paint question

[RadeOn]

I'm a complete noob in painting. I just got a wagon wing that was supposed to be colomatched to my car, so I was hoping to save on painting.
The problem is that aparently my car's paint has faded quite a bit, and the spoiler looks a tone off (although matches the color of paint that did you get sun exposure).
Now with questions:
1) Is it possible to reverse the fading to some extent?
2) Is there a way to make the spoiler look a tad lighter without completely repainting it? Maybe some "fading" coating?

My car is Mica Ruby Pearl.

Thanks.

[StatGSR]

u could hit the car with some rubbing compound (not the really abrasive stuff, i like the 3M stuff) and good polish/wax job, that should help bring back some of the shine...

hey are u on MNsubaru?

[RadeOn]

Its not really the shine that is missing, but a color is lighter than it used to be. I'll try it though.
I'm registered on mnsubaru, but not really reading it. Just classifieds and snow pics :)

[StatGSR]

yea well even the pink on my integra turned into a darker red after doing this, so that may be enough to make it look better.

as for mnsubaru, u should post some, go to some of the friday firestone meets, lots of cool guys down in the cities that i wish i got to hang out with more. did u see the ice race vid i posted up about the last ice race?

[RadeOn]

Sure I saw that vid. I really wish I could spend more time hanging around, go to auto-x/ice races etc, but I cannot until I write my freaking thesis, which is going nowhere at the moment. :mad:

So what's the name of this 3m rubbing compund?
Is it in this list? (http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GSTXYZM7W0be/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/gvel_GSRKGRPJV4gl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html)

[StatGSR]

tho my bottle doesnt look like this (older style), i would say its this one..
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en00 ... utput_html (http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_7F0C5CR12Rbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/gvel_GSRKGRPJV4gl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html)

should be about 6 bux at a walmart or autoparts store.

[RadeOn]

Thanks a lot!

[RadeOn]

Tried this compound on a test area. Did not get squat in terms of color. Just got shinier finish. I suppose all it did - treat clearcoating. And with clearcoating on top of paint there's no good way to get to the faded paint without destroying the clearcoat.
Oh well, I'm too lazy to to paint my spoiler, so I'm gonna mount it anyway, even though it will look off for a while, until it fades :)

[StatGSR]

did u wax it right after too?

[RadeOn]

did u wax it right after too?
Yes, the test area that is. It does look better, but not in terms of color, at least when I look at it at 90 degree angle. When I look at it from the side - it does look a little different color, but mainly because of better reflectivity.
Thanks for your help anyway. I will try another test area, and work on it twice as long, just to be sure.

[backpack09]

Unfortunately, any color red fades the fastest out all the colors out there. The pigment itself is weak and breaks down over time.

If you need it spot on, The wing will have to be resprayed. Any body/paint man worth his weight in mask, should be able to match the faded paint. Unfortunaly this will proabably still run you a couple of bills.

[backpack09]

tho my bottle doesnt look like this (older style), i would say its this one..
http://products3.3m.com/...blah blah blah
should be about 6 bux at a walmart or autoparts store.

Hyperlink button? :)