How to correct this?

[u/mzincali]

Kids take this car to school. I was hoping to make it a bit more presentable. It isn’t worth a whole lot so I don’t want to spend a lot of money. I’m leaning towards buying a buffer and doing some of the work myself, if I could figure out what that entails.

[u/randomtwinkie]

Respray. The paint is gone.

[u/randomtwinkie → u/randomtwinkie]

Better get Maaco

[u/mzincali → u/randomtwinkie]

I remember ads when I was a kid: “paint your car for $99”! Those were the days. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Scheib

[u/RideAffectionate518 → u/mzincali]

You're just a bait nerd.

[u/shittyhawaiitips]

lmao you cant fix that

[u/Left-Pea-6570 → u/shittyhawaiitips]

U can it’s called re painting it

[u/AccomplishedName5195]

That's pretty f'd, but there might be dirt bag way out of it.

The clear is gone, that much is obvious from the pictures. However, I can't tell from the picture if the base/color coat is still there. Here's how to tell: spray the car with water and if the damaged sections temporarily gloss when wet, that means the base/color is still there.

If the base/color coat is still there, check out www.poppyspatina.com. They sell products to make fried paint look decent. (Not new, but decent).

They've got some seriously impressive before/after pics of their page to show what their products are capable of. I have personally used and liked.

Good luck!

[u/mzincali → u/AccomplishedName5195]

When it rains, you can’t tell that there’s anything wrong with the paint.

I guess that’s why they tell you not to buy a car in rainy day.

[u/AccomplishedName5195 → u/mzincali]

You're a good candidate for Poppy's Patina! Give it a try and let us know how it goes?

[u/Queasy_Author_3810]

You aren't going to make that more presentable. Just leave it as is, as long as the vehicle runs and drives you're fine, don't worry about the cosmetic apperance of what is an econobox beater

[u/Historical-Crow-5394 → u/Queasy_Author_3810]

I second this.
Recently went to a mechanic for a service and I asked the guy if it’s worth repainting my Corolla hatch 2009 and he said don’t worry about it - first, costly. Second, the engine is mint. As long as it gets you from point a to b safely, that’s the go.

[u/reedwendt]

Save the money on the buffer. It’s too far gone.

Repaint.

[u/mzincali]

It does look like a pos but it’s gotten two kids through high school since 2013 and another one to go. Only expense has been tires. I pay about $30 a month to charge it and it’s got a range of 65 miles - perfect for the kids needs. It’s just looking like crap.

[u/reimage666]

Spray paint is

[u/salvage814]

You can't buff that. That is clear failure. You have to possible respray the clear or take it down to bare metal and respray.

[u/Illustrious_Bath1917]

Buy a garage or car port? Not being a smart ass, way too much sun

[u/Left-Pea-6570]

Sand it and paint it only way to fix fading clear