how to fix sun damage on car

[JeremiahLee]

The best way to fix sun damage on your car depends entirely on the severity. For light UV damage like faded paint and minor oxidation, a thorough paint correction process—involving claying, compounding, and polishing—can often restore the finish. However, if the clear coat is peeling or the paint has severe cracking (crazing), a complete repaint of the affected panel is usually the only permanent solution. For damaged interior plastics and vinyl, specialized interior restoration products can temporarily rejuvenate them, but cracked dashboards may require replacement.

Sun damage manifests in stages. The first sign is often oxidized paint, which looks dull and chalky. This is just the clear coat degrading. Using a clay bar to remove embedded contaminants, followed by a cutting compound to level the oxidized layer, and finally a polish to restore gloss can work wonders. For deeper scratches or clear coat failure where the paint appears whitish and is peeling, sanding and repainting are necessary. Ignoring this will lead to rust.

Interior surfaces take the brunt of the heat. A faded dashboard can be treated with a UV-protectant dressing, but it’s a temporary fix. For cracked vinyl, there are repair kits that fill the cracks, but the result is rarely seamless. Prevention is always cheaper than the cure. Consistent use of a high-quality carnauba wax or ceramic coating and a sunshield can prevent most of these issues from occurring in the first place.

Severity of Damage	Visible Signs	Recommended Fix	Estimated Cost (Parts/Labor)	Professional vs. DIY
Light Oxidation	Dull, chalky paint	Paint correction (compound & polish)	$150 - $400	DIYable with skill
Moderate Swirls/Fading	Visible fine scratches	Machine polishing & sealant	$300 - $600	Best left to pros
Severe Clear Coat Failure	Peeling, whitish patches	Sand & repaint panel	$500 - $1,500+	Professional only
Faded Plastic Trim	Grayish, faded appearance	UV-protectant dressing	$20 - $50	Easy DIY
Cracked Dashboard	Physical cracks in vinyl	Dashboard repair kit or replacement	$100 (kit) / $1,000+ (replace)	DIY kit / Pro replacement

[SanElias]

If the paint just looks a little hazy, you can probably handle it yourself over a weekend. Grab a good cleaner wax or a mild polishing compound. Wash the car thoroughly, then work the product in small sections using a dual-action polisher—or a lot of elbow grease with a microfiber pad. The goal is to remove that dead, oxidized top layer. Follow up with a solid paste wax to protect your hard work. It’s satisfying to see the color come back to life.

[DiCarmen]

Once that clear coat starts to flake off, it’s a whole different ballgame. No amount of rubbing or magic potion will stick it back on. At that point, you're looking at a body shop visit for a repaint. The key is to catch it early. If you see a whitish, cloudy look that doesn't buff out, the clock is ticking. A professional detailer can assess if it's salvageable with a heavy cut and polish, but if the damage is through the clear, it's a wrap for that panel's original paint.