The clear on the bonnet and front fender on my TJ is peeling and looks terrible. I'm looking for a way to make it look ok without going to the expense of repainting the whole pannel. I tried removing the flaking clearcoat in one section and spraying some new clear over the top. It is very hard to remove all the flaking layer without sanding through the base coat.

I'm not sure of the price to respray a panel but I'm sure it would not be worth it on a car so old. The other option I am weighing up is getting another bonnet the same colour from the wreckers for $79.

The other option I am weighing up is getting another bonnet the same colour from the wreckers for $79.

And this bonnet will be younger that yours, and the clear will be perfect, yes?

Perhaps not.

A cheap fix is to scrape the defective clear off with a plastic object like a credit card rather than sandpaper.
Work harder at the edges, where the clear is still adhering properly - try to get them smooth.
Spray can of cheap clear. Edges will be somewhat visible.

Not a permanent fix, other places will have the clear lift, but you can repeat this process.

I just went out and tried with a plastic card. Works well, I think I'll do that then spray some clear on and see how it looks. I don't really want to spend any money on this car as its now 11 years old and probably only has a few more trouble free years left. I'd like to buy a new car but can't find anything worthy of replacing the Magna. I wish they still made new ones.

I wouldnt waste ur time. Get another bonnet from the wreckers. You can tell if the laint is good or not....
Age has nothing to do with how good paint is.

That's exactly right, I've got a 31 year old Datsun that has an immaculate original and a 10 year old magna with the paint peeling off the bonnet

Mate if you can get a TJ Bonnet with good looking finish for $79 bucks grab it and a couple for me as well. These are worth 3 times that to trade customers regardless of the condition of the paint as TJ Bonnets in good condition (paint does not matter) are very hard to get.

Sadly the only fix for clear coat is to take it back to the etch and start again, no use even keeping the base colour coat there either

Sadly the only fix for clear coat is to take it back to the etch and start again, no use even keeping the base colour coat there either

+1

Only way really, shortcuts will just come back to haunt you.

Perfect opportunity to acquire some equipment, paint and develop some new skills.

(I did the "scrape with plastic scraper and then use spray can clear" bit on a Lancer spoiler, only because I was passing the car on to a (female) relative, and I CBF'd doing it properly, seeing everybody knows girls don't look after cars and don't care what they look like. lol)

Carbon fibre vinyl wrap?

Carbon fibre vinyl wrap?

cheaper option.unfortunately one the base coat has been contaminated you have to take both clear and colour off the panel