Dust specticle trapped in new clear-coat - need some help!

LSNAutoDetailing

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So the saga of my Mustang continues. When I picked up the car they swirled the heck out it... Which I spent 4 days fixing (all documented in another thread).
Car is back to 100% show car condition. Actually it's better, because I even spent time getting the little stuff I've been living with for years.

No the car is ready for clear-bra, and the manager of the shop (who wasn't thrilled with the work his guy did), found two little spots on the bumper cover that has shop dust that dried in the clear coat. He said he will fix that before the clear-bra goes on, otherwise it will bubble the clear-bra.



The Circle area is the dust trapped in the clear-coat. The other specs are just specs of dust and are on the surface...



I asked how he was going to fix it, and he stated, 1500 to 3000 sand paper then compound....

Here are my options, let them do the work (probably WILL NOT be surgical) and I've already detailed the entire car.... Or I do it myself... and here is where I need some help (as I've never done this before).

If wet sanding is the proper resolution, this is what I had in mind for a more surgical approach.

1.) Get a #2 Pencil a whole punch, crazy glue and start with 3000 grit sand paper.
2.) Whole punch the 3000 sand paper and adhere it to the pencil eraser with crazy glue. Let it dry.
3.) Place the tip of the pencil (with the sandpaper) on the actual spot and carefully twist the pencil so it rotates back and forth. (Kind of like a very miniaturized buffer).
4.) Wipe and inspect. If the spec is gone, proceed to 5.
5.) Compound with Pinnacle Advance Compound and then Advanced Finishing Polish (either with DA or by hand applicator).

Please let me know if I'm on the right track or if there is a better way to do this. I'd rather do it then let the body shop do it.
 
Nope, that sounds like the way to do it. Although I can't really see what you're talking about in the picture, what you've described is usually referred to as a "dust nib".
 
Is it sharp? It doesn't really look like a dust nib...it looks like a zit, which is probably something else.
 
a dust nib is usually something that lands on the paint after it's sprayed before it dries (or between passes). Something big and rounded like that is likely something else, you don't know what that is going to be inside if you sand it down--maybe it's a dust nib in the primer or base.

I'm saying if it's just dust on top that feels sharp then you can sand that off and the paint should look pretty good under. But if it's a smooth bump like that and you sand the top off, what if it's primer underneath?
 
I agree with Setec, it doesn't look like dust landed in the clear, but rather that something was on the surface and was painted over. To me it looks like the color is on top of the bump which means (most likely) there isn't any base under the bump. If anything I would let the body shop fix it, that way you're not responsible for screwing it up if there isn't any paint under it.
 
I can't tell what the defect is by the pic but let's just assume it a dust nib. I wouldn't do the pencil eraser thing... if you're not perfectly perpendicular to the surface while sanding the edges could dig in. And with such a small diameter of the eraser tip that is going to be very hard to control. In my opinion you're better off just using a small piece of paper and your finger tip or something a little easier than the eraser tip to keep flat. I've used popsicle sticks and they work very well. Just wrap a small piece of sandpaper around the stick and have at it.
 
As stated earlier let the shop do it, if it is deep and they screw it up it is on them. I would not use the pencil as it could cause a divit that may be very noticeable. When wet sanding 99.9% of the time I use a rubber 4" block to remove orange peel etc. and keep the clear level. They also sell foam blocks that work well around creases etc. If the shop does the repair inspect carefully from different angles looking for the pot hole you will have to live with if not seen on the spot.

Dave
 
Let them worry about it IMO. You may want to inspect before the clear bra is installed.

For me I'm comfortable wet sanding and refinishing... I'd take a Trizact P3000 sanding pad. Cut a small rectangular piece off and back with a piece of cardboard for flatness. Using a spray bottle wet the area and the Trizact with water. Using small X pattern lite strokes I'd file the dust nib down. Then do the detailer thing polishing out the P3000 scuff marks.

You can see the small piece of Trizact and the cardboard block. This makes it easy to grip the sanding pad while bending it between your thumb, middle and index finger. Cocking it up so only about half touches the finish while having a good purchase on the pad.

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