My 01 F150 was repainted (dont know how long ago) and has some paint fade and looks like crap in the daylight. Its all over the hood and around the doors. Is there any way to fix this without repainting the truck? Thanks for the help

 

Clear coat is oxidized or failing. Try buffing it with a heavy cut cleaner and wax it. Pics would help to give you more suggestions.

 

What kind of heavy cut cleaner do you recomend? Here is a picture of the bad fading on the hood.

 

It's hard to tell from that pic. I use Miguiars with a terry cloth bonnet on the buffer. It works good for removing oxidation, just be careful. If the clear coat is thin, you can blow right threw it and be down to bare paint (which is dull). But if that is the case, it needs to be redone anyway so you don't have much to lose.

Here is a link to the product. You should be able to find it at an auto parts store.
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/produc...do?q=MEG+M0416

If the heavy cut cleaner works, hit it with Miguiars cleaner wax or their 3-step cleaner/glaze/wax to finish it off. Always wax your vehicle once a year or more. My Ranger is 10 years old and the paint still looks new.

 

Actually, now that I look at it again, I think the clear is failing, but it's still hard to see with the glare from the sun. Run your hand over it. See if it feels all pitted.

 

Ok thanks. I usually wax my truck once a month, but the previous owner had it repainted and either the paint job was terrible or he didnt take care of it. I just want it looking a lot better without having to repaint it. Do you recomend using a buffer or just a little elbow grease work too? It doesnt feel pitted at all, just looks terrible. Thanks a lot for the advise! Keep it coming

 

The heavy cut is designed to be used with a buffer and terry cloth bonnet. I use a low speed buffer, like a craftsman or something you find at walmart. High speed buffers make it easy to burn throught the paint if you aren't careful. But if you don't have one, a lot of very light rubbing with a terry cloth applicator should work. No real pressure, just light swirls. Think of using a buffer, just let the weight of the buffer be the pressure and let the buffer do the work.

 

Do you know how much those buffers cost? Going to the store tomorrow to get some Meguiar's Heavy Cut Cleaner. Hopefully I can get it to work, Im sick of looking at it.

 

$40 to $60 for a decent one. Get several terry bonnetsfor the cleaner or a cleaner wax and a wax bonnet if you plan on using a strait wax to finish it off. I like the miguiars tech series. If you plan on using a glaze in between the cleaner and wax get a foam bonnet. A buffer is a great investment.

 

I have a buffer I can use from my neighbor, maybe I will just use that. Not sure what brand at this moment but know it just has one speed. Plan on doing heavy cut cleaner then cleaner wax probably unless there is a better way. All this help is much apreciated!