How to clean up 20 year old paint.

[Vivek]

I used Turtle polishing compound but does not do anything. May be I am doing it wrong. I damp cloth and use it back and forth motion.
Also tried Turtle rubbing compound and that scratch up paint in my e46. Never want to use that.
Paint on my e30 is clean not oxidize.

People use this without realizing what it is, what it's used for, and what it does. It's honestly a harsher compound than I think most people should attempt to use and you can easily fuck up your paint in 15 seconds (but not irreversibly). Feel free to PM me if you still haven't fixed the paint on your e46 and I'll walk you through the process.

For your current car, I'd go with a clay bar, be careful and use a lot of lube, then just hand wax it with soft cloths. Locally, kragen (O'reilley's) sells these really, really soft white cloths that are great. However, the edges will mar your paint, so be careful of those. Buy a bunch and only use the centers. These will absolutely not work when cleaning up quick detailer when you're clay barring your car though, since they don't absorb at all. You'll need a drying microfiber for that. If you have minimal swirls and marring over the whole car I'd honestly not really bother it unless you're really determined and willing to do the whole thing well, because otherwise you can waste a lot of effort and it may not look any better (and could easily look worse).

[Threehz]

jaydeep, your car looks like it just drove off the lot. How many miles are on it?

I've been meaning to grab a clay bar, good advice on here.

[nickmcc92]

I've used clay bar with ok results. Turtle Wax polishing compound to remove scratches.
But best product to restore paint is Meguiars Ultimate Compound. Check out their videos on youtube. Removes oxidation simply.
I've also heard wet sandpaper. Not sure what grit.

[Brezzi]

as it has been said claybar claybar claybar

[e30construction]

i claybard my car and then wash and waxed..but it seems the wax doesnt hold for very long at all..i havent used a polish..would this help the wax stay on and hold its integrity for a while?? i use meguairs gold class paste wax

[jaydeep]

Yea, I used a rubbing compound on my car, then a polishing compound then a wax, with a drill buffer thing, defiantly evened everything out, but still didn't have that super nice shine from a clear coat. But then again my clear is almost gone.

I used Turtle polishing compound but does not do anything. May be I am doing it wrong. I damp cloth and use it back and forth motion.
Also tried Turtle rubbing compound and that scratch up paint in my e46. Never want to use that.
Paint on my e30 is clean not oxidize.

[Eljosh]

Yea, I used a rubbing compound on my car, then a polishing compound then a wax, with a drill buffer thing, defiantly evened everything out, but still didn't have that super nice shine from a clear coat. But then again my clear is almost gone.

[hashi]

I would just start with a light cutting compound in a small area see how you like the results then after polish and wax

[Dozyproductions]

Definitely clay bar. You most likely will pick up a lot of dirt off the surface if you haven't done it on the car before. Make sure you keep the surface and clay clean and lubricated. If your clear coat is oxidized then a polish will be in order.

[jaydeep]

I have 1992 325ic with 60k. Paint is in good condition for paint surface is not smooth. What should I use before wax? I was thinking clay bar.