Paint Flexibility

[CreativeDesignz]

Is paint on a car flexible, and if so why is it flexible. Also does polish in a way condition the paint so that it doesnt dry out?

 

[Poorboy]

yes paint can be flexible with the addition of proper amount of flex agents...many cars have this added to their bumpers and some cars like Saturns have it added to their entire finish.:hippi

one note is it does nothing to prevent the paint from drying out and many have noticed that the paints sometimes don't exactly match in shade to paints without the flex agent...

 

[CreativeDesignz]

so then what causes paint to crack? i would think lack of a conditioning agent or moisturizing agent to keep it somewhat elasticy

 

[Antonio Waxer]

so then what causes paint to crack? i would think lack of a conditioning agent or moisturizing agent to keep it somewhat elasticy

This would depend on whether you are talking about single stage paint or basecoat/ clearcoat and if you are talking about on hard surfaces or surfaces like bumpers that were made to be flexible.

single stage will dry out as the pigment oils evaporate over time, the replenishment you describe would be in petroleum based products that would help maintain or rejuvinate the pigments for a temporary shine.

on a bc/cc the cracking is usally clearcoat failure, usually caused by an extreme temperature condition or a prep problem before or during painting.

on a flexible part like a bumper, the flex agent can only allow so much flex before cracking will occur or an impact.

 

[tubafeak]

All auto paint has to be a little flexible to counteract the change in sheetmetal size during temperature changes. Some paints (Older BMW paint for example) are softer and more flexible in nature to better protect against high-speed ( pebble collisions (the Autobahn is fun).

 

[Hawaiianelement]

so then what causes paint to crack? i would think lack of a conditioning agent or moisturizing agent to keep it somewhat elasticy

I would say neglect is the biggest factor in paint cracking or clearcoat failure. Sun and UV damage . You see this when people fail to wax or protect their finish..

 

[CreativeDesignz]

are there any products which replace the oils in the paint?

 

[Poorboy]

replace..no ...prolong maybe...again it depends if you are talking about clearcoat or single stage

 

[CreativeDesignz]

well for both...i got into somewhat of an arguement about something like this and i would like to prove him wrong