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15 year old sticker removed - how to restore paint

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by OptimumPrius, Nov 20, 2020.

  1. OptimumPrius

    OptimumPrius Junior Member

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    I bought my 2005 Gen 2 from the city at auction. Under the 15 year old stickers, the white paint is shiny and perfect. So there are shiny number shapes on the paint.

    I’ve tried cutting compound on the surrounding dull paint to blend it all in to no avail.

    do I just need to strip the top coat where the stickers were?

    any advice appreciated
     

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    #1 OptimumPrius, Nov 20, 2020
  2. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    On a 15 year old car? Ignore it.
     
    #2 pasadena_commut, Nov 20, 2020
    edthefox5 likes this.
  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    #3 TMR-JWAP, Nov 20, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
  4. OptimumPrius

    OptimumPrius Junior Member

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    Ha! I like that. There's numbers all over the body though :(
     
    #4 OptimumPrius, Nov 20, 2020
  5. OptimumPrius

    OptimumPrius Junior Member

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    Maybe I watch too many restoration shows where they take valuable relics and make them shiny. I just bought into the shiny dream.
     
    #5 OptimumPrius, Nov 20, 2020
  6. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    #6 AzusaPrius, Nov 20, 2020
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    The problem is not residue but areas of the paint which are faded or oxidized differently.
    If he lets it sit out in the Texas sun for another 15 years, Mother Nature will probably solve it for him. :ROFLMAO:

    Pretty sure that there is nothing easy you can do to improve the appearance, short of a complete paint job.
    Check with a body shop or two.
     
    #7 sam spade 2, Nov 21, 2020
  8. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Lightly wet sand the shiny spots with 1500 grit sand paper then use rubbing compound on the whole area.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #8 mr_guy_mann, Nov 21, 2020
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Clay bar the shite out of it,
     
    #9 edthefox5, Nov 21, 2020
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    It is nice the people are trying to help BUT............
    After 15 years, it is very likely that the paint has faded unevenly because of the stickers.
    That means that the base actually is a slightly different color where it was not exposed to the elements.
    If that is the case.....there is NOTHING easy you can do to "fix" it......including sanding, finishing compound or clay bars.
     
    #10 sam spade 2, Nov 21, 2020
  11. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Repainting or vinyl wrap are the only true solutions.
     
    #11 orenji, Nov 21, 2020
  12. PriusHead05

    PriusHead05 Member

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    Use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. That's the only compound that worked on my heavily oxidized white 2005. Just make sure you use a cotton/terry towel. If you use a microfiber towel, it will leave a residue.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #12 PriusHead05, Nov 22, 2020
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