Help with oxidation!

[tarnation]

I'm trying to fix up a '86 944 that used to be red. The main symptoms it's having are a dull look on the vertical panels and a lot of white spots some as large as nickels on horizontal panles. It looks as if water beaded up on the finish and left permanent marks. There is no cracking or peeling look to the paint.

I have an acquaintance who does touch-up paint work for several places including the local BMW dealer. He seems to be ok, maybe not the very best. He looked at the car and tried some type of medium/mild 3M rubbing compound and that patch looks ok. He told me he could do the car for me, or I could get some clearcoat safe rubbing compound and do it myself. On griots site the say not to use rubbing compounds at all! I am frozen in fear like a dear in headlights; do I let him do it? Or do it myself using rubbing compounds? Or something similar to griots polishes?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

[chuckr]

I suggest you give it go yourself.I have done this many times and it is not that difficult.First get 3M 1500 grit Rubbing Compound and a bag of cotton towels from Wal-Mart.The 1500 grit is important and it is a small gray bottle for about 6 or 7 dollars in the auto body repair section .Use a wet towel and a large amount of compound rub with pressure till you see red on the rag, that is the oxidation ! use a good polish, like the Griots Fine Hand Polish or 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, then a good wax like the Griots Best of Show or Blitz Wax.This will take 4 or 5 hours so be prepared, it is a very good workout !
Good Luck !

[toman]

If the oxidation is as bad as it sounds, you probably won't be able to fix it by hand. Pretty much the only solution is to use a high speed buffer, and you'd better have some idea what you're doing before jumping into it. I would reccomend finding a good detailer in your area and paying him to do it for you, because rubbing by hand isn't going to get you very far, and if you go at it yourself with a buffer there's a good chance you'll screw up. Good luck...