Faded lacquer

[Percy Penguin]

The paintwork on my old Jeep is generally in very good for it's age, but there are areas on one side where it has started to dull in places.



I assume it's just the lacquer/clear coat that has been faded by the sun. However none of it has started peeling yet.



I'd appreciate any advice on whether this is repairable (either DIY or professional) other than respraying ? I wondered whether to buy a cheap DA polisher and have a go.

[Huzzah]

I had similar on an old merc. I'm not convinced it was sun, but chemical damage from a dodgy car wash. (Unproven just a theory)

I tried Tcut (by hand) on a small section, but couldn't achieve any improvement. So left it.

Eventually the car was sold, my efforts to improve it hadn't worked but neither had it deteriorated further.

Irritating.

[DaveF-SkinnysAutos]

Hi, I'm a painter. I'm afraid that clear coat lacquer is done for and the UV will continue to make it deteriorate. The only solution is to respray it.

You could give it a mop and polish and it will make it look better for a short while but its just hiding it and not protecting it from getting worse.

As its only the clear coat and not dents or damage to the panels it would be at the cheaper end of the respray range.

[rOB.bOb]

I guess this is an old repair where the clear coat isn't as good as the original. I have the same issue on one of my cars and haven't found a solution other than respray.

[DaveF-SkinnysAutos]

rOB.bOb said:

I guess this is an old repair where the clear coat isn't as good as the original. I have the same issue on one of my cars and haven't found a solution other than respray.

It could be, but IMO modern paints are much better nowadays and due to the fact the faded patches are on the top edges of the door and front bumper its much more likely its just always been parked the same way round in the sunlight. Often a repaired area will be better protected than original paint on old vehicles as paint has improved over the years since cellulose etc.

I mean, generally we arent blessed with loads of sun in the UK, but turn your car around so its not the same panels bleaching all summer, park it in the shade, wash and wax it regularly to provide extra protection, but ultimately once its gone, it needs a respray I'm afraid, but only the affected panels. Your talking somewhere between £250-£500 per panel and then its got another 20 years of protection, so a reasonable outlay for an investment over that period.

[Percy Penguin]

Thanks for your advice Dave - you're right that I always park in the same place, with that side facing the sun, so can see the damage would be caused by UV. Looks like a trip to my local bodyshop is the only solution.