I recently acquired an 87 Fiero GT, it is a maroon metallic color. The paint itself looks to be in good shape, with little to no chips or cracks and none of it is missing. The problem is that it isn't shiny, it looks "dull" or almost like a flat paint instead of a gloss paint. I believe it's the original paint, and I imagine it's just gotten this way over time being exposed to the elements. I have been doing some reading at autopia.org and believe the paint may just need a good polishing. I have some 3M rubbing compound, Meguiars machine glaze, and Meguiars NXT paste wax. We used the machine glaze on my roommate's Fox body and it rejuvenated a fender that looked pretty much the same way that my entire paintjob looks. I bought the rubbing compound because I was concerned that the glaze wouldn't be enough. But now, after seeing good results from the glaze I am afraid to use the rubbing compound, thinking it would be too much. Any advice or recommendations on which to use? My first thought is try the glaze and see if it works, but that's a lot of extra work if it turns out to be unsatisfactory.

On a related note, even doing one fender on my roomie's car was an hour long job, I have been considering a DA buffer to use on the Fiero. Is the DA the one I want? Is it a good idea to use a electric buffer, or is it dangerously easy to ruin my paint?

 

it may just be oxidization, my brothers firebird looked like that, and i used an abrasive polishing compound on it and it took the faded look right off

 

do it by hand. take the time to make sure you dont burn it up.

 

buffing it is what you want to do. If you dont know how to do it I would no attempt it. You could make costly mistakes (burn the paint). Especially on the edges and corners. take it to a bodyshop, it will look so much better if they buff it.