Things to Do When Car Paint is Fading

A vehicle is exposed to numerous elements that eventually damage the paintwork. Everyday exposure to heat and humidity can make the paint lose its shine and depth over time. That faded paint is the biggest giveaway of your car’s age and can affect the overall appearance. Early response is the best strategy to restore the paint back to its glory.

Generally, the solution to this problem lies in the severity of the damage, the type of paint applied, and the type of damage among other factors. Read on to explore how to fix faded car paint, ways to determine the extent of damage, and the common causes of paint fading. 

HOW TO FIX FADED CAR PAINT

When car paint starting to fade, there are primarily two approaches you can take if you know that your car has a clear coat.

• DIY Small Section Repair: It involves fixing only the areas where the paint has faded. Usually, this is the roof, hood, doors, or other small sections throughout the car’s body.
• DIY Complete Paint Restoration: As obvious, the second approach involves going for a top to bottom car paint restoration even if the entire surface is not faded.

We have compiled the major steps on how to fix faded car paint DIY small section repair:

STEP 1: GATHER ALL SUPPLIES

You need to make sure that you buy auto parts and accessories as well as tools that are necessary to fix the faded car paint. Here is the list:

1. Car buffing compound
2. Car washing materials
3. Polishing pads
4. Microfiber buffing pads
5. Electric machine buffer
6. Paint protection chemical. This can be sealant, wax, nano-ceramic coating. For small sections, get carnauba wax whereas for the entire surface, go for ceramic coating.
7. Bucket of water

STEP 2: WASH YOUR VEHICLE

Once you have your supplies with you, wash the areas fully that you are going to fix with the two-bucket method.

STEP 3: REMOVE THE DEBRIS

Using a high-quality clay bar, remove as many contaminants as you can from the surface after you have washed the car.

STEP 4: BEGIN WITH BUFFING COMPOUND

The general process to follow for the buffing process using the buffing compound is:

Soak the buffing pad in water

1. Apply buffing compound to it
2. Bring the pad to the faded area to buff it
3. Repeat the buffing process thrice
4. Scrub the buffer with clean water and inspect the paint
5. When the paint looks good, apply one final layer of the buffing compound

STEP 5: APPLY LAYER OF PROTECTANT

Once you have fixed the damaged paint, apply a layer of protectant. Car owners have three options, which are:

1. Car wax: Apply it to the treated area and perform a monthly service to protect the layer.
2. Paint sealant: Applied in a similar fashion to car wax, it lasts up to six months in most cases.
3. Ceramic coating on faded paint: DIY nano-ceramic coating lasts for two years on single application.

Now that you have learned how to restore faded car paint, it is also necessary to learn how to protect your car from future paint fading.

HOW TO PREVENT CAR PAINT FADING

Car paint fading from the sun is inevitable, so is the natural oxidation and atmospheric corrosion. The best way to save your car’s paint is to invest in a high-quality paint coating. This includes nano-ceramic coating – the best product to block UV rays, harmful chemicals, and other contaminants that lead to the paint deterioration that we discussed. Always keep in mind that nano-ceramic coating also requires frequent washing every two weeks, at least.

Another way to prevent fading earlier than usual is to park indoors whenever possible. If you have a garage, avoid parking out at all times. Grab a sheltered parking spot near your office and at other places to prevent your vehicle from unnecessary sun exposure. You can always purchase a car cover to protect the exterior if indoor parking is not feasible.

Moreover, going for regular car detailing in the UAE also help rejuvenate the car’s paint.

IS THERE A NEED TO RESTORE FADED CAR PAINT?

Fading car paint will not make your vehicle’s engine stop working. Therefore, you might wonder if you really need to restore faded car paint.

However, it isn’t an issue you should ignore for too long. The following reasons are enough to understand why it’s important to restore faded car paint, especially when it can create problems in the long run.

• The fading paintwork can get serious and spread to the whole body of the vehicle
• Fading is an early sign of paint damage 
• Repainting cars is quite expensive
• The value of your vehicle plummets

WHAT CAUSES CAR PAINT TO FADE?

While fading of car paint is typically a natural process, multiple factors can speed up car paint’s fading ahead of its time. Major causes are listed below:

• Natural Paint Oxidation: Oxidation is a chemical process that occurs when any element reacts with oxygen to form another compound. As a result, the original element/material is broken down, which – in this case – is your car’s paint.

• UV Light Exposure: Although the cars are coated with layers of protectant, the UV rays can still penetrate within if given the chance. Car paint fading from sun rays is common, although you can restore the shine, it would be best to prevent the damage in the first place.
• Air Pollution: Harmful gases in the air, when blown out of proportion, can also cause atmospheric corrosion that you observe in the fading of the car’s paint. Sulphur and nitrogen dioxide are the key agents in this process, capable of sticking to the car’s paint and wearing it down gradually.
• Acid Rain: We all know about acid rain – rainwater mixed with harmful gases, probable to occur at any time of the year in polluted areas. Similarly, sweltering, humid temperatures are also tough on your car’s exterior. Since any form of precipitationcan include acidic deposits, your car is prone to atmospheric corrosion at various points within the year.

• Corrosion: Extensive corrosion occurs if you live near the coast of an ocean. The salt from the water stays on the car’s surface, accelerating oxidation and chipping away at the paint very easily.
• Improper care: At the end of the day, it is how you maintain your car from the exterior and interior. People who wash and wax their vehicles regularly have better chances of maintaining the car’s paint. Besides, there are various causes of car paint damage that you must not ignore.

Not only the car’s exterior but the interior of the vehicle can also be saved from a lot of unnecessary trouble if you take measures to prevent them in the first place. Moreover, either you are buying a used car in the UAE or an old one, make sure to practice good car maintenance tactics to save yourself time, money and trouble. Hence, following tips for restoring faded car paint aside – make sure you also follow the tips to protect your car’s paint first.

Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information related to car parts, repairs guides and more.