Paint restoration options

[Destracted]

I've got stains, dull spots, cracks and chips. Is a buffer a bad idea? Can I seal the cracks somehow? Any opinions on how to get it cleaned up at all would be great.

 

[75roadster]

I'm no expert but I have encountered the things you're facing. I've had success repairing small chips by filling the chip with matching touch up paint so that the touchup paint is slightly higher than the surface of the car. Let it dry thoroughly then carefully work it down level using 1000 grit or finer sand paper and finish it with a fine compound such as Meguiar's Ultimate Compound followed by wax. For stains and other paint imperfections I've used Meguiar's Mirror Glaze 1 Medium-Cut Cleaner followed by Mequiar's Mirror Glaze 9 Swirl Remover. Being a novice I avoided using more aggressive compounds. I used a Simonize electric orbital buffer (didn't trust myself with a pro buffer as I was afraid of burning the paint) but for small areas I think it could be done by hand. Either way follow the product instructions, be careful and go slow or you could cut through the paint. Your success with stains will largely depend on how deep it has penetrated. For cracks I fill them with epoxy to slightly below the surface of the car and then refinish in the same way as a chip. Once again, I'm no expert but this is what I've done with reasonable success. I'm sure there are many others with more experience than I. Good luck and be patient, this will take time.

 

[Destracted]

Thanks for the tips. I actually am a commercial painter by trade with some automotive experience but nothing beats direct experience.
I bought a 7" buffer and 3 stage pads at well as a clay brick. After 6 hours of elbow grease I turned the paint from a 4.5 to an 8/10. I am blown away at the improvement. 95% of the staining us gone, all of the dull spots disappeared and the color pops now.

 

[XFIRE82]

yup, it is amazing what the buffer can do , nice job.

 

[75roadster]

I’m glad to hear things worked well. Good work and congratulations on a fine result.

 

[ddgermann]

Ya... good job. It gleams

 

[Luke 1967]

That's quite the improvement with the buffer, good job. Years ago, I had heard some guys use to apply coloured wax to 'mask' those hairline/spider cracks like at the base of your antenna. I have no idea how successful that was, maybe someone else has had some experience with that and can advise.