Firstly sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Not sure if this is a common problem on the Octy mk1 or not but basically I've got a bit of lacquer flaking off-

Take a look-

Sorry about the useless pic, but it should give you an idea.

Basically around the edge of my mudflap the clearcoat has flaked away in the area of the orange circle, the bit in the red circle is where crud had got under the exposed edge of the clearcoat. The otherside has the same problem to a lesser degree. I'm looking to repair it to stop it spreading, as its such a small area and pretty much out of sight I'm not fussed if it doesn't look 100% perfect. Plan on taking the flaps off and touching it up as necessary. Just need advice on the following please-

* what to do about the bit where crud has got under the clearcoat. Do I just flake that bit off?

* How to prep it as I waxed the car about a month ago. Will a polish take the wax off or do I need to use something else?

* What I need to ask for when I go to Halfords, is it just clear coat or lacquer or are they one and the same?

* and lastly I assume that its just a case of brush on overlapping with the existing clearcoat by a mm or so?

TIA

I would say some very mild wet and dry used wet to take off the rough edges and just a spray can of clear coat.

Flake off where crud is under the coat, then rub the edges to smooth gently.

Probably a good idea to wipe down the whole area you will be treating with meths first.

Thanks for the advice, very much appreciated.

So I should use a spray rather than a pen type one in your opinion?

Also what grade wet and dry would you recommend?

either way it needs sorting before winter sets in and the water gets under you lacquer and makes it spread (which doesnt take long

were it is, id touch it up with a pen:thumbup:

Is this a common occurance with Octavia's then? Seems odd that mud flaps that are meant to protect the car do more damage than good :P

Once I've sorted it if I've done a decent job I might leave them off... so if in a few weeks they are on there it means I made a hash of it :P

Personally I would use a spray can as you will get a more even coat and will cover the whole area with a few thin layers rather than just those areas.

The wet and dry, i'd suggest the finishing grade, use it dry to take off the edges then wet to make it all smooth.

Make sure the whole area is cleaned off with something like meths to make sure there is no wax around as this may stop the paint sticking properly.

get some panel wipes from halfords when you go, they are exellent for preping the paint for painting. Also like said above get urself some fine wet and dry 1500 grit if possible. clean the area up and give it a few coats of laquar.

after thats dry get some very very fine rubbing compound and blend the old laquar in with the new laquar.

It was caused because some grit got between the flap the bodywork, and this has eventually pierced a small hole in the clearcoat allowing water in. This has in turn got under the clearcoat causing what you can see. The solution is to check between the flap and car when cleaning and remove any foreign objects.

It was caused because some grit got between the flap the bodywork, and this has eventually pierced a small hole in the clearcoat allowing water in. This has in turn got under the clearcoat causing what you can see. The solution is to check between the flap and car when cleaning and remove any foreign objects.

I peeled them back to see what it was like... lets just say its grim in there :eek:

Will give it a good clean up!

Infact it makes me more determined to do a good job of it and lose the mudfaps.

Right so I tackled this today. Went pretty smoothly so thanks for your advice. Behind the edge of the flaps was more lacquer peel so I sprayed over that too. Will keep an eye on it and will sort it out as necessary.

I must admit that I had a bit of a bum clenching moment, as I hadn't done any body work before, when I turned the bodywork white with the wet and dry

Behind the flaps was a disgrace, infact I was half considering leaving them as they were and having a small vegetable patch in there :P Decided I will put the flaps back on though in a few days time.

Got one last question for you though. I've got a touch of overspray nothing too major. On the can it says leave it 2 weeks then use some rubbing compound. What would you guys suggest to use?

Thanks

EDIT- All sorted now

Any old rubbing compound will be fine, just don't go for anything too harsh or rub too hard

Before and after pics would be good so we can see what a good job you did

Any old rubbing compound will be fine, just don't go for anything too harsh or rub too hard

Before and after pics would be good so we can see what a good job you did

Well I had some differing advice so in the end Ionly let it hardent for 3 days and went at it with some 3M perfect-It III fine compound and a ton of elbow grease :P

The reason being is that I've done a whole car with that stuff and managed to not mess it up so I felt confident using it

After that I went for some 3M Imperial hand glaze to remove any hazing (not that I could see any) and just for overkill sake some AG Super resin polish to top it off

... then a nice coat of Harly wax

Before doing all that in the wrong light I could see a slight variation in colour tone, my mates thought I was going mad but it was there... honest. Can't say I notice any difference at all now in any light condition

Didn't get it 100% though as I did get a very slight run right on the edge of the wheel arch. I was going to rub it down and do it again but decided that I prefered the look of it with the mud flaps so that was going to be covered anyway so I left it :P