Calypso Red Fade

[nhaynes]

I've just acquired my new Calypso Red Elan SE, not sure if I've got ICI or DuPont paint. I'm delighted with it, especially the paint which is mainly original. I've noticed when I lower the hood that the hood cover is a little faded on the area that is always exposes to the sun. The area that is inside the hood when it is up appears totally unfaded. The fuel filler cap and rear spoiler are also very slightly faded.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Is there any way to restore the faded paint? I'm wary about using T-Cut as I believe the paint is a combination of primers and undercoats, base colour coat gel with a clear coat finish. Thus all T-Cut will do is cut through the clear coat. Am I correct? Are ther any other products that can restore the faded paint or is re-spraying the only option? If so, I think this will probably look worse as it will be more red than the rest of the car which has all faded together. I must stress my Elan is not pink - just very very slightly faded the areas mentioned above.
2. Are there any products available to prevent further fading? I have the car stored in a car port under a fitted car cover but I obviously like to use it when the sun is out!
3. How do I find out if I have ICI or DuPont paint? Which fades worse?

I'd appreciate any comments.

Thanks,
Neil.

[ashm]

"Calypso Pink" is a problem that both of my cars have suffered from to some extent, and my newer one suffers from the "orange peel" clearcoat lifting issue on the bootlid and hood deck. I found that T-cut followed by diligent waxing did improve the former considerably. It seems like the fade is at least partially some kind of oxidation on the surface of the paint, which you can reduce by cutting it back and then making sure it's well protected.
Of course, it all depends just how bad it is. Both of my cars have been in need of a respray to be honest, although that comes pretty much at the bottom of my priority list after any mechanical and interior work. It sounds like yours is much better than either of mine!
Adam

[Gordon]

The original paint is clear-over-base, and in my experience, it's actually the clear coat going slightly milky that causes the pink effect.
Hence, T-Cutting will help, as it removes a small amount of the clear coat (the opaque damaged surface), restoring it to clear (rather than milky), and giving you true red again from the base coat.

Obviously, the more this is done, the thinner the clear coat becomes, eventually getting that thin that it's bond to the base coat starts to break down, and then the peeling sets in...

The base coat on mine had held its colour well, but once you get peeling laquer, respraying is probably the easiest option to get a decent finish....

all IMHO of course...

Gordon.

[rip]

ICI paint is more prone to fading than DuPont.

[Sy V]

.. and all you ever wanted to know about paint is here!