Clear coat question.

[s_morrison57]

When did they start to put clear coat on factory paint jobs? I went to the dealer and asked about the wifey's 09 Civic and the dealer had no idea if it had clear coat or not. Is there a way to tell by looking at the paint? Is it only high end cars that have the clear coat? I have an 87 Porsche 930, would that have been clear coated at the factory?

Thanks

Finn

[Osok]

I'm not sure what the start date was but it's safe to say all modern cars have a clear coat on them. I don't think it's back until the days of single stage paint back in the 60s or 70s.

[summerkc]

Unless you get one painted flat, but are there even any manufacturers that offer that right now?

[PacificNWBuckeye]

Since the late 80's to early 90's all manufacturers have used base/clear paint systems. I believe it is safe to say an '09 Civic has base/clear.

[chazysoccer11]

I had an 09' civic Si, definitely had clear coat.

[Team Adam's]

I'd take it to a different dealer if I were you.

 

[gencoupe3dot8]

Finn,

Likely your Porsche has single stage paint. Easy way to tell is if paint comes off during polishing...

[Pureshine]

From 1977 and up clear coat was used on most cars.

[gencoupe3dot8]

More research (on the net) shows Porsche paint was clear if metallic in the 87 time frame, but it appears it was dependent on specific colors up until about 94/95, when almost all colors were cc. A note from Porsche themselves suggested using an out of the way test spot and polish to see if the paint would come off on the rag when polishing....

 

Single stage paint is a pain in the butt, make sure to keep your pads cleaned, with pad brush, compressed air, or pad washer....

 

Happy detailing,

Mike