My car has SEVERE sun fad on the hood, there is no shine, how do I make it sparkle again? I don't have the cash to paint it right now. I will soon though. In the mean time, what do I use to make it shiny? I remember seeing that commercial with the junkyard car getting the shine restored, I think that was BS, but it's worth a try.

You guys know of anything?

Edit: Sorry :( It's an 88 325ic. I don't know what kind of paint it is, but it's the black one that's SUPER SUPER shiny and glossy when in good condition.

Do you have any information about the car? Please post more information when you ask questions...that just seems really annoying.

Clearcoated paint? I used some finesse it II and it came out great when I worked on a 528 that wasn't clearcoated and the shine was pretty awesome. That was with a Porter Cable and about 10 hours:P

Peter Hsu

Yep, need to know color, year, is it clearcoated. Is it just oxidation (think white chalky stains) or has the paint cracked underneith? IF it's clearcoated, is it flaking, etc. Pics are worth a thousand words so....

If it's just oxidation, 3M rubbing compound with a cutting pad on a PC is probally the safest fast way to get rid of it. Of course without knowing just what kind of shape the paint is under it that's just a guess. Your other option would be to use AIO with a cutting pad and PC and really working the paint - probally somewhere on the order of 4-6 hours buffing it out. Lots of cleaning of the equipment during that time, but AIO properly worked in will take oxidation off, it just takes a cutting pad.

If you're thinking of doing this with a cheap buffer or by hand, forget it. You're going to have to use either a PC or a rotary (and if you don't know what you're doing with a rotary, you will be buying yourself a paint job).

i used to sell this stuff called ezwax. it works mircles!! www.premiumezwax.com

Don't bother buying Nu Finish, Turtle Wax, GS27, 2001 or any other low level detailing products that promise the world all in one bottle.

90% of the shine comes from prep work. You need to first clean your car real well. A claybar is great if you never clayed your car before. Then you need to use either a compound, polish, swirl remover, or a galze. Since this is for a older car and it sounds that you need something stronger, I'd would use a compound or polish with a PC.

go here, a world of knowledge in detailing here
http://www.autopia.org/
or here
http://www.properautocare.com