The best way to restore paintwork is...?

[alexa]

My 1995 405 GLX TD is a nice cherry red that, even before I did some Turtle Wax colour waxing, was as bright and fresh as the day it rolled out the factory (I'm guessing!) but the bonnet has faded, over time, to a not so becoming dull pinkish-orange. My family’s 309 did the same thing years ago (except this was all over and in varying degrees due to a new wing etc) and I’m sorry that my chariot has succumbed to this terrible misfortune as well. I was told that the heat from the engine, coupled with the constant sunlight, rain etc has faded the colour so I promptly got in there with my colour wax and did the bonnet too. Obviously, it has been impossible not to get smears, swirls and lines as the wax is richer and darker than the paintwork and, after a few light coats of wax, it’s looking much redder but rather streaky! I’ve been reading that the reason for faded paintwork is oxidation etc and that a cut or a colour restorer can remove a very slight layer of paint and reveal a smashing new colour underneath. Hurrah! But I’ve also read stories of people removing far more than a slight layer and I’m a little concerned that I might damage it!

Does anyone know the integrity of Peugeot’s paintwork on a car of this age? And also for a bonnet sitting above a feisty turbo diesel engine? And can anyone recommend a product that would restore the colour easily and without risk of damaging the paintwork forever? I also can’t afford to use complicated equipment such as polishing machines so I’ll be in the garden with a rag and a chamois! And if I were to use a cut etc, could i do this on top of the wax layers now on the bonnet?
Thanks!

[Admin]

Hi

I've turned your red off as it burnt my eyes. if you want people to read your post and help you, best not to fry their optic nerve! ;-)

Red is a bugger for doing this on any car. There are several paint restorers that will bring it back. Try those before resorting to T-cut, which will remove layers of paint! Normal colour wax just won't do the job I'm afraid!

It's not a specific Pug problem, you see loads of red and blue cars like this. Modern paints are much better at resisting fade though.