Picked up a Z. is the paint damaged or just need to be buffed?

[bluejet]

Picked it up for $2200. 140,000 miles. Runs good. The top (hood and rear) are lighter than the rest of the car. Person I bought it from says it hasn't been cleaned in forever. I have to remove the bumper as It doesn't match, so I have to figure out a way to remove it.

When I touch the hood and rear, it feels that is is rough to the surface while the rest of the car is smooth. Clear coat failure, perhaps?

[nissanfreak12]

Give it a good buff and wax, see what happens. But two things either happened;

1.Paint is just severley faded from being 20+ years old.

2.Front bumper has been repaired and painted to match, at the time. The body just faded faster than the bumper.

So, buff it up, whats the worst that could happen. Paint may past the point of repair, just take your time and small spots till you see what it does.

[DCaff300ZX]

Welcome!
I agree that a wash and claybar and finish restorer pass should show you whether or not the paint will come back, as you mentioned if the clearcoat has crystalized and is crumbling off then you may be past saving that layer at least.

[NolimitZ32]

She looks salvagable, I recently spent a couple days with the buffer, and a whole set of compound to bring mine back, as long as the clear isn't peeling or gone you should be able to bring her back to life. GL, pm me if you need any pointers.