Restoring the paint

The paint is in pretty rough shape, especially after cleaning it for the first time. To start fixing this, I used a clay bar. The surface was quite rough, likely due to years of being exposed to the elements, with debris sticking to it.

After using the clay bar, the difference was amazing. The paint became noticeably smoother, especially compared to its original sandpaper-like texture.

Next, I'll use a polishing wheel to give it more shine. The picture shows the clay bar being applied to one side of the hood. The driver's side already looks a bit shinier and shows less fading than before.