[deadzone1003]

I have an '89 Toyota Camry DX. The car has been garaged most of its life. The paint is in great shape, no oxidation, but when you
run your hand on the surface after a washing, it feels a little rough. My mechanic told me to use polishing compound to smooth out the rough surface and then wax the car. However, when I look up the Internet, all I get is don't use polishing compound on clearcoat. What is your opinion?

 

[knuckleduster]

3M nakes some stuff that is clearcoat safe, i cant ramember what the name of it is but walmart has it. it is in a black plastic teardrop shaped bottle with 3M on it and it is a beige liquid.

 

[cam2Xrunner]

What you need is the mothers or meguiars claybar kit. First wash the car with ultra dawn. Then using a lubricant spray-soapy water, rub the claybar back and forth on the paint. After about asq ft or so knead the claybar to get a fresh piece of clay. After doing the whole car wash it again with ultra dawn. Dry it completely with a chamois or other drying towel. I like to use microfiber cloths when I dry, but I work at a dealership so I can wash it with the spot free rinse

 

[Toysrme]

Clay your car before you polish it... I suggest doing some reading at autopia.org.
Some quick links in the ORDER you should do them:
1) Basic washing & drying

2) Claying your car to remove crap stuck in the paint (what you're reffering too)
3) wash your car AFTER claying again!
4) Polishing your paint
5) Waxing your car

At any rate, you need to clay and re-wash before you polish, and don't worry about polishing your clearcoat... Just be sure it's a good polish.

 

[MCTOY]

Def. use the claybar! You can actually hear and feel the surface getting clean as you rub it. After the clay bar, a good polishing followed by waxing is a must! You will see and feel the difference over just a wash and wax job.
Oh yeah, the spray wax that comes with the Mother's kit smells yummy!!!
MCTOY

 

[Toysrme]

Just remember you need to wash between claying and polishing, or you're going to get in trouble.