Revitalize a dull finish?

I personally would clay bar or and see if it becomes smooth. If it does, I'd try meguire's finishing polish. If that helps the shine but doesn't get all of the staining out step up to a cleaner wax. Then revert back to the polish to finish. Once done get a good ceramic kit and follow the instructions. I used Adam's Graphene on my last truck and the 10 year old paint looked as good as most people's new trucks.

If at any point in that process it looks worse, stop 🛑. Always test any new product in a small 2*2" spot that as least visible as possible.
 
I used a mothers clay bar and it worked super well, its a bit softer so it wont scratch you paint, used soapy water as a lubricant (or if your feeling lazy like me just re-foam the car with soap after you wash it) and then go to town
 
Agreed with what others said. However, have you waxed the car before? Looks like that might be all it needs. Without waxing at least every year, overtime the finish will be prone to building up water deposits and other road grime that dull it.
 
I haven't done anything other than washes. I just wasn't confident, fearing I'd do more damage than good. I think the previous owner polished it as there was some white residue along the edges.

If you look at my initial photo closely, you see those weird vertical streaks. Not even sure what that is.
 
Looks like it might be some water marks, though its hard to tell as its not like a clearly defined water spot or anything. I know fords have soft paint but judging how yours doesn't seem to have any clearcoat failure I say that you would be fine to try a fine cut polish and just be gentle and see where that takes you.

Edit: Grammar, meant to say you don't have any clearcoat failure
 
Last edited:
Yeah, clear coat failure manifests as an ugly oxidization/peeling on these cars that starts off with white spots/pitting in the clear, that slowly grows with an obvious lack of sheen/gloss over the areas where it has baked off completely.
 
@theterminator93
That sounds concerning. There's no peeling anywhere currently. I'd rather keep the dullness before I risk damaging what's left of the clearcoat.

Would it be safer to put something shiny on top of what's there now? Some sort of shine detailer?
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
I haven't done anything other than washes. I just wasn't confident, fearing I'd do more damage than good. I think the previous owner polished it as there was some white residue along the edges.

If you look at my initial photo closely, you see those weird vertical streaks. Not even sure what that is.
Click to expand...
Waxing a car can't damage the finish, it anything it does the opposite and protects it. No offence but with how well you maintain your car it's surprising to me that you haven't ever waxed it.
I've had best luck with synthetic waxes, the hard ones in a tin go on easiest. They last longer and won't stick to the trim like carnauba does.

The paint on your car looks good. It isn't in need of a professional cut and buff unless you want to go all out. Get to the parts store and get some wax and spend a few hours on it. It will take out some of the impurities in the paint, rain will bead off your car, bugs won't stick, and it will shine like new (y)
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
@theterminator93
That sounds concerning. There's no peeling anywhere currently. I'd rather keep the dullness before I risk damaging what's left of the clearcoat.

Would it be safer to put something shiny on top of what's there now? Some sort of shine detailer?
Click to expand...
Wax and polish provide some protection. Ceramic coating offers more, but the paint needs to be cleaned with polish before applying
 
Last edited:
I was an auto detailer in my college years. What's occurred since then is amazing. It's expensive, but get this to finish your job after wax and polish. My wife's Passport was done with this when it was new 5 years ago and the paint is nearly scratch free after using an automated car wash for the last 3 years

adamspolishes.com

Graphene Ceramic Coating™

This Product Cannot be Shipped via Air. Including Overnighted, 2-Day, Priority Mail, or International Methods. With the inclusion of Graphene, Adam’s UV Ceramic Coating has evolved! Our Graphene Ceramic Coating™ has been verified to have >10H Hardness. Compared to the original Ceramic Coating...
adamspolishes.com adamspolishes.com
 
1997ThunderbirdLXV6 said:
Tried a clay bar. Surface is smooth, but absolutely zero effect on those dull streaks.
Click to expand...
Then move to a cleaner wax. It's possible that Terminator was correct, and the clear is starting to oxidize. Even if so you should be able to make it last longer with the steps I have above. If you rub a small area really hard with the cleaner wax and it doesn't get better, you know it's permanent fading. I'd tell you to we sand it, but knowing Ford clear coat of the era, there may not be much good clear left.
 
This is what the clear will start to look like as it reaches the end of its life...

PXL_20250718_194840808.jpg

Which then progresses to this... :bawling:
PXL_20250718_194852283.jpg

As long as yours isn't doing this, it's likely to survive some polishing to shine it up again.
 
Hard to tell, but I think you're safe to move forward. I think you'll see some improvement.

If you hate yourself do this under a florescent light. The best paint looks like shit under good lighting. You can, however, get the best results under florescence
 
I am the absolute last person you should consult with for washing/waxing/detailing, but that looks more like hard water stains than failing clearcoat. Then again it is always hard to really represent finish sheen in pictures (at least for me). I would try with a cleaner wax and see how it comes out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Back
Top