original paint

[kshef]

the original paint on the car is dull in some spots...used clay bar to clean it, nothing came up...the paint is just bad, nothing new
will getting it buffed return the paint to a glorious shine?

 

[kh440]

It will buy some time, but be careful that you don't burn through the paint around the edges. GM did not use the best paint back then so you will have to bite the bullet sooner or later.

 

[Gary Wells]

FWIW & IMHO:
You might want to try some glaze, by hand, or some real light polishing compound, by hand, and see how it does. Might suprise you. I prefer glaze myself.