Removing "cloudiness" from paintwork

Duke O Smiley

Hi folks, detailing is not my forte at all so I'm asking here for help.

My parents have a car that has been in storage for a while but want to get it on the road for the Summer. The paintwork is is a bit flat though, presumably from the elements and I think best described as cloudy. I'll post a few pics but I want to know what/if/how I can bring the paintwork back to its former glory

Thanks

edburg

Paint oxidation at a guess, a good polish with suitable pad and D/A polish machine, then seal with a wax or sealant to protect its new looks.

Curran

Without knowing all the details, I would guess that yes, a polish will bring back the shine, depth, gloss, etc.

Is it a classic? If its older, it might be single stage paint, so you will get colour transfer to the applicator / pad.
Do you know the history of how the paintwork was cared for previously - has it been machine polished in the past, if so, paint thickness would be a concern if going to compound it using a machine.

A few pictures would help!

Duke O Smiley

It's a 1989 Ford Escort Xr3i - its been untouched outdoors for a year. Wouldn't have ever been machine polished but regularly t-cutted by hand. Here are a few photos, the first I would say is the worst of it and the last one I hope you can see - its all very dull and like that in a good few areas of the paint

Appreciate the help

Chimaera

I wonder if you're better off getting a respray on that? Is the car good enough otherwise to justify putting money into a respray?

Curran

At a guess, was the car covered and in the first picture the area is showing where a rope would have been placed to tie it down?

I reckon with a bit of TLC with a machine polisher and it will do wonders!