During the usage of a car, the color of its paint gradually lightens, and it loses its original shine. This phenomenon is referred to as paint fading and loss of gloss. When encountering issues of fading or loss of gloss on the paint, it is crucial to accurately identify the causes and take corresponding measures for management.
Causes and Types of Paint Fading and Loss of Gloss:
(A) Causes:
- Paint Coating Factors:
- (1) Poor weather resistance of the used coatings can lead to fading and loss of gloss under adverse weather conditions.
- (2) Low light resistance of the coatings can result in fading and loss of gloss under intense sunlight.
- (3) Inadequate scratch resistance of the coatings can contribute to fading and loss of gloss during car cleaning and wiping.
- Vehicle Usage Factors:
- (1) Adverse environmental conditions, such as areas with heavy pollution like mines, construction sites, industrial areas, restaurants, and barbecue spots, or regions with severe salt spray along coastlines, significant temperature fluctuations, and climate variations, can lead to corrosion and damage to the car's paint, causing fading and loss of gloss.
- (2) Poor parking environments, where frequent exposure to outdoor elements like wind, sun, and rain causes natural erosion, resulting in paint fading and loss of gloss.
- (3) Influence of traffic film, an electrostatic layer formed on the car's paint surface during operation, which, due to its susceptibility to dust and corrosive substances, can lead to fading and loss of gloss.
- Car Washing Factors:
- (1) Poor quality of all cleaning agents, especially the use of highly alkaline cleaning agents, can directly erode the paint.
- (2) Unclean water containing corrosive substances or acidic/alkaline materials can directly erode the paint, causing loss of gloss.
- (3) Inappropriate water pressure during washing, with excessively high pressure, can wash away the shiny layer of the car's paint, resulting in discoloration.
- (4) Improper car washing methods, where washing is done without prior rinsing, may cause scratches on the paint due to dust and sand particles, leading to color loss and loss of gloss.
- Paint Care Factors:
- (1) Delayed paint care leads to insufficient protection of the paint.
- (2) Poor quality of paint care products fails to provide effective protection.
- Other Factors:
- (1) Lens effect: Small water droplets on the car's paint surface, acting as concave-convex lenses, can focus sunlight, reaching temperatures of 800-1000°C, causing burns and invisible micro-holes on the paint, resulting in severe loss of gloss.
- (2) Natural aging: Every type of coating has a limited lifespan, and with prolonged use, oxidation and corrosion affect the paint, gradually leading to aging, fading, and loss of gloss. Proper paint care can significantly slow down the aging process.
(B) Types of Paint Fading and Loss of Gloss:
- Caused by Harmful Substances:
- When irregular holes appear on the paint surface, often invisible to the naked eye, it indicates fading and loss of gloss caused by harmful substances. Prolonged exposure without protective measures allows various harmful substances to adhere to the paint surface, gradually penetrating and forming irregular holes, affecting the transparency of the paint.
- Caused by Oxidation:
- If there are no obvious scratches or few spots on the paint surface, fading and loss of gloss are often due to oxidation-reduction reactions.
- Caused by Scratches:
- When numerous fine scratches are distributed on the paint surface but have not reached the primer, especially under strong light, it results in superficial scratches causing loss of gloss.
- Caused by Lens Effect:
- After careful observation of the cleaned paint surface, numerous spots, actually burn holes, are visible. This type of fading and loss of gloss is caused by the lens effect.
Prevention and Treatment of Paint Fading and Loss of Gloss:
(A) Prevention:
- Timely and Scientific Maintenance:
- (1) Use high-quality cleaning agents and correct washing methods to promptly remove harmful substances from the paint surface.
- (2) After rain or fog, promptly wipe off water droplets on the paint surface to prevent the lens effect.
- (3) Apply high-quality car wax, regularly wax the paint surface to create an upper protective layer, isolating the paint from air contact and preventing oxidation and corrosion.
- (4) Improve the parking environment to prevent natural erosion.
- (5) Install an antistatic device on the car to prevent the formation of traffic film.
(B) Treatment:
- Polishing:
- For mild natural aging and fading caused by superficial scratches, cleaning and polishing can be performed to eliminate surface fading and loss of gloss. Subsequent waxing and polishing can restore the paint's luster.
- Application of Colored Wax:
- Colored wax, also known as tinted wax, contains a small amount of glaze and can enhance the color of the same color series paint, making the vehicle more vibrant. As tinted wax has functions such as color enhancement, supplementation, and coverage, it can restore the surface of faded and glossless paint.
- Paint Refurbishment:
- For severe natural aging and fading caused by the lens effect, which results in significant damage to the paint, refurbishing and repainting of the affected areas is necessary.
In conclusion, understanding the various factors contributing to automotive paint fading and loss of gloss, along with effective preventive measures and appropriate treatment options, is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic appeal and longevity of the paint.