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How do you fix a faded clear coat on a car?
My car’s getting older and has seen a lot of harsh weather, but I intend to keep driving it for a while. It looks like my clear coat has faded—there are big splotches where it looks lighter and feels rough. How can you fix a faded clear coat on a car?
Bellina Gaskey · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It’s good to hear your car is still going strong, even if the exterior is a little beat-up! Luckily, you can fix a faded clear coat on a car with sandpaper and clear coat spray paint as long as the damage isn’t too severe.
Specifically, you will need:
- Sandpaper: 600-grit, 800-grit, and 1200-grit
- Wax and grease remover
- Microfiber cloth
- Clear coat spray paint
- Water
This process will take several hours, so be prepared to commit a good chunk of your day to this repair.
Start by lightly sanding the faded areas with the 600-grit sandpaper, keeping the sandpaper wet with running water to prevent scratches. You don’t need to press very hard. Go until the area appears dull.
Then, repeat the process with 800-grit sandpaper and then 1200-grit. After the third iteration, rinse and dry the car.
Next, apply wax and grease remover to a soft, clean microfiber cloth and wipe the entire area down. This ensures any smudges, grime, and fingerprints are removed.
Finally, spray the faded areas with clear coat spray paint. Work gently and spray from about six inches away to avoid causing the paint to run. Put on a total of three coats and let the paint dry for at least three hours before touching.
It can be difficult to keep your car physically maintained, but financial protection in the form of good
car insurance
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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