before. I reported it as peeling due to exposure and weather elements. Insurance company and my supervisor say it is due to poor adhesion. I have to make chnages to my report to reflect thier view, but I still believe I am right. What is your opinion?

Answer
Florencio......the photo is a huge help. From what I can tell the clear coat delamination is a result from the application of the painting process. It appears that there are small circle shaped
imperfections under the clear and these will eventually work their way out.It is possible that solvents were trapped in the base coat and the clear was applied to early.The base coat has a recommended flash off time before topcoating with clear.

In other cases if the leading edge had started to peel then you would expect the clear delamnation to follow that edge.In your photo it appears to be coming from the center. This is not the only explanation as it could be that defective clear coat was applied.

Once the clear started to come up in one small spot air and moisture get under the edge and continues the process of peeling. This could be a result of 2 small spots that had the issue and it mushroomed from there.

If it matters I think you are both correct in that the peeling is due to both exposure and panel preparation.

Good luck
Michael