I'm picking up an '89 Civic for my sister that has original, very faded and dead white paint on it and a number of knicks and scratches. It came from an auction and looks to be used and abused.

I am cleaning the the car for her doing the usual maintenance service and will have to try to rub out some general scrapes and generally make it look better than it does. Any suggestions on trying to help the paint? It isn't to the chalky white point yet but it is certainly really flat looking. We have a new power buffer (never used), some rubbing compound, and I have used clay bars in the past. I have an assortment of waxes and several brands of this and that multi-stage cleaners, waxes., etc. Any help would be appreciated. I'm not too worried because the car was very cheap and about anything will look better than it does now.


[Modified by CRX Lee, 2:55 AM 3/20/2003]

 

It depends. If you run your knuckles across the paint, and it feels like sandpaper, then use the claybar. If it just feels "dry" I would use the buffer.

 

My Milano red is mostly pink in some places, what would work best for me?