Serious Polishing Help

[Mr. Clean WA]

Order placed Let's see how this goes! Thanks everyone! Ended up going with the 105, 205 and orange pads with one cyan pad.

 

[Mr. Clean WA]

So - update. I tried the 105 and the cyan pad and while it does give an excellent polish and removes almost all the imperfections, it doesn't get these drop marks out. They might have been pitch? Tar? I don't know.
Wet sand next? Maybe 2500 or 3k grit?
This sucks...

 

[BobbyG]

perhaps some 5.5 inch pads, a 5 inch backing plate and Mernzerna polishes are in order.

These are my first line of defense. I've really warmed up to the 5 1/2" pads vs. the 6 1/2" especially when using my Porter Cable 7424 polisher.

In my opinion Menzerna makes some of the finest compounds, polishes, sealant's, and waxes on the market especially if you like to stay within a given product line.

 

[sohail99]

Can you post a few pics of the problem area you're talking about?

 

[Mr. Clean WA]

These are my first line of defense. I've really warmed up to the 5 1/2" pads vs. the 6 1/2" especially when using my Porter Cable 7424 polisher.

In my opinion Menzerna makes some of the finest compounds, polishes, sealant's, and waxes on the market especially if you like to stay within a given product line.

It's far beyond that I think. The 105/205 combo gives a spectacular finish but doesn't remove these spots.

Can you post a few pics of the problem area you're talking about?

Yeah, probably should have done that first!!! It's just about dead center, just below and right of the reflection of the light. Excuse the polishing residue and lint But these, are everywhere.

*edit-My apologies for not posting this earlier as these are the crux of the problem and I know it sucks not having all the info when trying to help someone

Link to original http://mortensonphotography.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v12/p82257031.jpg

 

[sohail99]

I super zoomed into it(btw nice pic!! :xyxthumbs

It seems like clear-coat cracking/failure

Others might be able to clarify better.

 

[Mr. Clean WA]

I super zoomed into it(btw nice pic!! :xyxthumbs

It seems like clear-coat cracking/failure

Others might be able to clarify better.

Maybe. They're all over and it seems like if I scratch certain ones with a nail or wet sand they come off? I don't have the patience to wet sand very well though...

 

[BobbyG]

I super zoomed into it(btw nice pic!! :xyxthumbs

It seems like clear-coat cracking/failure

Others might be able to clarify better.

Now that I have a closer look I agree, the clear coat appears to be failing.

 

[Mr. Clean WA]

man, that seems too soon. It's an '09!

 

[BobbyG]

man, that seems too soon. It's an '09!

Wow, and I agree!

You might want to check with the dealer and if it's happening all over then something either contaminated the surface prior to clearing or the clear was bad...

Was the car parked near something that could have been splattered or splashed causing the clear to lift?

That's a real shame!

 

[Mr. Clean WA]

Wow, and I agree!

You might want to check with the dealer and if it's happening all over then something either contaminated the surface prior to clearing or the clear was bad...

Was the car parked near something that could have been splattered or splashed causing the clear to lift?

That's a real shame!

It's possible, unfortunately I bought it used and it was a rainy, cold day so you really couldn't tell the difference between rain drops, water spots, etc. It could be abuse by the previous owner.

The spots do come out with wet sanding though, is that the only option?

 

[BobbyG]

The spots do come out with wet sanding though, is that the only option?

It "might" be.

The reason I say might is because Mike Phillips did an article on bird etching that really minimized the defect. I tried to locate it but was unable to.

Mike if you read this maybe you'd remember the article and chime in...

 

[slickooz]

This may help.
So wet sanding an area like his would remove the etching?


http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-long-does-take-bird-dropping-etch-paint.html

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I super zoomed into it(btw nice pic!! :xyxthumbs

It seems like clear-coat cracking/failure

Others might be able to clarify better.

That's not clear coat failure, something has landed on the paint, dwelled there long enought to soften and wringle it.

Bird droppings can do this, see the below article from my articles page...

Two Types of Bird Dropping Etchings

Excerpt...

Type II Bird Dropping - Fractured/Wrinkled Etching
Type II Wrinkled Etchings are usually too deep to fix safely. The problem is the paint fractures, (splits apart in tiny lines,), or wrinkles as the paint swells and bunches together. In both instances, the resulting defect is throughout the clear layer of paint and not topical. Thus trying to remove it will require removing so much clear paint that you will likely expose the basecoat, or colored layer of paint which has a dull appearance. For this reason it's not safe to try to remove a Type II Bird Dropping Wrinkled or Fractured Etching.

Photo courtesy of AutogeekOnline.com

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

The problem with compounding or sanding defect like this is the defect isn't merely "topical", it runs throughout the matrix of the clear layer, so abrading the surface will just expose more of the cracks.

It's possible you could abrade the area enough and actually uncover clear paint that's not fractured or cracked but even if you do you would then have very thin clear in that area.

What you do depends upon how important it is for you to have a flawless show car finish. If it's vitally important, then decide if it's worth repainting, if it is then try to remove it and if you make a "whoops" mistake, then simply have it repainted and you can always say you tried.

If you don't want to repaint the car or the panel, then maybe learn to live with it.

 

[BobbyG]

Hey Mike,

Not too long ago you did an article on bird droppings that really minimized their effect. The etching was still there but no where near as noticeable. I even commented asking whether or not some wet sanding might help..

Wish I could remember what the process was called because I think it might help here...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hey Mike,

Not too long ago you did an article on bird droppings that really minimized their effect. The etching was still there but no where near as noticeable. I even commented asking whether or not some wet sanding might help..

Here's the thread...


http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...eguiar-s-microfiber-da-correction-system.html


The pictures were taken right after I did the polishing work. I think the cracks have turned white again but I haven't looked recently.

 

[Mr. Clean WA]

Thanks Mike. That sucks. I figured it was some sort of contaminant from the previous owner. I'm anal enough that it really bothers me but not rich enough to have the panels re-painted. I spent the better part of the day on just my hood today with minimal luck and of course it's nice and sunny out today, it's a black car, and they show like mad.
Well, lessons learned, AGAIN.
Wash the car before buying it and go over it with a fine tooth comb.
Post pics of the problem before you purchase stuff to fix what you can't fix.

Frick.

 

[BobbyG]

Thanks Mike. That sucks. I figured it was some sort of contaminant from the previous owner. I'm anal enough that it really bothers me but not rich enough to have the panels re-painted. I spent the better part of the day on just my hood today with minimal luck and of course it's nice and sunny out today, it's a black car, and they show like mad.
Well, lessons learned, AGAIN.
Wash the car before buying it and go over it with a fine tooth comb.
Post pics of the problem before you purchase stuff to fix what you can't fix.

Frick.

I understand your position and now have to ask how bold are you?

Plan B

You might try some careful wet sanding with 2000, 2500, and 3000 grit then compound and polish. Depending on the results, at his point you might want to try a glaze to fill and then a sealant.

 

[Mr. Clean WA]

I understand your position and now have to ask how bold are you?

Plan B

You might try some careful wet sanding with 2000, 2500, and 3000 grit then compound and polish. Depending on the results, at his point you might want to try a glaze to fill and then a sealant.

I did 2000 then the 105, that took a bit of work. I don't have any glaze except for some DP wheel glaze, I do have some Klasse though. I don't know. I have a friend of the family that restores British cars (Brooklands British Cars) so I might see what it will run to repaint the areas in section, hood first, top of car second, trunk last...