Restoring Faded and Oxidized Car Paint 

If you own your car for a long time, then it’s a no-brainer that your vehicle will take a beating from the sun. This typically happens to cars that are left out in the brutal sun without a cover and without being stored away in a garage. We know it can be confusing to know how to bring car paint back to life. That’s why we’re here with the details on how to make old car paint look new again!

Typically, car paint can be restored at home by following the steps listed below. However, if your car paint starts to have blotchy white areas, then you won’t be able to restore your paint color completely without the help of professionals. This is where the Toyota of North Charlotte body shop comes in. Our team of experts will assess your car’s paint and determine whether it can be restored or whether it needs a full repaint. You can get a complimentary estimate online, or reach out to us directly at (704)-659-2040 and we’ll be happy to help.

How to Restore Car Paint 

Wash the Car

First, thoroughly clean your car’s exterior. Rinse the car, then wash with soap using gentle sponges and clothes to avoid further damaging the paint. Rinse all the soap off and dry the car before proceeding.

Clean with Detailing Clay

Next, use detailing clay to remove oxidation from the paint. Oxidation happens when your car is exposed to the sun, salt on the roads, and smog. Detailing clay can be found at auto parts stores, and it can work wonders on dull and lifeless paint.

Buff with Rubbing Compound

To tackle your car’s deeper scratches and spots of heavy oxidation, use a rubbing compound. This gritty liquid removes contaminants and smooths the surface of your car. Buff it in by hand and you’ll see a difference – you just might have to use some elbow grease to have your car glistening again. You can try this on your own, or you can bring your car into our Body Shop if you’d rather a professional handle it.

Sanding

Sanding is another method to restore your paint to its previous glorious days. We recommend using between 1,000-3,000 grit and even higher. This can also be used to sand out light scratches on your paint. However, after sanding, you’ll need to machine polish your car as well. This will have your car paint looking brand new again!

Machine Polishing

You can buy a machine polisher and use either a wool pad (that is more aggressive) or a foam pad (less aggressive) to sand your car’s paint. If you’re uncomfortable using this on your sweet whip or don’t want to buy the machine, then bring your car to us. We can machine polish your car’s paint to smooth it out and remove imperfections.

Glazing 

This stage in the restoration process is where those swirly spots left from the wool buffing pad will be removed. This is typically performed with a gentle foam pad and a non-abrasive glaze/swirl remover.

Waxing

Now that your paint is renewed, it’s time for some good old wax! This will also preserve your car and keep the UV rays from ruining your paint all over again.

Car Paint Restoration Near Charlotte

If you need to have your paint restored back to its glory days, then our Body Shop in Huntersville is your go-to destination. Make an appointment with our team and they’ll handle your vehicle’s restoration. You can trust our team to treat your car with care and attention to detail.