Paint fadeing

[Royville]

Hi,

Can any one wise in the world of bodywork offer some advise on my problem.
Over the past six months or so the ruby red paint on my bonnet has faded away. Now it looks a complete mess (see photo). The car is a 1996 C180 Elegance, and the rest of the bodywork is fine.
What is the cause of this? and how can I fix it?
Regards
Roy

 

[Aussie Nick]

Red colours are severely affected by ultra violet radiation. This is probably the cause given the car's age. A respray is the only remedy which will also cure the stone chips. Use agood quality polish often.

 

[jibcl500]

Its not the paint but the clear coat finish thats crazing, at some point the bonnet was repainted. The problem is the damage to the clear coat isnt just on the surface but right through so polishing wont make a difference and polishing might actually make it worse as the polish fills the cracks thus causes more blooming of the finish.

Only option is a repaint on the bonnet, might be worth popping into a bodyshop and ask them what they think.

I had a similar problem on a range rover bonnet, I poured boiling water on the clear coat to soften it and rubbed it off and then polished the paint finish.

jib

 

[Bolide]

A good bodyshop would prep & paint the bonnet and the wingtops and feather the paint at the swage line. If their colour-matching is any good the only clue that it's been painted will be the absence of stone chips

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Royville]

Thanks for the replys, Looks like a repaint job then.
Any idea on the cost?
Roy

 

[jberks]

I'd have thought £100 - £200 to do a decent job, depending on the bodyshop and whether you're paying cash.