Removing Paint Fingermark - Help

BeanesFXR6

BeanesFXR6

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HI Mike,

I'm new to the forum and detailing. Bought your detailing ebook as well a few months ago from AGO. Appreciate your advice (and our experts on the forum) on how i can remove a fingermark on my car paint.

Tried Meg's SwirlX by applying it 3X using a pad applicator (microfibre) but with no success. Smudge seems to be embedded. I have attached a photo.
DSC_0150.jpg

Regards,
 
Might have to get into wet sanding if it's into the clear coat. Is this a repaint or factory?
 
Thanks Ryan. Fingermark is on factory paint. I noticed this mark already when i picked it up from the dealership. I remembered touching it prior to driving it out and the mark was a bit sticky (like a tape residue). I did not bother worrying about it as i though i can remove it easily by myself. First i tried to wipe it off with cloth but it was sticky difficult (like removing a nearly dried polish) so i left it there for a week. Then i tried swirl x but it just made the mark smooth and non-sticky.

Regards,
Jel
 
Hmm. Have you tried any type of adhesive remover like Stoners tarminator or goo gone? If that doesn't do anything i'd take it right back to the dealership and figure it out. Hopefully someone else has input
 
Did a second try today Ryan. Tried warm water and detergent to remove polish and wax. Then used UC instead of SwirlX even tried WD40 with no success. I have mineral turpentine (paint thinner) beside me but decided not to use it as it may make things worst.

I think i will have to bring it to a pro to have it sanded as you suggested.

Thanks.
 
I doubt that sanding will do anything for you. If that won't come out with compound/polish it's more than likely stained to the point that you run a very high risk of sanding through before removing the stain completely.

I can't tell from the picture but maybe you can shed some light... Is there a surface finish disruption at the blemish or is it consistent with the surrounding area? If the finish is consistent then there's a very good chance my initial assessment is accurate. If there is some finish disruption at the blemish then a light sanding may help.

And one final note. In your initial post you said you "applied" SwirlX. SwirlX isn't really meant to be "applied". It takes a bit of elbow grease to remove defects/blemishes. "Applying" is for waxes and such, not compounds/polishes. Compounds and polishes need to be "worked" to be effective.
 
2black1s, when i cleaned the area with warm water (w/ detergent) and applied WD40, i felt some disruption. However, after rubbing it with UC it went flat and smooth again. I was using a microfiber applicator to rub the UC. Not sure if i applied enough pressure though but i was rubbing it with both my hands back and forth (a small amount of UC -dime size at the tip of the applicator) until clear.
 
Just to chime in....

Paint defects are either,


Topical - That means on the top surface.

Below surface - This would be a scratch or swirls.

Under the clearcoat - Defects in the basecoat or even primer coat that are covered over by the clear coat.
​


You can remove topical defects and if they are not to deep you can remove below surface defects but if the defect is under the clear layer of paint you cannot fix it wihtout repainting.


:)
 
Thanks Mike, Ryan and 2balck1s for your inputs i'll give it one more go over the weekend or maybe bring it to a pro detailer to check.
 
New car?

If so and it needs paint I'd see if warranty will cover it since it was there before the vehicle was delivered. I've worked a two dealerships as a painter and we/they get good blending in the same new factory colors on a daily basis.
 
nice truck RedX. Thanks for the idea. Ill bring it back.
 
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