Polishing an Original Healey

Depending on timing and schedules, I may be helping a fellow Austin Healey owner polish/wax his 47-year old, original-owner, original-condition Healey before the 50th anniversary Tahoe meet. A few club members went over to see the car the other day, and I volunteered to help out between now and the meet, if schedules permit. I've got a bunch of Meguiars products - body scrub, cleaner/wax, polish, Carnauba wax; don't know what he has or plans to use - it doesn't look as though polishing/waxing has been a priority over the years, but the car has been kept in a garage. The finish is dull red, but not oxidized. I tried doing a 4" square the other day - it cleans up a bit, but pin-head size flaking (my Healey has the same "condition" - must be an "old paint" thing) fills in with cleaner and shows up more, and the finish doesn't get real shiny. I think the goal is to just get a layer of wax on the car. Would appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Hi Healeygal, I have seen Georges car. The checking in the paint often appears on old lacquer paint. I actually kind of like it, (over a repaint) as it adds a certain "class" to a car. It by no means detracts from the beauty of the 100.

Hi Doug,

Re "checking" -
So there's a name for that condition! My car's got it, and it seems to be getting worse. You're right - it adds a patina, but in a car show, she looks like the "before," whereas all the other cars are the "after."