Seeking advice for paint job

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07-26-2018, 10:57 AM

Drew L

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Seeking advice for paint job

I have an 04 TL and want to preserve the paint / clear coat on it. It has some rock chips in the front bumper / fender and one of the chips turned into a bubble. I don’t have the extra money to go to the body as I know it’s gonna cost a ton but I want to preserve it the best I can til I have the money next year. I tried washing it with meguiars soap / wax protection and it cleaned it good but noticed my paint on the bumper looks more faded. I’m scared to wash it again and strip more clear / paint. Any ideas ??

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07-26-2018, 11:33 AM

thoiboi

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Get it repainted properly before protection else why bother protecting

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07-26-2018, 12:41 PM

08KBP_VA

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Washing wont strip more clear. You can keep applying wax to hold it over but once clear starts fading theres not much else to do than respray it.

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07-26-2018, 12:57 PM

losiglow

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Plastidip it.

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07-26-2018, 03:08 PM

gatrhumpy

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If the paint is bubbling, that's rust underneath the paint. Get rid of the rust with a Dremel, clean properly, and then apply touch up until you can get it properly painted.

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07-26-2018, 10:01 PM

GhostTL09

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this is the 1st time I've ever read someone is scared to wash their car.

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04-06's have had clear/paint fading issues. You can't preserve something that is already deteriorated. I would say wash and keep as clean as you can.

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07-27-2018, 07:25 AM

frankjnjr

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IMO: Some pics., would be helpful. Washing the car, should not cause any additional damage to the paint, or clear. If, there are small "bubbles", or pockets, forming, under the clear, sand, to the outer edge of the bubble, and re-clear it, to prevent it from spreading, until you can repair it properly.

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07-27-2018, 11:53 AM

guitarplayer16

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The front bumper will generally be more faded than anything else as the clear coat sustains damage from road debris.
Just picture minuscule rocks hitting every part of the front bumper over a span of 10+ years. The clear coat is no longer uniform, hence you get a faded look.

My A-Spec front lip was bought brand new in 2010, around 5 years later (and it being close to the ground) it looks faded.

Last edited by guitarplayer16; 07-27-2018 at 11:56 AM.