I have used Wesleys white wall cleaner for years. Works great! I have also used dish washing detergent with good success. You will be amazed at the crud that will come off. Maybe take the wheels off too.

We regards to armorall, I would avoid using it anywhere on your ride. When tires spin, the silicone flys all over. In fact the stuff might even get absorbed by the fiberglass in the wheel well area and create all kinds of long term problems should you ever have to paint or touch up. Getting that stuff off completely is almost impossible once imbedded in the fiberglass.

I recommend the spray foam that dries to the touch to make the tires black.

Have fun!

 

Bill

BLennox38757.769849537

[QUOTE=KeBo]I spent about 10 hours this weekend sprucing up the 81.  My typical spring cleaning for all my cars goes like this for the exterior..  Wash/Clay/Wash/Wax.....    The guy at the shop recommended to use the Meguires 3 stage cleaner/polish/wax.   I thought my car looked good before.  HOLY SMOKE!  The paint looks like its dripping wet!  I could not believe the difference and most important, went on and off with no elbow grease.  Terrific ROI on this product.  All 3 stages took me about 90 - 120 minutes.  It was a 50 degree day and overcast.  BTW, the car is beige.  Just mentioning because I've used products that worked better on different colors...  Regards!  Kevin.. [/QUOTE]

Post pics! I cannot wait to try it on my White 70. Sounds like it might be great for light colors.

 

Bill

Well !!
I just got a call from the organizer of the Autorama...."Sorry, dude, we had to give ya'll's spot to someone else"! Said the "National guys" were pitchin a fit about it, so they had to give up our club area/slots. Gee....thanx for the ADVANCE NOTICE!!! (We're 'posed to be there in the morning!!!)
Anyway...I spent a few nights last week, and Sunday, cleaning/polishing/waxing the '74 for this show. Used the 3 step Mequires stuff. Don't know exactly what is on my car, but it ain't tree sap, like I thought. It just will not come off completely. I'm gonna have to color-sand it, and buff it again, I guess. What's weird is, you cannot see anything on the paint at all, but it feels like sandpaper when I rub it with my hand. I didn't see any difference in the shine/luster of the paint, and I really thought I would. Maybe it's just not as bad as I think it is? I mean, really...the car has not been washed/waxed in SIX years!! It does feel a little slicker, tho, so I guess that's good.
I'm so bummed....someone please hug me.

Adam, sounds like you haved some sanding grit under the paint.  On my 75 when they painted it, they didn't clean it the way it was supposed to be cleaned & what you discribe is just what mine felt like, it was behind the rear window.  I made them repaint the whole car.  I'm getting ready now to have my 68 stripped with baking soda, won't hurt the fiber glass at all, & helps take out any imputities in the bare glass.

Bob

Hey, Bob. No, it's not that. This is something that has settled on top of the clearcoat. It hasn't always been there(since it was last painted). I'm not sure if it's fall-out from smog, or something I got from following behind a chemical truck! Whatever it is, it will come off, one way or another!

      TRY USING A CLAY BAR FIRST BEFORE USING HARSH CHEMICALS.

                                     REID '72 T-TOP

Adam, sure glad it's not under the paint.  Hope the color sanding works good.

Bob

I agree with Reid. I'd try the clay bar first.

I agree, try a clay bar  it removes all kinds of stuff left on your car after washing it. you will have to turn over the clay bar many times  reworking the grit into it  by what you are describing.  There is a video describing it's use in this forum titled Clay Bar.    Aegisfang38770.7056597222

Adam,

PLEASE don't color sand the clear coat!!!! Maybe a little Finess-it, but color sand will go through it. (voice of experience)

Dave