Hi there, hope you can help. I noticed this morning my paint has started to peel by the boot. Can anyone suggest how I can prevent further peeling/seal the area?

i am not too concerned on repainting, I just don’t want further peeling. I went to a car wash yesterday if this helps with any information, and someone recently went into the back of me (very low impact, I was waiting at a roundabout and there no apparent marks or visible damage to the car).

It’s a 2014 plate, otherwise in very good condition. 

Thanks in advance!

You can paint some clear lacquer over the damaged area to try and prevent it spreading.  Though really it does need to be repainted.

6 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

You can paint some clear lacquer over the damaged area to try and prevent it spreading.  Though really it does need to be repainted.

Thanks Tom! I’ll give it a go. Do you have any idea at all on what causes it, is it just age? 

11 hours ago, Fiesta2024 said:

 Do you have any idea at all on what causes it, is it just age? 

It's likely that the bumper has had a bit of paintwork in the past. Maybe not a great job as if the surface had been properly prepared, the paint would have stuck. It's like trying to get a bit of sticky tape to stick to a greasy surface, might stick initially but over time will simply peel off. Paint needs a proper clean and roughened surface to stick permanently...

Like Tom says, try a bit of lacquer, similar to the process of when my mum had a run in her tights and painted clear nail varnish round the edge to stop it spreading!

2 hours ago, StephenFord said:

It's likely that the bumper has had a bit of paintwork in the past. Maybe not a great job as if the surface had been properly prepared, the paint would have stuck. It's like trying to get a bit of sticky tape to stick to a greasy surface, might stick initially but over time will simply peel off. Paint needs a proper clean and roughened surface to stick permanently...

Like Tom says, try a bit of lacquer, similar to the process of when my mum had a run in her tights and painted clear nail varnish round the edge to stop it spreading!

Thanks Stephen, will give it a go!

Should I avoid the car wash for a while in case this is also affecting the paint?

6 minutes ago, Fiesta2024 said:

Should I avoid the car wash for a while in case this is also affecting the paint?

Avoiding a 'car wash' is always good advice! A gentle old fashioned bucket & sponger wash with a garden hose would be best if you have access to those facilities...

14 hours ago, Fiesta2024 said:

Do you have any idea at all on what causes it, is it just age? 

The paint would have got cracked by the bumper flexing in the rear end impact, even if you couldn't see it.  After that, moisture gets underneath the paint and starts to lift it, spreading underneath.  A jetwash will be the final straw for it.  If it was on the front, the speed of the air rushing towards the car on the road would strip it, but on the rear there's never any fast airflow.  It will keep spreading unless you have it repaired properly.  The lacquer is just to try and seal the edges to prevent any more moisture getting underneath, but really the damage is already done.  The paint will continue to flake no matter how you wash it.

20 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The paint would have got cracked by the bumper flexing in the rear end impact, even if you couldn't see it.  After that, moisture gets underneath the paint and starts to lift it, spreading underneath.

I misread the initial post. (Thought it was repainted after minor impact) Perfect analysis Tom...

Thanks both - really appreciate your guidance. I’ll get some lacquer for the time being but will look at quotes for repainting. 😔