Faded/Oily looking paint. Need help.

01WJLimited

OTC Home Detailer
A friend of mine drives a 1994 Camry. I did a good detail on the interior a few weeks ago, because I don't think it was cleaned since it was new. I told her I'd do the outside at a later date, because it was getting dark and I had just barely finished the interior.

ANYWAY - I examined the paint, to see what kind of job I had ahead of me. The paint is extremely faded, and has this oily-looking residue on it. I doubt it has ever been waxed, since I doubt it was ever washed. I don't have a PC or any sort of buffer available, since my dad thinks I'll burn the paint off. Here is the plan of action thus far:

-Wash with Dawn Dish soap, to remove any wax or grease
-Clay bar
-Polish/Wax.

Any other suggestions, minus a buff job? The car has never even seen a garage, let alone stayed in one. Most of it's time was spent on a concrete driveway, baking the in the sun, rotting in the snow and salt. Is there even a chance without a polisher?
 
If I were to attack a vehicle like you have described I would hit it with a chemical polish such as KAIO or ProPolish. Then see how it looks after I had done a small section of the vehicle. You could hit it with a swirl remover but if it is to be applied by hand it will/would take a long time. I would try the chemical cleaner first.

My arms are not willing anymore to do mechanical swirl removal with power by arnstrong.
 
Swirls I can deal with. It's just the Matte looking paint. There are some shiny spots, but the roof, hood, and decklid are goners. I'll see what I can do.
 
Okay, upon further inspection, something else has been thrown into the mix. Her friends decided to write her a little message on the hood with Chap-Stick, any more suggestions?
 
Chap stick is basically just wax. A pre-wax cleaner will likely get rid of it.
As you're going to polish the paint anyway, there shouldn't be any problem.

Are you going to use OTC stuff? Do you have anything? Are you going to look to buy?
 
I wouldn't suggest dish soap but in the case it will cut the grease for sure....I would add clay after that to get the paint real clean...Then a chemical polish as suggested will remove the oxidation & some swirls....I'd go straight to wax after that and call it a job!
 
Big Leegr said:
Chap stick is basically just wax. A pre-wax cleaner will likely get rid of it.
As you're going to polish the paint anyway, there shouldn't be any problem.

Are you going to use OTC stuff? Do you have anything? Are you going to look to buy?


All OTC. I don't have time and don't want to pay shipping for detailing products. It's easier for me to just go to Pep Boys or Advance Auto. That's just me though. I have everything but the clay kit.

glen22 - I know it man, I know it. I refuse to use my fathers buffer, because it's a grinder with some buffing wheels, which means there is a big bolt in the middle, and I can't risk getting lazy for one second (I'd have to keep it at an angle), and ruining the whole paintjob. I plan on taking all day on it. I'm waiting until it's warmer, but it's going to be done before it gets hot out.
 
Hard to say without seeing a picture, but I wonder if most of the clearcoat is actually gone, and the "oily" spots are where there is actualy some clearcoat left.
 
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