How to Repair Car Fade

The fade in your car's paint is primarily caused by oxidation or deposits in its clear coat. With some effort and the right products, you can restore your car's shine to like new condition. The entire job should take no longer than five to six hours. You can pick up all of the tools and materials for this job at your local auto parts store.

Things You'll Need

• Scratch remover and polishing paste compound
• Liquid, carnauba cleaning wax
• Liquid, clear coat wax
• Shop rags
• Hand-held electric buffer
• Buffing and polishing pads
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Dish washing soap

Instructions

Preparing Your Car for Polishing and Detailing

1. 

   Fill a bucket halfway with warm water. Add 4 to 6 ounces of liquid detergent. Fill the bucket the rest of the way to mix.

2. Rinse the car thoroughly with a hose. Wash the car in sections with the soap and water mixture and a sponge.

3. Rinse the car thoroughly to remove the soap and water mixture then allow it to dry. It is essential to remove the soap residue in order for the polish and wax to properly adhere to the vehicle's surface later.

Polishing and Detailing Your Car

1. Apply a 1-inch dab of scratch remover and polishing compound to a small portion of the car, using a shop rag. Spread the polishing compound, using a hand-held buffer at low speed with a polishing pad. For larger surfaces, apply the polishing compound liberally. Be sure you cover the entire surface of the particular body panel you are working on.

2. Remove any dust or wax residue using a shop rag. Remove the residue using a circular motion. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you have polished the entire vehicle.

3. Rinse the entire car thoroughly to remove any remaining residue from the polishing compound. Dry the car thoroughly, getting inside the door jambs, trunk jamb and hood edge. You do not want any water lines dripping before applying the wax.

4. Use a wax applicator or a shop rag to apply an even, light coat of carnauba cleaning wax to the entire car. Apply the wax by hand, using a circular motion in a 1-foot diameter. Carnauba cleaning wax will remove the oxidation from the clear coat. You do not have to do this procedure in sections. Open the doors, trunk and hood to get a coat of cleaning wax inside the edges of these body panels.

5. Remove the wax with a shop rag after one hour. Remove the wax using the same circular motion that you used to apply it to avoid lines and streaks.

Detail Waxing and Finishing

1. Rinse the car thoroughly, making sure you remove all the residue from the carnauba wax. Dry the car with shop rags, making sure you get into the crevices.

2. Apply clear coat wax lightly, in sections, to your vehicle. Use a wax applicator or shop rag. Start by applying the clear coat to a fender. Set your buffer at high speed. Use the hand-held buffer to buff the clear coat wax onto each section. Do not use much pressure on the buffer as you are just trying to shine the car.

3. Remove any dust or debris with a shop rag. Rinse and then dry the entire vehicle thoroughly. Open the doors, hood and trunk to ensure that you remove any excess water from the jambs of these panels.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your car a good coat of wax at least twice a year. Waxing the car does not just add to its curb appeal. By adding wax, you repel the water and oxidation that cause rust, so your car's body holds together longer.

• When using a hand-held buffer, use a pair of gloves and eye shields for safety. Flying debris from the vehicle surface can cause injury.

References

• Dart-Creations: Car Wax

Resources

• AutoZone