Hey Ric, ...probably best to let Dad rule on
this one.

Check to see if it's clearcoated.  My last
experience trying to restore black was on a
friends '87 that had clearcoat over the black.
Car has been 'cooked' in the sun a lot.

We started a gentle buff and the clearcoat
started 'falling apart' (sort of lifting in
crumbs).  Turned into a lot of sanding to remove
the coat.
--
pj

He has a what? At best most all consumer orbitals are polishers,
forget it.

He's right on.

If it won't bring back a 2,000 grit wet sand it needs to take a ride
to the recycle people. You need a buffer that has the power not to bog
and that can warm up the paint to make it flow, are you scared yet,
you should be. It will take about $50 to $80 worth of at least 2 grits
of good buffing compound and a couple of different buffing pads of
different cutting ability. Learn to do, not cut, edges or take it to a
good shop.

Or just buy some 2,000 grit paper, some fine clear coat
buffing/polishing compound, (Ref: 3M 05993) and have at it.

Watch out for the edges.

While I was typing this a lady stopped to pick up her red Eldorado
that she "keeps covered all the time." Of course that is the best
place for her cats to piss which cut some of the paint and has ruined
some of the window seals and may never smell the same again. I had to
charge for the pads because they smelled so bad I burned them after I
spent 6 hours cleaning and buffing. Second time I've done this car but
this time it cost double the last time and the clear coat won't take
another buff, a new paint job is all that will bring it back.

Watch out for the edges.

Watch out for the edges.

The best $50 I ever spent was dropping my Black C5
at the dealer's paint shop for a wet sand.  

It looked like a new car and I did the full Zanio
treatment after the pro did the wet sand.