White single stage paint question

[mstapes]

Hey guys and gals,

I am attempting my first single stage paint detail on a 2012 Honda Civic in Taffeta White.

Yesterday I spent some time mapping out my process and doing a series of test spots on the car. This is my mother's daily driver so I am hoping to get this done with as few steps as possible.

I started by trying poliseal with an orange pad on the 4.5 setting of my griots machine.

I was not totally satisfied so I did another section with UC on an orange pad and then followed up with 205 on white. (speed 5)

Below are pictures of the test spots. (the one with a few swirl marks is done with poliseal(middle picture), the others are UC and 205)

Does anybody know what are the small tiny dots are to the right of my finger? This isn't normal for single stage paint is it?

Any other suggestions to tackle the job?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[cleanmycorolla]

did you clay? maybe its some kind of crud???

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Those dots are what look like solvent popping which generally only happens with repaints.

Just to note, I've seen this pin holes in hundreds of cars I've buffed out over the years when using a DA style polisher.

If you look at a LOT of other people's before and after shots you'll see the same thing.

I have some theories but nothing concrete...


Remember, anytime you're working on single stage paint to clean you pads often, especially if it's oxidized.

 

[mstapes]

Those dots are what look like solvent popping which generally only happens with repaints.

Just to note, I've seen this pin holes in hundreds of cars I've buffed out over the years when using a DA style polisher.

If you look at a LOT of other people's before and after shots you'll see the same thing.

I have some theories but nothing concrete...


Remember, anytime you're working on single stage paint to clean you pads often, especially if it's oxidized.

Thanks for the information mike! Can you elaborate on the solvent popping and what exactly that means? Its just frustrating to know that the paint on this new car is in less than ideal condition. Is there anything you suggest I do to these "pin holes"?

 

[Shawn T.]

Thanks for the information mike! Can you elaborate on the solvent popping and what exactly that means? Its just frustrating to know that the paint on this new car is in less than ideal condition. Is there anything you suggest I do to these "pin holes"?

Maybe if you were wet-sand the entire car you could remove them but besides that I would probably just live with them.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks for the information mike! Can you elaborate on the solvent popping and what exactly that means? Its just frustrating to know that the paint on this new car is in less than ideal condition. Is there anything you suggest I do to these "pin holes"?

After I posted the above I looked for some close-up pictures to show what I'm talking about and while there are plenty of photos showing this issue I couldn't find one "quickly" and had to move on to another project. When I find one I'll post it.

These "hole" looking defects tend to go "into" the paint, they are not just "on" the paint so buffing and buffing and buffing just removes more and more paint as you chase the holes further towards the underlying panel.

I also wouldn't try sanding them out because "factory" paint is just too thin, especially if you live where there's a lot of sun and your car is parked outside.

Thin paint risks clearcoat failure.