Paint

[Fiero91]

Yes, I know, it's not actually pain but red plastic.

Hey, I'm Matt, 20, and my mom bough a Fiero brand new in 84. Basically it sat outside without being driven for about 16 years, and I just finished restoring it to driving condition. My problem is, over the years, the sun bleached the paint (or plastic outer shell if you like) causing the bright shiny red to turn to a dull white-pink. Is there anything I can do myself to repair this damage, or would my best bet be to take it to a paint and body shop and have it repainted?

Additional info: The paint is mainly just faded, relatively free of scratches and is not cracked, I'd be willing to put time and effort and money into it, but would it be possible to do myself cheaper than a body shop would charge me?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Oreif]

The plastic panels are painted not molded in color. If it is faded you can rent a buffer and buff it yourself with a good polish. If the clear coat is damaged or worn away your only choice is to repaint the car. Go buy some Meguire's Body Scrub, Deep Crystal Polish and some wax. Buff with the Body Scrub followed by the polish. If there is any hope you should be able to get it back to red. If it works then coat it with the wax.

 

[Fiero91]

Thanks for the info and ideas, I tried buffing it out and in the less damaged areas it worked great but in the really bad areas all it did was make the faded reddish-pink color more even instead of blotchy, I then waxed it, it doesn't look anything like it should, but it's good enough until I can get it painted!