Can UV Light Speed Up Fading of Car Paint?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of using UV light to accelerate the fading of newly applied car paint to match the existing paint on a vehicle. A participant inquired about using a 400w black light to achieve this effect, questioning its effectiveness compared to natural sunlight. Experts confirmed that while it is possible to force-fade paint, the duration required for noticeable results is uncertain. They recommended blending techniques, such as applying a gradient of new paint over the old, to achieve a seamless transition.

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  • Understanding of automotive paint types and fading processes
  • Knowledge of UV light and its effects on paint
  • Familiarity with paint blending techniques
  • Basic knowledge of car repair and refinishing
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  • Research the effects of UV light on automotive paint aging
  • Learn about paint blending techniques for seamless color matching
  • Investigate the specifications and effectiveness of different UV light sources
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Automotive painters, car enthusiasts, and anyone involved in vehicle restoration or repair looking to understand paint fading and matching techniques.

icor1031
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I recently repaired some damage on my car, which isn't quite done - I still have to scrape the runs.

However, the paint is a significantly different shade from the rest of the car. I asked to have the codes matched, so I assume it's because of fading.



Is it possible to mask off the old paint on my car, and put a UV light on the new paint to force it to fade quickly?

And roughly how much power would I need to get anywhere? I found a 400w black light on ebay, but I have no idea how that compares to the UV the sun hits my car with.



Thanks!

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You can force-fade the paint - I have no way to know how long it would take though.
You also get fading from microscratches in the surface and heating and just plain degeneration due to age.
It is more usual to match panels by adding a gradient of the new paint over the old one so the transition is not discernible to the eye. In this case, that would be the door. Ask the car paint guys.
 

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