04' Corolla Paint Fading (Pics)

[Nimh18]

Hey everyone. For the past few weeks I have been keep an eye on my roof of my 2004 Corolla seeing if the fading is getting worse, and indeed it has been. What I've been told is that a "touch-up" paint wouldn't work, as it is intended for scratches, so I am here asking if anyone has had any success or knows anything about a product that could possibly slow down or even cover the fading? The look of it doesn't bother me, I just don't want it to rust and would prefer not paying a ton to repaint the entire roof.





The pictures make it seem a lot more visible than it really is, but not by a ton.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[mikered30]

You can fix it yourself if you want or take it to a detailer.

You will need buy a good quality PC and some compounds like Meguiars #83 and #80 and then a high quality sealant. Meguiars will remove the oxidation and the polish to lock in the look. It maybe cheaper to take it to the detailer than to do it yourself. The autopia forum maybe more helpful.

I am guessing it was never waxed?

[Nimh18]

Originally Posted by mikered30

You can fix it yourself if you want or take it to a detailer.

You will need buy a good quality PC and some compounds like Meguiars #83 and #80 and then a high quality sealant. Meguiars will remove the oxidation and the polish to lock in the look. It maybe cheaper to take it to the detailer than to do it yourself. The autopia forum maybe more helpful.

I am guessing it was never waxed?

First of all, thank you for your advice.

I have never waxed my car personally, nor do I know if previous owners have. I will be sure to go to the autopia forum and do more research. I would prefer to take to to a professional if its not an easy fix, since I'm not that familiar with car repair.

Thanks.

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by Nimh18

First of all, thank you for your advice.

I have never waxed my car personally, nor do I know if previous owners have. I will be sure to go to the autopia forum and do more research. I would prefer to take to to a professional if its not an easy fix, since I'm not that familiar with car repair.

Thanks.

Post those pics over there, they are really helpful. They may even recommend a detailer in your area.

I think it is a fairly easy fix, but the start up cost is high. I doubt you could fix that by hand, a PC is the way to go.

[Gonz]

Looks like clear coat failure to me. Polishing and waxing will probably make it look better, but the only way to permanently fix it is to repaint the roof.

EDIT: Also, it's not going to rust. The base coat is still there so moisture can't make it to the metal.

[tran.nguyen]

I have same problem. Paint is faded to ED base coat.
I cannot tell if it is due to problem with top coat or the way it ran through the paint booths. However, definitely a mfg defect. I own all types of Toyota vehicles for years and one thing that seems to out last eveything else is the paint job. So for a 2004 Corolla to start fading by 2008, it is clearly poor workmanship at the US plant. This was not an imported model.

Lastly, I see several Corrollas driving around in same condition as mine so I'm hoping for a class action suit to follow.

[johnoh]

you can spend a little or a lot here, depending on what you are after. Sounds like you are looking to spend only a little.

I'd go to the busiest neighborhood car wash/detailer and ask them to discuss your options. They will be able to make it look a whole lot better, at least to the point where it will be able to be waxed (right now it would not even benefit from a wax) for a hundred bucks (?), give or take. That's if you are willing to live it with it being smooth and shiny, but still somewhat discolored. You have to be sure to tell them you do not care so much about the color, just smoothness and preservation. Then just be sure to keep it waxed and it will not get any worse. I have a similar situation with my hood, and I wax it every month or two. Only takes a few minutes since I'm not doing the whole car, just the hood.

[Indigo04]

My car looks like yours. I have the same make, model, and color. It just ticks me off. Please let me know what you find out. If your fix works well, please post.