How To Fix Faded And Oxidized Car Paint?

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with faded and oxidized car paint, you know how frustrating it can be.

It looks terrible and can make your whole car look old and neglected.

There are different causes of faded car paint, but the most common is exposure to the sun. UV rays can cause the clear coat on your car’s paint to break down, which leads to fading. Another common cause of faded paint is improper washing and drying techniques.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to fix faded car paint. In this article, I’ll show you how to restore the shine to your car’s paint and bring faded paint back to life.

5 Steps To Fix Faded And Oxidized Car Paint

1. Wash Your Car

Start by giving your car a good wash. This step will help to prevent paint scratches that cause by debris on the surface. I usually use a pressure washer and car wash soap to save time.

2. Deep Cleaning With a Clay Bar

After washing the car, deep cleaning is essential to remove any etched contaminants that could be causing the paint to fade. And a good clay bar can do it.

3. Assess The Damage

Once your car is clean, you’ll need to assess the damage.

If the paint is only slightly faded, you may be able to get away with polishing it. However, if the paint is severely faded, you may need to repaint the entire car.

4. Polish or Repaint

If you decide to polish your car, you’ll need to use a high-quality polishing compound. Apply the compound to a clean cloth and rub it into the paint in a circular motion. Be sure to cover the entire affected area.

If you decide to repaint your car, be sure to use a high-quality automotive paint. Apply the paint in thin layers, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next. Be sure to sand between each layer for a smooth finish.

5. Apply Wax To Protect The Paint

Polishing and repainting may remove the wax layer on the surface so applying a car wax is important to protect the paint from harsh elements and faded again.

Pour the amount of wax onto a microfiber towel, press and rub it in circular motions three times.

Finally, clean the wax residue with another microfiber until the paint bright and shiny.