im detailing a car that has been sitting outside untouched for about 3 years...what would be the best way to clean the paint....the car is white
i tried just regualar car wash...but it still looks dirty

 

Wash twice, clay bar, compound the trouble spots (typically the horizontal flat parts where stuff sits more), polish the whole car, seal your hard work, and apply a high-quality carnauba paste wax.

If you wash a car and it still looks dirty, then the clear coat is probably full of contaminants. This is the best way to deal with that.

 

thanks chibi,
no clear coat on this however its an enamel paint....im thinking of trying a rubbing compound on it before i do anything else..not sure how a clay bar would work on paint without clear coat

 

I'd use the clay bar before the rubbing compound. Rubbing compound is way too aggressive. It will damage the finish and need to be buffed out. The clay bar is not aggressive at all and doesn't need clear coat to work. It even works on things like overspray on glass or even vinyl decals.

 

x2, I would still start with the clay bar, but also any wax you would use on the enamel paint is a MUST after you clay.

 

x3 great advise.
You may want to check auto geek .com for supplies they also have some great tips as well.