I'm going to hit the '89 Formula with a clay compound and the buffer this weekend (under the watchful eye of my pro-buffer buddy). My paint is just crazy faded but other than that the body looks good real good. Not even any door dings. I hope it works, who has experience with resurrecting their car with a buffer?

 

If your car is org paint just use a foam pad and some swirlmark remover.
Go slow, factory paint is thin.

 

I agree with TTOP350 for the most part. Unless you know the car has been repainted factory finishes are very thin, and u cant really get into buffing hard or you'll roll the clear and pull color.
Suggestion tho, wash the car thoroughly with dawn or equivalent dish soap before the clay bar process to strip any dirt, grease or other contamanent. You always want to keep the claybar clean as possible and knead it often as every couple square foot or less depending on how dirty it gets.
Also, as stated try the polish first, wipe it off and check, hopefully it will be enough, if not buff, but very lightly and slower than normal, this will keep the heat down and hopefully prevent burn.
Hope this helps!

 

Yes, it really helps A LOT. Thank you very much. Been reading up on it and my buddy who details cars on the side is going to be with me to guide me along. I'm pretty sure its the original paint. There is no over spray anywhere at all and I inspected it pretty close. Bought it from the 1st owner, this little old man, I doubt he repainted it. But what makes me wonder is there are no FORMULA or Bird decals on it. He claims he didn't like them and took them off. I'm going to tackle it early morning on Sunday. My old marker lights are all cracked, I'm replacing those on Saturday. I really hope this works. Tint the Windows and smoke the lights a little after this and I can dive into refurbishing the interior. Of course every seat cushion has 1 little tear! Thank you, Gents.

 

No prob ! Glad we could help, hope it all goes well for u!

 

ALL DONE DETAILING! Thanks guys, the advice on this website is solid! Took me all day but she looks frig'n new and like something the Terminator would drive!

 

 

Lookz pretty nice man, good work! ;-)
Definately not the funnest thing to do, but well worth it in the end!

 

Looks great. Just a tip on taking pics, turn the wheels to the left if your taking pix from the pass side front and to the right if your taking them from the DR side front...

 

Paintphreak - thanks dude, it was the first time I held a buffer...clockwise circles...nice and easy...just like my ex-girlfriend told me.

TTOP350 - Once again you can try your hardest to make a mechanic or a photographer out of me and I'm just a dumb Marine...I can't change it!

But thanks guys, I'm making progress.

 

Didn't think that was possible!!!
Thanx for your service, no matter what you do, where you've been or are going. Semper Fi carry on

 

TTOP350 - Semper Fi, Brother.