Clear Coat Failure (Lacquer Peel)
Clear coat failure is when the transparent top layer of paint cracks, turns milky or peels away from the colour coat.
What is Clear Coat Failure (Lacquer Peel)?
It usually starts as a cloudy or white patch on the roof, bonnet or boot. Long sun exposure and poor previous repairs speed it up. Once peeling starts, it spreads. It was common on some cars from the 1990s and 2000s in sunny climates.
How it works
The clear coat loses adhesion and flexibility as UV light breaks it down.
Why it matters for your car
Polishing cannot repair peeling lacquer; the panel needs refinishing. Exposed base coat fades and degrades quickly.
Other terms
- Auto-dimming Mirror (Electrochromic Mirror)
- Brake Fluid
- Car First Aid Kit
- Charging Curve
- Connected Car App
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Engine Break-in (Running-in)
- Key Fob Battery
- Kick-down
- Kilowatt (kW)
- Mode 3 Charging Cable (Type 2 Cable)
- Mud-Terrain Tyre (M/T)
- Occupant Classification Sensor
- Paint Correction (Machine Polishing)
- Strut Brace (Strut Tower Bar)
- Third-Party Liability Insurance
- Timing Belt
- Towing Electrics (Trailer Socket)
- Viscous Coupling
- Wheel Arch Liner (Inner Fender)