Paint Cracking?

[marc70challenger]

just found (I know it wasn't there before today) what appears to be crack in paint in the hood.

You can feel an "edge" or rise where it is with finger tip.

Its been very cold .. and I bet it happened other day when I close hood after looking in engine bay.

I've read it can happen when too much hardener is added to paint.  I don't know who did paint job - and I am no expert on painting ... but guy I showed car to who does said they did first class job ... but he hasn't seen crack yet.

Any ideas.   I have some matched filler paint for scratches and such.  Should I just use some of that light grit scratch remover around it, then paint repair to blend and "fill" it?

I don't think it has any wax on it .... also understand that I should use a carnauba wax anyway to help moisturize the paint job, etc?

Thanks for help!!!

[67vertman]

Paint can crack for many reasons, such as you stated, or bad body work (bondo), structural flexing of a body panel.

You should try your best to determine why it cracked before attempting a fix, or more than likely it will return. 

Yes you can sand (feather) out the crack and reshoot the hood. However if you have metal flake in the paint it will be hard to blend in the repair.  If you have enough paint I would re-shoot the whole hood.

[burdar]

If you have enough paint I would re-shoot the whole hood.

...and probably the tops of the fenders.(so the paint matches)

[ToxicWolf]

...and probably the tops of the fenders.(so the paint matches)

   Also check for body filler in the crack area.  If you have to repaint the whole hood, you might as well fix anything underneath the paint that might cause cracking. 

[marc70challenger]

Good points and suggestions ... will do .... thanks everyone!   

[1 Wild R/T]

Looks like a good reason to apply a hood blackout....

[brads70]

It gets "very cold" here to and paint doesn't crack like that? I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling about this? Did you do the body work? Just wondering what other hidden surprises await/lurk underneath? 

[jimynick]

It gets "very cold" here to and paint doesn't crack like that? I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling about this? Did you do the body work? Just wondering what other hidden surprises await/lurk underneath? 

  Yep, there's something under that nice, shiny paint and it didn't like to be flexed while it was cold. It's either a filler or the painter applied a boatload of paint on it, that you're now paying the price for. Take a jackknife and pop it open. That'll give you an idea as to it's thickness and composition. Then, try to determine it's size as you really don't want to get into the fndrs unless you need to. If it's not TOO big, fix it and paint/blend the hood again. I'd go back and speak to the shop that did it in the first place and see if they'll help you out here. 

[HP_Cuda]

Doh! Cracked bondo...

[marc70challenger]

  Yep, there's something under that nice, shiny paint and it didn't like to be flexed while it was cold. It's either a filler or the painter applied a boatload of paint on it, that you're now paying the price for. Take a jackknife and pop it open. That'll give you an idea as to it's thickness and composition. Then, try to determine it's size as you really don't want to get into the fndrs unless you need to. If it's not TOO big, fix it and paint/blend the hood again. I'd go back and speak to the shop that did it in the first place and see if they'll help you out here. 

Ya ... both good points ... proper paint shouldn't crack like that .... where I can see and try to tell around the body and other areas ... I don't think there's much if any bondo ... maybe in that area they did for some reason ... or dude didn't mix hardener correctly/over painted.

I don't know who painted it - the work put into the rest of the car (and cost - especially components I know weren't cheap) doesn't reflect shoddy work ... but ... guess I'll just have to watch and see ... woooot ...

Aggravating and disappointing .... but I've learned lately .. life's too short ... I'm gonna enjoy piss out of the car while I can      - and fix her as need be .. 

Thanks for help!!!

[jimynick]

THAT'S the attitude! Really, in the big scheme of things, what's a piece of cracked paint on the hood?! It sure won't slow it down any. Enjoy and fix it when you feel like it. 

[marc70challenger]

THAT'S the attitude! Really, in the big scheme of things, what's a piece of cracked paint on the hood?! It sure won't slow it down any. Enjoy and fix it when you feel like it. 

     thanks! 

[1 Wild R/T]

I still say Hood Black out, it will keep moisture from getting in & causing rust.... Plus you can dig into the crack & see what below without worrying about matching the paint...

[HP_Cuda]

The upside is that the car will burnout just the same.
 

[marc70challenger]

I still say Hood Black out, it will keep moisture from getting in & causing rust.... Plus you can dig into the crack & see what below without worrying about matching the paint...

That actually would look good with black side stripes .... hmmmmm .... you may be on to something ....   ...

I guess its a stick on right?

Is the D O D G E glued on?