What are these tiny little specs? Prepping for a nice coat

[jay23ls]

Thanks for all the replies in my other threads on what coat to go with. I noticed these little specs when I looked at my polishing results so far:

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You can only see them when there's light directly on them, where the light itself is seen in the reflection. Are these the iron holes or craters MarkD51 mentioned in the coating thread? I didn't use IronX, did't know about it. I clayed, polished and waxed (I know, I waxed before I decided on doing a coating). I rubbed off the wax in 1 small section w/ a IPA n water soaked MF towel to see if I could feel these things but I can't. Paint is super smooth. Thanks

Btw I know there's some swirls left. Its an older car so I went easy w/ the DA w/ speed 3, Meg's UC and Griots orange cut foam pad, just 2-3 passes.

 

[emmjay]

I noticed these on my brothers BMW as well. I think its the case with older cars that were not maintained since day one, pitting maybe?

I never got an answer to what these were either.

Here is a picture of my brothers car. I only worked on it 3 years after he got it. This picture was post polishing. From a distance it was crystal clear but closer look shows this - similar to yours. Paint was smooth as glass though.

Most of these were only on horizontal panels.

 

[jay23ls]

I noticed these on my brothers BMW as well. I think its the case with older cars that were not maintained since day one, pitting maybe?

I never got an answer to what these were either.

Here is a picture of my brothers car. I only worked on it 3 years after he got it. This picture was post polishing. From a distance it was crystal clear but closer look shows this - similar to yours. Paint was smooth as glass though.

Most of these were only on horizontal panels.

Thanks for the pic, lets me know I'm not alone lol But yeah look straight up the same. I don't see them as anything stuck on the surface but I just bought IronX iron n metal crap remover to see if it doesn anything. It probably is just micro pitting =X

 

[jay23ls]

Anyone else have this or know what it is?

 

[jay23ls]

Wednesday humpday bump in case anyone recognizes these things!

 

[Sizzle Chest]

They could possibly be solvent pop. Would need a few better pics if possible.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I noticed these on my brothers BMW as well. I think its the case with older cars that were not maintained since day one, pitting maybe?

That's what I'd say. The thing is that cars that are outside are constantly assaulted by bird crap, sap, brake dust, insects, etc. Not all of it is seen or removed quickly. If you think about it, how many spots of various contaminant could sit on a car at various times for hours, days, weeks, it's pretty easy to imagine that after years you could wind up with thousands of tiny pits or etches.

 

[emmjay]

That's what I'd say. The thing is that cars that are outside are constantly assaulted by bird crap, sap, brake dust, insects, etc. Not all of it is seen or removed quickly. If you think about it, how many spots of various contaminant could sit on a car at various times for hours, days, weeks, it's pretty easy to imagine that after years you could wind up with thousands of tiny pits or etches.

Agreed. Especially since his paint was not worked on for 3 years or protected in any way. Being black is just the cherry on top lol.

 

[jay23ls]

Well now you guys gave me some terms to look up I believe its pitting on a tiny scale. There seems to be nothing to solve it besides grinding away a lot at the clearcoat w a wool pad or something pretty aggressive. Car is 22, actually 23 yrs old ($#!t its almost as old as me haha) and paint looks great aside from that so Im ok w/ it. Thanks for the info