Clear Coat on the Hood is Toast. Fixable? (1 Viewer)

[Manhattan]

My '06 looks great... until you look at the hood. No buffing/polishing will bring it back. I bought the truck with 39,000 miles on it. It had been in a minor accident - bumper and hood were repaired/repainted. It would appear the paint work on the hood was far (!) from Toyota standards.

Short of repainting the hood... is there anything that can reduce the ugly? Shoot some more clear? Lift it more so fewer people notice it?

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Sand, reprime, repaint, re-clear coat. Or if you want, just wetsand the clear coat off, and re-apply.

 

[SF1911A1]

Vinyl wrap the hood black? Depends on your taste, but I’ve seen a few cruisers do that even without paint problems.

 

[flintknapper]

It needs a repaint. Too far gone to do much with it.

What color is that?

 

[Manhattan]

Too far gone to do much with it.
What color is that?

Garnett Pearl Metallic.

 

[100d ua]

Mines completely toast on the hood. (green)

 

[Kabanstva]

That truck is too nice to half ass a problem like this. Repaint is the only option.

 

[Beanzermin]

When I first bought my truck it was the same way! Sand it smooth with a 400g. Put a coat of grey sealer over the whole hood. Then re-paint and re-clear. Definitly worth the time and money! It'll make your old and busted look like new hotness!

 

[flintknapper]

Garnett Pearl Metallic.
View attachment 2035870

Damn...that's a nice color. Do it right and repaint. Dig those gray steelies too.

 

[camino70]

This has got to be killing you! I can't believe how you feel getting in this truck to drive and looking down the hood! (Especially after all you've done with the rest of the paint!)

 

[Manhattan]

Yeah it’s killing me. Fortunately, I can’t see the faded paint from the driver’s seat unless I lean forward and try.

I’m torn on want to do. The truck has become a Block-or-More - lots of dings and scratches, door/window and side moldings are really faded... I’d been planning on a total repaint (same color) some day. But, while the hood absolutely needs it, it’s a bit early for the rest of the truck.

 

[jon91581]

What's the condition of the base coat? Is it just the clear that's flaking? If the base coat is good underneath, could you just wet sand with 800-1200 grit on a random orbital to clean it up and re-shoot clear?

 

[camino70]

I vote for leaving it, especially with a daily driver.

 

[Beanzermin]

If the base coat is good underneath, could you just wet sand with 800-1200 grit on a random orbital to clean it up and re-shoot clear?

No sadly not possible. Anything finer than an 800 grit scratch and paint or clear won't stick. Also once the clear starts flaking, if you sand over the part where the base is showing it will scratch the metallics and more than likely sand through the base. You would have to reapply color. Base coat is very thin. It does not have any kind of body or even UV protection. Base coat is just color. The strength and durability of a paint job comes from the clear coat.

 

[Manhattan]

Damn. Sounds like more lift is the most pragmatic solution... I mean, other than a proper repaint of the hood.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Just repaint it. Take it to a decent shop, or paint it yourself if you are up to it!

Take some inspiration from Kelly Saad

Paint job process has begun

You sir, are a madman to attempt such a project on so short of time table. It looks awesome though! 👍

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[MongooseGA]

I'd repaint. The rest of the truck is too nice. What's a repaint for a hood? $3-500? Not chump change, but I'd think very well worth it.

If you're not ready to go full beans with paint, maybe do some experimenting with some wet sanding and some aerosol clear to see if it would help at all?

 

[Manhattan]

Just repaint it. Take it to a decent shop, or paint it yourself if you are up to it!

Take some inspiration from Kelly Saad

Paint job process has begun

You sir, are a madman to attempt such a project on so short of time table. It looks awesome though! 👍

forum.ih8mud.com

Only thing I’d take from Kelly is a number - NEXT!
(I lack the tools, knowledge, skills... )

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Then off to the paint shop...

 

[ERMB]

I have a few areas of flaking clear under my windows on the driver's side I plan to address after I settle into my new house. Wish I were already at that point, Kelly's project has me inspired to try and tackle it! Another couple weeks and I'll be ready to go!