Auto body repair & detailing: Rubbing compounds, conventional paint, professional detail

Question
Hi,

I have a 2000 white Honda Accord and the paint is getting dull and needs rubbed out and waxed. I have been using Liquid Glass pre-cleaner, which is good stuff, but I think I need to go a little deeper.

What would you recommend for "safely" rubbing this car out effectively without damaging the clear coat? I won't be using an electric buffer.

Do you still recommend collinite wax?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi,

I don't think this car has a clearcoat finish. Best way to answer this question is to take a dark colored rag and rub the surface with a color polish other than white. If you see white, it's not clearcoat.

If it does have clearcoat and the paint is getting dull, the clearcoat may be going bad. Trying to clean it would be futile. It would need to be repainted.

If this is conventional paint, no clearcoat, rubbing it out by hand is a major undertaking and will leave you with sore hands, wrists and arms. The other problem that has to be addressed, is there enough paint left on the surface to rub out and return it to a glossy finish. This requires a trip to a local "Professional" detail or body shop for an expert opinion.

I love collinite was. the absolute best on the market.