Paint on hood fading hardcore

[westtexastiger]

I've had my 2002 Grand Am SE for a good while now, and I've been meaning to ask someone this. Did a search, and didn't find anything related.

Ever since the first time I washed the GA, there's been a discolored spot on the hood (actually multiple ones). I think maybe heat from under the hood cooked the paint on the hood. Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions for when I eventually get the hood repainted?

[TA^Guy]

unless there was a engine fire at one point, the engine heat alone will not damage the paint.

[westtexastiger]

Not that I've heard. What could have caused it?

[red98grandamse]

maybe its the clearcoat fading off? it might be good to post a quick pic of it.

[Bouchie11982]

it's called a Macco paint job :-P

[coupe]

I need to see a pic to help you.

I doubt its clear coat failure but it could be possible, very unlikely though.

Im willing to bet its bird shit etching.


This should be in the auto detailing section.
I dont think paint problems count as an appearance mod.

[FuriousG]

I've got a discolored spot on my hood too. I didn't notice it until after the first wash but I'm guessing it was bird crap that caused it. Probably while it was still sitting on the dealer's lot. If it really bugs you then look into getting it repainted but I figured for my money, I can live with it. It's not something anyo9ne would notice unless they were actually looking really closely at my car. Then again, I've got enough other dings and scratches that a slight discoloration is my smallest blemish...

[coupe]

You dont have to repaint it to get rid of it.

I can get rid of bird bomb etching quick.

[westtexastiger]

How?

I'll have to take a pic of the hood, it's ugly.

[westtexastiger]

http://www.nloc.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=34937&cat=1930


Sorry for the huge delay, but I've been busy with a new job lately, and I haven't been around much. Here's a pic of the paint fading. Any ideas or suggestions?

[pyro]

looks like a shotty paint/clearcoat job. has it ever been in a wreck or painted? do you keep it waxed often?

[westtexastiger]

Has never been in a wreck, or painted, THAT I KNOW OF. I don't keep it waxed, because the hood looks like that.

[pyro]

Originally posted by westtexastiger
Has never been in a wreck, or painted, THAT I KNOW OF. I don't keep it waxed, because the hood looks like that.
methinks thats the cause...the sun down here beats on paintjobs like nobodys business...i always see cars like that down here. id keep it waxed so it doesnt happen more.

[westtexastiger]

Well, crap. Think I may get the hood repainted, or buy another hood and get it paint matched, and go from there.

[Tommy00GT1]

Wow... definitely not bird crap. Unless the bird exploded and self destructed by eating a box of X-Lax or something, lol:lol:

Looks like a complete hood repaint is your only alternative.. Could it have been vandalism.. maybe some kids threw a chemical onto it? Depending on your car insurance, maybe file a claim for vandalism.. Tell 'em somebody threw something onto the hood and etched the paint.

[westtexastiger]

I don't think it was vandalism. The first faded spot appeared after about the second time I washed the car, and has just gotten worse.

[Tommy00GT1]

Wow, that's a strange one.... Maybe it's possible it could be a bad paint job when the car was built. My ole' Oldsmobile Ciera had that, as well as many Chevy's, Buicks, and Cadillacs too. G.M. used a bad primer in 1987, and my Oldsmobile was one of them. G.M. refused to repaint 'em because it was not considered a "safety defect", lol. All of us got shafted...

I guess all you can do is have it repainted... That blows too; the car is a 2002... paint should still be in good shape I would think.

[westtexastiger]

Originally posted by Tommy00GT1
I guess all you can do is have it repainted... That blows too; the car is a 2002... paint should still be in good shape I would think.

I agree. Oh well, though. I suppose I should think like this - the *bleep*ing hood will look brand new....:D

[tenspeed]

Originally posted by westtexastiger
The first faded spot appeared after about the second time I washed the car, and has just gotten worse.

If it was a used car, someone may have been hiding bad paint with oil, solvent, Armor all, etc.

[westtexastiger]

An interesting thought.

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by tenspeed
If it was a used car, someone may have been hiding bad paint with oil, solvent, Armor all, etc.

Very possible, Jim. And you would have washed that away with your first car was, revealing the damaged paint beneath. :(

A re-spray is the only way to repair that damage. I'd guess ~$300 and you're golden.

[westtexastiger]

Naturally. The paint fading doesn't bother my girlfriend, but it bugs the crap out of me.