Original Black Paint

[fricker66]

My original black paint from 89 has seen better days. Am looking to see if anyone has any suggestions or advice on taking care of the paint at this point. It has always been really crappy paint and required tons of polishing/waxing to keep it black. Even when brand new, this car had a tendency to turn gray. Local dealer refused to see the problem and believed it was from over polishing the paint... It's now gotten to the point of being impossible to keep clean.

While cleaning it up today, I noticed where the recent road grime has left gray spots on the body. Washing didn't do any good so it looks like only a wax will clean it up. The hand wash removed the "outer" layer of dirt but there is what appears to be a stain in the paint. Is this from a lack of clearcoat? I don't currently have any peeling problems or cracking of the paint. Just the issue of my black paint constantly turning grayish.

Is there any product that might help with this problem? I'm thinking that only a repaint will help but doubt that happens in the near future......

<small>[ December 21, 2003, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: fricker66 ]</small>

 

[JIMSHO]

whtat i whould do is take it to a good detail shop. someone who knows what they are doing could make it look almost like new. they will also explain how to keep it looking good. this may cost $150-200 bucks but it is cheaper than a paint job.

 

[JaySHOguy]

Sadly, you are probably seeing the last days of the factory finish. If a good polish/wax job isn't helping, that is most likely because there isn't much paint left to polish .

Save your pennies, and find a good shop to repaint the car in a Basecoat/Clearcoat paint system. I wish I had the money for a BC/CC paint when I refinished my '89 in the beginning of the year. Keeping the single stage Black nice and shiny sucks.

 

[Mels]

YUP.