How do you bring old paint back to life.

[BMWCCA1]

What color? Non-metallic black, white, or red? Or clear-coat metallic? It makes a difference. You're probably fighting mold and mildew. You might put a teaspoon of bleach in your wash water along with either good automobile soap or dishwashing liquid with some cooking oil blended in. Lots of other stuff you could use on the finish in general but it's easy to start with Meguiars from the auto-parts store. A polish or glaze and then a good wax over. I use zymöl and AutoSport (http://www.autosportcatalog.com) products.

[vping]

My 535I has been sitting for 5 years and was covered in a moss like green stuff. I've washed it off but the paint is dry looking and there is some eveidence of the moss still there. I can't really scrub it out so what is the best attack on it? I should specify - what can I do out in the garge about it? What waxes or machines should I use. Should I just splurge and take it to a detail shop? How much could it be? The body it not perfect but hey, I'd have a few rock chips in me after 18 years too.

[BMWCCA1]

It's red but not sure of it's name. Not metallic and not clear coat.You're going to need a lot of elbow-grease, some mild pre-wax cleaner, and maybe a clay bar to clean up all the oxidized red paint. Don't be surprised if your mirror housings, bumpers, and other plastic parts are sort of purple compared to the body color. That's the beauty of non-clearcoat red paint exposed to the sun. If yours looks like a lip-stick red, it's probably Brilliant Red color code #308. Look for the tag on the strut tower under the hood.

[vping]

It's red but not sure of it's name. Not metallic and not clear coat.

[rcbrown23]

einszett baby!!

http://www.1z-usa.com/

before:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/rcbrown23/DSC02758.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/rcbrown23/DSC02757.jpg

DURING:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/rcbrown23/DSC02811.jpg

[rcbrown23]

and AFTER:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/rcbrown23/DSC02818.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/rcbrown23/DSC_0523.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/rcbrown23/DSC_0524.jpg

[healtoeit]

and maybe a clay bar to clean up all the oxidized red paint.
Silly question but...
Where can I get a clay bar?

[cant_hit_bombz]

My wal mart actually carries some Mothers products, i picked up a clay bar kit for a few bux less than autozone

[healtoeit]

My wal mart actually carries some Mothers products, i picked up a clay bar kit for a few bux less than autozone
tankx a bunch!

[vping]

Yeah that's the color mine is too and looks faded like that as well.

[M20Turbo]

RC BROWN, What do you have on the grill? Are they black tie raps????