Would it have faded if it was clearcoated ?

As has been said this is oxidation and if a clear coat had been added I doubt if this could happen .

I suspect that these mirrors have already been resprayed by a previous owner .

I,m in Maidstone if you need any help .

 

Try moving furniture in a house with a red carpet - windows & clearcoat aren't UV-resistant and red pigments fade to pink. You get furniture patches.

The mirrors are bevelled & in your face and ABS, so the effect is probably amplified. Same way PE bumpers always seem darker than the steely bits.

 

I cannot quote myself and have your quote when on my phone, at least I can't be bothered to do it the long way, so read up to my previous post.

 

Some clearcoats are tinted, and regardless you will be able to bring the paint back certainly on the bodywork of a red car (your mirrors may have been sprayed by someone else possibly?) - find a local detailer, they will let you know for sure. Good luck.

Oh I think 'tangoMan' is close to London, he is now know as xD on the forum, but I don't think he comes here very much these days, still it might be worth a PM to him?

 

Sorry guys , I remain unconvinced .

Lacquered paint will not oxidise .

Carpet is not lacquered . It can be uv protected .

Vauxhalls , up til 2007/8 where not lacquered ( except for bumpers / mirrors ) cos they where abs .

These mirrors have either had the lacquer removed or been repainted in cellulose .

Either way , if the paint is sound they can be polished .

 

I cant imagine why they would have been repainted. The car is entirely untouched from stock in every other way. It only has 37k on the clock and is mint. The only issues are a few road chip scratches and the fading on the mirrors. Oh and the calipers let it down by looking a bit tired and peeling

 

A quick test for lacquered or un lacquered paint finish is , get a clean cloth ( or tissue ) , moisten it with a bit of spit and rub the paint .

If ( in your case ) the cloth starts to turn red there is no lacquer .

If it turns slightly discoloured its lacquered and I stand corrected

 

Lacquered or not it can still oxidise.