Restoring my Corsa

RichyRich

Hi all

I have an 11-ish year old Corsa and, as these things do, it has lost its shine over its years (only one of which has been in my custody!)

Its red paintwork is decidedly lacklustre; it is seriously faded in parts and only actually looks shiny when it's been raining! The supposedly black bumper is actually showing white in places.

Basically, I want my car to look beautiful again!

I have T/Cutted and Back-to-Blacked to my hearts content but it still looks decidedly rubbish. I think the paintwork's completely shot and the bumper looks worse than when I bought it.

I doubt there's much I can do with the paintwork short of a respray, and the value of the car simply doesn't justify that. But the bumpers: it seems like it's the actual black veneer that's fcuked, as I can actually see the white underneath, so maybe I could get it looking great by spraying it black? Any thoughts?

If I did go down that path, what could I mask off the rest of the car with, so I could avoid doing any more damage to the rest of the car? What would be the pro's and cons? Would this wear off eventually? Then would it look even worse?

People with experience of restoring cars, your opinions will be valued.

Cheers
Rich

maniac886

RichyRich wrote: »

Hi all

I have an 11-ish year old Corsa and, as these things do, it has lost its shine over its years (only one of which has been in my custody!)

Its red paintwork is decidedly lacklustre; it is seriously faded in parts and only actually looks shiny when it's been raining! The supposedly black bumper is actually showing white in places.

Basically, I want my car to look beautiful again!

I have T/Cutted and Back-to-Blacked to my hearts content but it still looks decidedly rubbish. I think the paintwork's completely shot and the bumper looks worse than when I bought it.

I doubt there's much I can do with the paintwork short of a respray, and the value of the car simply doesn't justify that. But the bumpers: it seems like it's the actual black veneer that's fcuked, as I can actually see the white underneath, so maybe I could get it looking great by spraying it black? Any thoughts?

If I did go down that path, what could I mask off the rest of the car with, so I could avoid doing any more damage to the rest of the car? What would be the pro's and cons? Would this wear off eventually? Then would it look even worse?

People with experience of restoring cars, your opinions will be valued.

Cheers
Rich

I would try some Bilt Hamber Auto Balm. Have a read here.

It may also be a good idea to join detailing world, post up a few pics of your car and people on there will have a better idea of what you need to do to improve your paintwork.

jeannieblue

Get a bodyshop to mop it for you. Average cost £70-£100.

anewman

I have seen plenty of corsa's with very grey bumpers. Must be the plastic they used. I think you need to heat the plastic bumpers up hot with a hair dryer and put something on while hot. Maybe linseed oil.

If T-cut hasn't brought a shine up I cannot think what will. I wonder if it's meant to have a lacquer finish which has peeled off? Have you tried some wax on your t-cutted paint? You have to be very careful with T-cut as it will go through paint as I have found out.

For the actual car metal, for DIY painting you could use coach enamel paint which is brushed on. It won't come out perfect or pass any competitions, but it will be nice and shiny.

For the bumpers, if nothing else seems to work, you would need some sort of plastic primer and lots and lots of effort in preparing the surface to paint it. Ultimate way would be to take it off. The amount of effort it will take painting it properly, removing it won't be much extra hassle in comparison. Again a professional paint job would probably be the best approach.

anewman

maniac886 wrote: »

I would try some Bilt Hamber Auto Balm. Have a read here.

Wow those pics look great. Just to think they said they had tried t-cut and from that to the end result. I'm amazed.

maniac886

anewman wrote: »

Wow those pics look great. Just to think they said they had tried t-cut and from that to the end result. I'm amazed.

Its good stuff.....comes highly recommended on DW...there was a thread on there were someone restored a red micra(90% of paintwork had dulled and was pink) and used the autobalm and car was back to its red colour)

RichyRich

Right,

If those Auto Balm pictures are genuine I'll be doing the car this weekend!

Where would I get it? Halfords? I presume there are cheaper places about; I'll have a look in town while I'm about.

Cheers
Rich

goldspanners

i found that on a van i had when the bumper started to go off colour i was able to scratch the white bits off,even using a wire brush lightly helped,maybe a suede brush would be better,then using a vinyl restorer or silicone spray regularly helped keep them the right colour.
if you go for the brush option try it in a small area first though in case it damages the plastic,worked well on a nissan cargos bumpers.

maniac886

RichyRich wrote: »

Right,

If those Auto Balm pictures are genuine I'll be doing the car this weekend!

Where would I get it? Halfords? I presume there are cheaper places about; I'll have a look in town while I'm about.

Cheers
Rich

Hi its a specialist detailing product and can only be bought from certain websites.

Its here.

Also have a read of these instructions here.

kitchpoo

The corsa wheelarches do fade due to a low grade of plastic, and are not too expensive or difficult to change to new ones, which is probably the best option. Vauxhall Reds are notorious for oxidising, and turning the car pink - try the Auto Balm, prep well and take your time, pick a day when it is not hot or sunny (feel the paintwork, it should be cool to the touch) before you apply.

RichyRich

I got the Auto Clay through with the Auto Balm to follow, I've read the instructions for the clay and I'm confused. It says wash the car (I can do that much!) then use the clay on it (I'm still with it thus far). It then says wax immediately. Does this mean with Autobalm? Because Autobalm isn't a wax is it? Or do I need to wash it, then clay it, then wax it, then autobalm it?

Any help much appreciated

Cheers