Spot fix old paint?

2002 Tundra with lots of time in the sun. Not ready for a full paint job yet. How can I enhance the look? Here is a pick of the fender well area. The cab roof is similar. I watched some youtube video that look like a buff job and coating may help me for a while.

 

Clearcoat peeled....needs paint.

 

Do you think wet sanding would improve this at all?

Looks like that fender can be removed easily and the rest of the paint, except the top of the cab, looks much better. I am considering taking off that piece, wet sand or whatever (youtube here I come) and then have a paint shop mix up a can of the original paint. Is there some sense in how good this will look afterwards, assuming my technique is good? I guess I wonder if the new paint will be a mismatch just because the other paint is much older.

I am thinking of compounding and then polishing the rest of the vehicle to see how it looks.

 

Wet sanding WILL NOT improve this. Base coat has no gloss until clear coated. Wet sanding will only remove the base coat. Forget "technique"...I was always told that entire panels have to be clear coated. Your options: Live with it or have a professional refinish for you.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I admit I am having a hard time swallowing your advice though. I just watched a few hours of people repairing plastic fenders like this and it seems doable, not professional, but doable.

I am very open to being convinced otherwise. Sand, plastic paint adhesive, base coat, clear coat and all the details in between. No?

 

Get color match from automotivetouchup.com , get base and 2k clear. You may not need the plastic paint adhesive layer because you're not taking off all the paint You're just sanding it down to where primer and the base can grip

Tape off area, sand with 600 grit, prime, sand again, wait 10 minutes between each coat base 2-3times and wait 30 minutes then clear, waiting 10-20 in between coats.

If your spring skills isn't that great yet you can practice on a piece of cardboard

If you prep correctly and take your time it should come out very very nice.

 

Thanks. It seems getting quality paint is a big part of getting a good result. As well as prep work.

 

There’s a YouTubes channel called “paint society”. The guy’s good. A true professional auto painter. His episode on rattle can may be helpful to you.

 

Thanks. I am going to watch every video I can find!

 

If you prep correctly and take

Yes, prep and good quality paint but important is the clear, you want the harden clear than get the 2k clear - those that they sell at the automotive stores won't harden and won't last very long. You can actually sand and buff these stuff.

 

Well. I think I am going to step back. I have been going gun ho on this truck and I looked at the hood an honestly it could use a repaint too. So backing away from this whole idea. Maybe a whole new paint job done by a pro is in the future. But for now, just enjoy the new to me ride...

 

Just found this thread. I have almost the exact same problems. I’ve thought about what you are with repainting parts myself. I came to the same conclusion As you and come spring, she’s being repainted by a pro.

 

Soon?

I'd love to see before and after photos.

 

Plan is this coming spring, April -May 2021. Been doing a lot of additional high mileage maintenance on the truck and plan on it being my daily driver for 5 - 10 more years. So wife and I agree we love the truck so much, let’s paint it! Seen people talk online about anything from $3k - $6k for the whole truck. Haven’t started getting quotes yet but hoping it’s closer to $3k haha. Have a few mechanical things I want to do first in the meantime.
Will definitely post extensive before and after photos as well as cost. It’s been a PIA figuring out a ballpark on cost. Found one guy on YouTube, same exact car color, has it repainted 3 years ago for $2400!! Still looks great. He’s in Cali though so not trying to compare prices from West coast to Best coast : )

 

Keep forgetting to hit quote..see above. Haha

 

So I got squirrelly today and went to the local paint shop to get a quote.

$8k-$10k to paint the whole truck. Offers a lifetime guarantee, which require taking the bed off and other parts to ensure total coverage.

$1755 to paint my roof, hood, and tailgate. Those are the worst spots on my truck. Also said it will be noticeable different in color. They can match the best they can but it is what it is.

Prepping to DIY my fenders and tailgate this winter. Will tag you when I start.

Heartbroken....

 

That is $$$. Well, I put in an order for the supplies to DIY as well. I am going to study more and wait until I am rested before going at it. Everytime I get in the truck the paint on the cab stares at me...I swear.

 

yea not what i wanted to hear. its about $3k in just paint (5 gallons). i talked to him for a while about it and he gave me some good ideas and options. He said in HIS opinion DupliColor was the closest match to OEM paint, ive read mixed reviews about that. I personally bought Happy Motors off Amazon, havent tried so i cant speak to its accuracy, but $30 a can is worth a try.

Another option he said people do is a wrap, obviously. Bout $3k for a good one and it last 10 years....not my cup of tea personally.

Ill be doing some testing on small parts, fenders, mirrors, and then tailgate, and see how it goes painting it myself. My dad has experience painting cars (small and not a ton, but enough to be dangerous) and has a spray gun, so i may try that on the roof, but thats like $300 in just paint....

The last option we talked about...finding a used hood and roof and just replacing, polishing and waxing. Only problem i have with this is there isnt a truck in our year that isnt flaking or peeling in some way. His OPINION was its the timing on when our trucks were painted, early 2000s, and the water based paint technology was new and not perfected. He said its all cars of these years that do what ours are doing.

Hope this helps! looking forward to seeing your DIY painting!! Our trucks will be beautiful again! I feel the same about my paint, truck feels brand new, except when i look at it..haha!

 

The paint on the sides of my truck still is decent. I did a small compound, polish, and wax on the gas tank door to see what I could expect if I did the whole thing and it was a good improvement. I also anted up and got a dual action polisher to go the extra mile. I will be happy if the paint can look presentable for a few years.

 

Wet sand, compound, polish, and waxing significantly helped my trucks paint in most places. the places that are really bad where the paint/clear coat has chipped unfortunately are now filled with a small amount of wax and has turned white. Sort of made the clear coat chips really visible on the bumper. But im new to the detailing process and "paying for my learning" by going back and polishing off all the left over wax. Also be careful not to polish or wax any areas where the clear coat is going or completely gone. It will just take paint off and leave a haze...know from experience now.