Take a look at this paint.

Eldorado2k

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Ok, 1st thought/question. Is this crows feet? I’m thinking this is crows feet, right?

2nd, would it be possible for the problem to be the basecoat and not the clearcoat? The way I’m looking at it there’s just no way, right? This is a problem with the clearcoat, right?

What say you? I want opinions. Asking for a “friend”

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OK, Ric, I give up. Is it a base coat problem that looks like clear coat failure?
 
OK, Ric, I give up. Is it a base coat problem that looks like clear coat failure?

I don’t know, all I have is those pictures. Person states that a body shop told him it’s a problem with the basecoat and the clearcoat is alright. I find that impossible to believe based on those pictures. That’s why I’m asking everyone here what they think.

It’s a 2015 Cadillac Escalade.
 
No "if's, and's, and but's" to me. That is damaged/compromised clearcoat to my eyes. Whether or not the damage extends through to the basecoat is debatable... But I don't know of any way to determine if that is the case.

As for 'crowsfeet"? It does look like tiny cracks to me. Time for a look with a 10x magnifier.
 
Thought it was a trick question:laughing:, but sure looks like the start of clear coat failure.
 
It’s a 2016 Cadillac Escalade.

I sure hope that isn’t OEM paint as it looks like 10-15 year old Honda paint. And I agree it looks like clearcoat failure and incredibly bad for a 5-year old vehicle.
 
I sure hope that isn’t OEM paint as it looks like 10-15 year old Honda paint. And I agree it looks like clearcoat failure and incredibly bad for a 5-year old vehicle.

10-15 year old Honda paint that was used for ice skating!!
 
I sure hope that isn’t OEM paint as it looks like 10-15 year old Honda paint. And I agree it looks like clearcoat failure and incredibly bad for a 5-year old vehicle.

Apparently the dealer he asked told him it was indeed factory paint. I think they told him there might be somekind of recall going on about it. Might be a widespread problem but not sure.
 
My '89 Coupe de Ville has cracked paint on the driver's door and AFAIK it's not a repaint. Maybe this is something Cadillac has always experienced sometimes.
 
If my hood looked like that, I’d try rubbing transmission fluid on it. Have you guys ever heard about that 1? Looks like a perfect candidate.
 
I'm going with clear issue. That Tahoe I did had similar damage on the hood and first part of the roof right behind the windshield.

I kept asking the owner WTH did you do to it and he insisted...nothing! Now I kinda believe him! LOL
 
If my hood looked like that, I’d try rubbing transmission fluid on it. Have you guys ever heard about that 1? Looks like a perfect candidate.

I never used trans fluid but I'd expect it would make some improvement. Any kind of oil should work to some degree.

I've recommended "oily protectants" and "silicone oils" for old faded, compromised single stage paints in other threads. The oils penetrate the compromised paint film, brighten the color and even provide some gloss. I used this method on many old cars in the past.

How it works on compromised urethane clear coats I'm not sure, but it is certainly worth a try.
 
How it works on compromised urethane clear coats I'm not sure, but it is certainly worth a try.

The phrases "Lipstick on a pig" or "Polishing a turd" come to mind.

Temporary fixes, but worth a try in a pinch.
 
The phrases "Lipstick on a pig" or "Polishing a turd" come to mind.

Temporary fixes, but worth a try in a pinch.

I'm sure you know I wasn't implying this as a fix... Only as a way to make some modest improvement in appearance.
 
Will WD40 do the same?

Yep. Typical buy-here / pay-here back-row trick. Growing up in the car businesses I learned a lot of silly tricks. Yes, oil or the like would work too. Lasts just long enough to get the papers signed.
 
My vote is clear coat failure too. What stood out to me are the perfectly straight scratches running in very long, straight lines with some intersecting at pretty consistent/precise angles. I couldn't imagine that happening naturally on it's own as part of paint failure. If you were in my part of the country, I'd say the owner used a snow shovel to clean off the car. Besides the clear failure, something very hard must have been drug across that part of the car.
 
Looks like clearcoat failure to me, but that also looks abused too. Looks like it's been through a lot of "Automated Car Wash's" over the years or scrubbed very hard with a broom.
 
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