Burned paint on first try

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mrbrons

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So I did my first paint correction on my 2001 corvette. There were two small parts that I actually burned through the paint on edges. I was using a griots DA with a lake city orange pad and Wolfgang swirl remover. Is this even possible or is it something I didn't notice before and was done by previous owner.
 
Uh oh....take pics.

Edit: I assume you didnt tape off the edges in question?
 
It is possible. I believe Mark, five point o?, has some experience with this from when he polished his vette. Hopefully he chimes in. And yes, please post some pics.
 
It's possible. I did it with a PC. But I really overworked the surface going after a scratch. I just went through the clear coat. Oddly enough, it was on a plastic fender flair.
 
swanicyouth said:
It's possible. I did it with a PC. But I really overworked the surface going after a scratch. I just went through the clear coat. Oddly enough, it was on a plastic fender flair.
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What do you consider "overworking" the surface? I've got some scratches I'm going to work on and don't want to do that!
 
volrus said:
What do you consider "overworking" the surface? I've got some scratches I'm going to work on and don't want to do that!
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Does your fingernail catch the edge of the scratch or is it shallower than that?
 
Here are a couple pics. It isn't real bad, but enough to drive me over the edge. They are both edges between body panels. I was so very careful and didn't over work the area. In barely hit the edges. Now I have no idea what to do.


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83C02A80-B926-4FBA-B0CA-5B83E359ECA8-3839-00000736E0F8B146.jpg
 
snowking724 said:
It is possible. I believe Mark, five point o?, has some experience with this from when he polished his vette. Hopefully he chimes in. And yes, please post some pics.
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You're right!:dblthumb2:

Yes, I burned an edge on my 07 z06. I got overly anal trying to remove a scratch. I held the polisher in the same spot and used heavy pressure. You have to really try to do this, though. Bonehead mistake. If you keep the polisher moving, there's a very small chance you'll burn the edge.

mrbrons said:
I was so very careful and didn't over work the area. In barely hit the edges. Now I have no idea what to do.
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Highly, highly doubt you burned the edge.
 
If you were very careful not to overwork, the only other possibility is that the clear coat was thinned some much by someone else, then you going over it took it over the edge and burned through.

Its really not the end of the world tbh, many paint systems before did not have clear coats.

If it really bugs you (it would sicken me tbh), I would take it straight to a good body shop or painter with a proper booth (id go to a painter, they are better with stuff like this) and get them to fix it. Depending on the conditions, they respray the entire panel or re-clear it.

Remember that DA buffers are safer, but not fool proof. The Griots (particularly powerful), can generate quite a bit of heat. Heat burns paint and if held on a body line or edge for even a few seconds due to the high concentration of power on one point.

Also remember (nerd time), Corvettes are all fibreglass and plastic. Compared to aluminum or ferrous metal panels, composite materials do not dissipate heat very well, in fact they act like an insulator. So on any composite body parts, you have to be even more conscious about heat because it builds faster.

Larry at AMMONYC demonstrates this best [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htsl7ICY8Nw]$1,000,000 Ferrari Restoration Detail - YouTube[/video]

Hope this works out for you!!
 
So folks, what are other alternatives in such scenarios where there's paint damage, and it's near an edge?

Should one then perhaps safely resort to hand polishing? I'm getting the impression this is the correct answer. Mark
 
mrbrons said:
So I did my first paint correction on my 2001 corvette. There were two small parts that I actually burned through the paint on edges. I was using a griots DA with a lake city orange pad and Wolfgang swirl remover. Is this even possible or is it something I didn't notice before and was done by previous owner.
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That's gotta hurt. :eek: Rememer tape if your friend.

Interesting read on soft vs hard paint on MOL that Mike did a few years back. Another on soft or workable paint.

Later,

Cardaddy
 
MarkD51 said:
So folks, what are other alternatives in such scenarios where there's paint damage, and it's near an edge?

Should one then perhaps safely resort to hand polishing? I'm getting the impression this is the correct answer. Mark
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Like cardaddy said, tape is your friend. I NEVER start a client's car without taking the time to properly tape it.

Either you do something right, or you dont do it at all. Also avoid polishing near the edge for too long and lighten up the pressure on the pad when your coming up on it.
 
So do you tape all edges and body panel transitions. I kept the polisher moving and used very light pressure. I even switched to the whit lc pad after the first time I did it. The more I think about and look at it I think it had to be there before, or maybe I am just telling myself that to feel better.

Besides the minor burns the rest of the correction went very well.
 
mrbrons said:
So do you tape all edges and body panel transitions. I kept the polisher moving and used very light pressure. I even switched to the whit lc pad after the first time I did it. The more I think about and look at it I think it had to be there before, or maybe I am just telling myself that to feel better.

Besides the minor burns the rest of the correction went very well.
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I agree with Fivepoint.0, its very hard to burn through the paint even on the edges. You would have to have your DA chill there with a good amount of pressure.

My take is that now that your "inspecting" the paint more because your detailing, you noticed it to whereas you would not of before. If that makes any sense. Youll be alright man.
 
Cool thanks for the encouragement. I will keep,working at her. I just finished applying some wolfgang sealant. Now to let it set up then on to the pinnacle wax tomorrow. Does anyone have a pic of a c5 all taped off so I can get an idea of the parts a missed when taping.
 
mrbrons said:
Cool thanks for the encouragement. I will keep,working at her. I just finished applying some wolfgang sealant. Now to let it set up then on to the pinnacle wax tomorrow. Does anyone have a pic of a c5 all taped off so I can get an idea of the parts a missed when taping.
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:cool:

Honestly, I only tape where I have to, to avoid staining trim with polish. You're pretty hard pressed to burn paint with a DA *if you keep the polisher moving*. Doesn't have to be fast, just don't chill in one spot, like CM8 said.
 
FivePoint.0 said:
:cool:

Honestly, I only tape where I have to, to avoid staining trim with polish. You're pretty hard pressed to burn paint with a DA *if you keep the polisher moving*. Doesn't have to be fast, just don't chill in one spot, like CM8 said.
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+1
 
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