Fading Paint

[Steve Gregory]

I have had many Land Rovers and Range Rovers over the years but I find that only those manufactured after 1993 are all prone to fading paint.

Is this normal ? If so, why ? Why is my 1984 and 1988 Range Rover paint still in as good as new condition, both outside in the elements and yet both my 96 and 2000 Land Rovers have extremely fading paint.

Is this an Australian phenomena or does it occur everywhere ?

The Range Rovers are projects and the Land Rovers are daily drives.

Also, would a cut and polish fix this or is a new paint job needed ?

Thank you ............. Steve Gregory.

[Classic88]

I believe formulations and processes started to change in the late 80s/early 90s with environmental laws requiring fewer Volatile Organic Compounds to be used. So the older, tougher 'enamel' style paints were discontinued in favour of multilayer processes that included a clearcoat. I think it's usually the clearcoat that breaks down.

[Fausto79]

I have had many Land Rovers and Range Rovers over the years but I find that only those manufactured after 1993 are all prone to fading paint.

Is this normal ? If so, why ? Why is my 1984 and 1988 Range Rover paint still in as good as new condition, both outside in the elements and yet both my 96 and 2000 Land Rovers have extremely fading paint.

Is this an Australian phenomena or does it occur everywhere ?

The Range Rovers are projects and the Land Rovers are daily drives.

Also, would a cut and polish fix this or is a new paint job needed ?

Thank you ............. Steve Gregory.

the white and dark blue ones lasted longer apparently. the clear coat usually goes which is why you get the peeling look and then the paint underneath is prone to damage. best thing is to wet fine sandpaper the clear coat back and see how the paint underneath is. if you are good, you can just sand back the clear coat where needed and then spray those spots with more clear, but i mean real good as in you are a panel beater with years of experience.

otherwise i would sand back the whole panel and if the pain it damaged sand that back until smooth too. lots of water and fine sand paper. takes a while. if you are still in the paint layer then apply two coats of same paint code, then a half paint half clear coat layer, then 3 or 4 clear coats. once properly dry, use water again (a spray bottle helps) and keep wetting the roof as you sand with very fine sand paper to remove the orange peel look. clean it off and let dry, then use a cut polish.

option three is just leave it as is and live with it being faded. one day id like to paint mine but for now i need to live with it.

[Steve Gregory]

Thanks people

On both my Land Rovers I have noticed it is only on the roof and bonnets which are steel unlike the rest of the body which is Burnbrite alloy which makes me wonder if this may also be responsible, I am aware that both Range rovers have Burnbrite roof and bonnets and wonder why this was discontinued on the Land Rover Discovery's, they both have steel frames so weight bearing is not the problem.

I'm prepared to live with it at the moment but I also have a Rover 75 Connoisseur in British Racing Green which is an all steel body and the paint is the same but only on the top parts of the car, like the Discovery's ie : Bonnett, Boot and Roof, as with the Discovery's the sides are pristine so I am wondering if it is the hot Australian sun and we do get scorchers now here in Melbourne.

Thank you .............. Steve Gregory

[Classic88]

Thanks people

On both my Land Rovers I have noticed it is only on the roof and bonnets which are steel unlike the rest of the body which is Burnbrite alloy which makes me wonder if this may also be responsible, I am aware that both Range rovers have Burnbrite roof and bonnets and wonder why this was discontinued on the Land Rover Discovery's, they both have steel frames so weight bearing is not the problem.

I'm prepared to live with it at the moment but I also have a Rover 75 Connoisseur in British Racing Green which is an all steel body and the paint is the same but only on the top parts of the car, like the Discovery's ie : Bonnett, Boot and Roof, as with the Discovery's the sides are pristine so I am wondering if it is the hot Australian sun and we do get scorchers now here in Melbourne.

Thank you .............. Steve Gregory

Rangie bonnets are steel too. As is the tailgate I believe. Roof is ally though.

[Fausto79]

i would have thought due to sun and most exposed areas of car. mine has some fading clear coat change going do the back pillars of vehicle too and more on one side than other. i think the previous owner had it outside always parked same way.

the roof and bonnet has been painted on mine by previous owner and looked bad. when i took off roof rails on mine and plugged up holes i ended up doing a full spray job on roof. took windscreen out and alpines and treated rust etc. painted. the roof looks good now except windscreen leaking again now. the bonnet still looks average.

one thing i am thinking now that this came up is i can possibly start painting it panel by panel. it will look funny for a while but i could still mostly drive the car and sneak small funds bit by bit past the wife instead of one big bill.

[PhilipA]

The key to fixing it cheaply is fixing it when the clear coat is milky and not peeling.
If you prime and paint over milky clear coat it will protect it from further sun damage.
I sprayed mine with cans of primer, silver, then clear coat and there has been no peeling over 2 years .
once the clear coat is peeling you are up for a much increased cost due to the extensive stripping and sanding required.
Regards Philip A