Can clearcoat crack with drastic temperature change?

[Mr_Elusive]

On my local car forum someone posted something about clearcoat cracking with temperature change like glass... is this true? He writes:



Hey, guys since this is the topic about winter and dirt I want to share some thoughts with you.

If you like to keep your car clean in winter just keep in mind a few facts.

Every time you enter the auto-wash your clearcoat get about 50C temp change in a matter of seconds (from -20 outside to let's say +30 washing water). Try to put hot water in a cold glass... It craks. Same happens with clearcoat... Now there is on thing which calls capillary effect. That effect helps water to penetrate into tiniest little cracks (freshly made or already present).

Then you go outside and hit -20 again... Apart from another 50C temp change water in the crack start to freeze. When water freezes it expands and enlarge the cracks... By the end of winter you might need a new paintjob Wink if you do that too often...

Waxing and letting the car dry in warm garage would fix these issues...

Just a word of caution for the guys who likes that thing clean



I've never heard of this.. is this true?

 

[Bigpoppa3346]

I have never seen nor heard of this. Maybe if it was a *very* drastic change in less than a second(ie. pouring super hot water on a freezing paint finish), but I am sure it has never happened to anyone here and I have never seen it on other cars either.

 

[mikebai1990]

Like bigpoppa said, this is probably remotely possible when there is a humongous change in temperature, and constant cycles of these temperature fluctuations. I wouldn't worry about it.