Mazda Miata: Fading paint on one panel

In article <de>,
"Eric Baber" <com> wrote:
 

More likely, that door still has its original paint, and the other
panels have been repainted after collision repair.

I see this on my own red '94. The Meguiar's multi-step regimen has
brought back the shine, and all panels now match. You'll need an
abrasive cleaner to remove the dead paint, a polish to restore color and
depth, and a wax to protect the shine from the elements. Don't be
alarmed when your rag turns red--it's just the dead paint coming off.

It may take three hours to do the whole process, but you'll be amazed at
the result.

--
Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

> I see this on my own red '94. The Meguiar's multi-step regimen has 

Sounds scary!! How does paint go "dead"? And what's underneath? I've always
assumed that when you take off a layer of paint you're left with plain metal
underneath, but from what you say it sounds like there'll be healthy paint
underneath instead, is that right?
 

I tried polishing the car hoping that would do the trick and that's what
happened - the rag turned somewhat red. I didn't think to look whether any
more paint came off that panel than any of the others. (The polishing helped
for about a week by the way, then it went back to the way it was).
 

If it saves the cost of respraying the panel or even the whole car that's
definitely worth it.

Thanks Lanny!

Eric

> I see this on my own red '94. The Meguiar's multi-step regimen has 

I've had a look at the maeguiar.co.uk website and think that the following
sequence might do the trick, following your advice:

http://shop.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/catalog.pl?cat=BODY_PAINT#2 - Medallion
Premium Paint Cleaner
http://shop.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/catalog.pl?cat=BODY_POLISH#2 - Hand
Polish
http://shop.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/catalog.pl?cat=BODY_WAX#2 - Polymer
Sealant

Does that sound about right?

Thanks very much!

Eric

In article <de>,
"Eric Baber" <com> wrote:
 

That sounds good. I wonder how much difference exists between their
various products?

I use the pro-grade Mirror Glaze stuff in the tan bottles: #9 Swirl
Remover (you might need something more aggressive the first time) and
#26 Liquid Wax.

I just ran out of #26. I think I'll try the NXT Tech Wax next time.

--
Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

I believe you've got it right. Maguires makes pretty consistantly good
products. They even have a 'clay bar' treatment if you're into endless
hours of work for a better look. The problem with the polish only treatment
that you did is, it only took off part of the dead (oxidized) paint and then
put it's revitalizing oils into that somewhat less dead paint remaining,
when the bulk of the oils goes away the truth is revealed. That paint
cleaner will be more 'agressive' and the plan is to get down to good solid
paint. The amount you're removing is measured in microns, not likely you'll
go thru however, use some common sense in how far you take it.

There may even be an extensive article (IIRC) on rejuvinating the miata red
paint on miata.net, the results were pretty amazing.

Keep in mind the 'pretty' parts of your car could have been repainted with a
clearcoat system. You'll know if no red comes off in the cleaning stage,
that would change everything for those panels.

Chris
92BB&T

"Eric Baber" <com> wrote in message
news:de... 

"Chris D'Agnolo" <net> wrote:
 

Even more amazing is that people continue to buy red Miatas when
white ones are so much better looking even new and don't fade.

Obviously, at some time immemorial, a red sports car was used as a
car for a fire chief (red is preferred for such jobs since [1] its
inherent drag prevents eager fire fighters from exceeding the speed
limit too much; [2] it makes people want to get out of the way;
[3] it colors well next to the fire) and people never got around
to questioning whether red was really such a hot idea for a sports
car not used to attend fires.

Some even put loud horns on their non-fire duty red Miatas...

Leon

--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
To reply to me, the word Miata must be in the subject.
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

Ya, but they do peal don't they! I'm not sure what is so wierd about white
paint but it's given more than one mfr problems. I'm thinking of hundreds of
GM trucks and other products along with a bunch of white miatas that I've
seen divorcing their paint (only the early ones, don't remember seeing any
newer ones giving it up).

Neither can compete with the speed of the oh-so-Brilliant Black!
Unfortunately, my cars nose oxidizes as quick as anything I've ever seen,
regardless of what I try on it.

Chris
92BB&T

"Leon van Dommelen" <net> wrote in message
news:com... 
red 

> Even more amazing is that people continue to buy red Miatas when 

Yes, but red ones go faster, obviously.

;-)

Eric