Fwd: clear coat problem

[Sandy Duffy <sandyduffy@home.com>]

Message # 1
>With all the discussion about waxes, etc., I have a question about the clear 
>coat on my '86 Audi 5000CSTQ.  I understand that a lot of Audis have a
problem
>with the clear coat peeling off.  I only have this problem on the hood and
roof.
>I have heard that you can get some chemical that will pull off the clear 
>without hurting the paint. Is this true??  Anyone btdt?  Then put on new
clear.

Message #2

> Anyone have any suggestions about getting an 854ksQ painted?  It needs
about $300
>worth of body work- dents, dings, and minor rust.  I'm thinking about
getting one of the 
>cheaper paint/body chains to do the work.  I'm wondering if anyone has had
any good 
>experiences with these places.  I really don't want to invest a grand into
paint on a car 
>that's only worth $3,500.  But I do want it to look half way decent, not
peeling and cracking 
>after a year.  These places have different combinations of paint, uv
coats, and clear coats, 
>etc...  Which combination will be the most cost effective- in terms of
longevity and 
>durability.  I've only heard horror stories about paint peeling after a
short time.  Any 
>suggestions would be very much appreciated.

The reason clear coat paint peels off a car is due to improper surface
preparation before it was applied. In my younger days I painted my share of
cars and I know.  Cheap paint jobs or improper repair of accident damage
will look good for about two years and then the clear coat will peel
because there really was nothing for it to bind to originally.  The other
reason for peeling is improper mixing of different paint types. Lacquer
over enamel etc.  
If your clear coat peels and you think you have original paint, the car may
have been repainted or touched up due to damage at the port of entry.
Believe me it happens more often than the car companies would like to admit.

HTH 

Sandy