Cheap fix for the faded body side molding

[Manhattan]

The stripe in the middle that fades isn't a sticker - it's paint over the dark gray paint. Well, at least on a 2006. So, figuring I couldn't make it worse, I got out some wet/dry sand paper, a spray bottle of water, tape, and a rolling stool.

This is how faded that stripe has become:

I taped off the stripe, and started sanding with 1500... gently... very very gently. It's sorta tedious because you're taking off the light
gray paint without getting into the dark gray paint. Go slowly.

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After the 1500, I lightly sanded with 2000 - but not much at all. Next up was a cutting compound, then a polishing compound.
All in, that back door took 25 min. Quick math says this will be a 2.5-3 hr job.

 

[Super77]

Mine looks that way too, but I’m just gonna apply some matte silver auto wrap vinyl.