2004 Clear Coat / Paint Fading

enchanted egg · Jul 30, 2017

Howdy All. I have a 2004 Offroad Gray Touareg whose hood and roof areas specifically are showing either clear coat or paint fading. Not sure exactly which. I am looking for suggestions before I consider a fresh repaint of those areas (approx. $1100). We had a parking lot fender bender (dent and run) a few months back and the shop that repaired the major dent did a great job of matching paint to the rest of the car. I also asked about the hood and roof and their paint and detailing folks said they couldn't do anything in the way of 'buffing' it to look good. A repaint is needed.

So I need other opinions and help. Here are the details: The car lives outside, no garage. I am derelict in that I have not waxed it in a few years. I live in NM which means hot summers and cold (snow sometimes) winters. Though we would like more snow but it does at least get downright cold (teens and 20's).

I have gone to Autogeek.com and looked around but honestly, there are so many different products out there proclaiming to do the same thing, it's really confusing as to which item is best and will work. Also which is the better way -- repaint, have someone professionally detail the car, or I pick up something recommended here on Club Touareg and do the job myself, which I'm fine doing.

Looking for questions, comments, thoughts, concerns. :smile2:

Thanks.

FSJ Guy · Jul 31, 2017

Once clear coat is gone, it's gone. You will need a repaint.

The bright southwest sun is murder on paint. Here in Colorado, the high altitude sun is murder on paint. The vehicles with paint jobs I value are parked in a garage.

enchanted egg · Jul 31, 2017

Garage is not an option. But I am considering a carport. I still need to figure out what to do with the hood and roof. After they are rejuvenated I might get a cover at least for the short term.

nickyt · Jul 31, 2017

Once repaired, either hand wax it at least once every 6 months, or find a good car wash that uses a high quality liquid wax, aka a paint protection and sealant. The liquid stuff is not as long lasting as hand applied, but the high quality liquids last 6 to 8 weeks. A once a month "loaded" wash will really make a difference.

Both methods put a coat of UV inhibitors and paint conditioners on your clear coat. The end result is that your paint will look better for far longer then if you don't do anything. Your clear coat also acts as an UV inhibitor for the layer of color under it. Protecting the clearcoat protects the pigment layer underneath it.

A carport will help a lot. A garage is better, but Carports are worth it. They are a lot better then just sitting out in the open.

enchanted egg · Aug 5, 2017

nickyt said:
A carport will help a lot. A garage is better, but Carports are worth it. They are a lot better then just sitting out in the open.

The interesting thing is I have a 1987 white GTi - yep, I'm the original owner. It has never been garaged. Sits outside all the time. There's a couple spots where the clear coat, or whatever it was called back three decades ago, is lightly spotted. Otherwise when I wash the car it looks pretty darn good. I'd say that paint technology, while it's gotten probably more technical over the years, still doesn't do any good if it's not applied right. But I like both my cars.

TurboMeTroy · Aug 7, 2017

Repaint it.

enchanted egg · Aug 11, 2017

Now where did I put that can of spray paint ... just kidding. :wink2:

macadamia · Aug 18, 2017

check out adams polishes. they have great videos of how to use their products.

StoicDude · Aug 18, 2017

2004 Off Road Gray here too. The person that owned it before me took care of the vehicle, but I doubt she or her husband waxed and polished it.
What I found on the flat areas (hood and roof) is that the clear coat was getting very discolored and showing signs of oxidation.
I did some polishing with an orbital buffer, medium cutting pad and Meguiars #2.
Followed up with Meguiars Ultimate paste wax.
Took me about an hour of work. I could have been faster, but I was just playing around.
I could have gotten probably better results with a more aggressive polish and pad, but I always try to go with less abrasive first.

I'm happy with the results. Curious to see if the fading/ oxidation will return.

My suggestion would be to invest in an orbital polisher and some pads.
Get a nice polish and try to do it yourself.
If you like detailing cars, it will be a great investment.

If the paint/ clear coat is already peeling, you will have to repaint it most likely.

Here are before and after pictures.

enchanted egg · Aug 19, 2017

StoicDude said:
2004 Off Road Gray here too. What I found on the flat areas (hood and roof) is that the clear coat was getting very discolored and showing signs of oxidation. I did some polishing with an orbital buffer, medium cutting pad and Meguiars #2.
Followed up with Meguiars Ultimate paste wax. Took me about an hour of work. I could have been faster, but I was just playing around.
I could have gotten probably better results with a more aggressive polish and pad, but I always try to go with less abrasive first.

I'm happy with the results. Curious to see if the fading/ oxidation will return.

My suggestion would be to invest in an orbital polisher and some pads. Get a nice polish and try to do it yourself. If you like detailing cars, it will be a great investment.

Here are before and after pictures.

I haven't done anything yet so seeing your post is great. You had the same thing in the same areas as my car. I have a small orbital unit (used to slowly take the dead paint off my wife's orange '74 Super Beetle). I like the Meguiars products so I'm going to follow what you did, maybe even get a chance this weekend. I appreciate your input. I'll post as soon as I get this accomplished. :smile2:

StoicDude · Aug 18, 2017

My car is in Reno, NV and was previously in Incline Village NV. High altitude, hot summers, cold winters.
Its not garaged now and I don't think it was before.

I ve had plenty of cars that weren't garaged before but we're waxed every 1-3 months and clayed and polished every 6 months and never had issues with paint. This was in NYC and Reno.

craigedmonds · Dec 15, 2020

Would a ceramic coating protect against this?

Obviously before the fact.

The paintwork on my 2004 is excellent but I am thinking to get a ceramic coat put on it for some extra protection.

volkswagens-for-life · Jan 10, 2022

Yep, it sure would. Make sure your paint is 1000% perfect and detailed (not waxed) before applying ceramic if you're trying it yourself (its miserable.. just pay someone).

Phalanx_71 · Jan 7, 2022

My 2008 is doing the same thing on the hood and the top. Im considering a new paint job, with a flat or matte finish instead

2004 Clear Coat / Paint Fading

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