Polishing compound fogged my paint, how to fix

Chuck Moreland · 06-02-2002, 07:10 PM

In an effort to spruce up the luster on my paint I tried a bit of white polishing compound. It left the clear coat with very fine scratches that leave the paint kinda foggy looking instead of mirror finish.

I have always beleived that, when all else fails, read the directions. So after doing a section like this I decide to break down, read the directions and learn they don't recommend its use on clear coat.

Three coats of wax later it looks better but still not right.

Paint experts, what do I do to restore the luster? Wet sand?

Chris Lovell · 06-02-2002, 07:46 PM

www.carcareproducts.com
Call these guys.

Early_S_Man · 06-02-2002, 08:09 PM

Chuck,

There is some special 3M polish/glazing compound just for clear coats, available at an automotive paint store ... test a small area, say at the right front corner of your hood, and see if the problem disappears.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Hi Chuck,

3M Imperial Hand Glaze is supposed to be miracle stuff. To clarify, there is a difference between polish and glaze - and from the sounds of it I think you need glaze. I'm getting some of the 3M glaze this week. This from Carcareonline:

Quote:

GLAZE: A glaze usually denotes a superfine friction type of cleaning agent, usually with essential emollients and lubricating oils and may even contain some mild chemical cleaners. Glazes will usually remove mild swirl marks, scratches, refresh the paint with oils and smooth out the finish.

POLISH: A polish is normally a non-abrasive product based on a nutrient oil matrix and may or may not have a chemical cleaner as part of the package. Most polishes use fillers to help cover swirl marks.

I'm with Chris - call Car Car Specialities at 877-796-8300 tomorrow AM and ask for help. They continue to impress me with thier knowledge of different products, what works and how to use them. They specifically understand the various years of PCar paints.

Here's a link to thier tech article on cleaning paint: Clean Paint

No affiliation - just a satisfied customer.

Good Luck!

Don

Chuck Moreland · 06-02-2002, 09:34 PM

I'll give car care a call and check out the glaze.

"White polishing compound" is not a car polish. It is mild abrasive rubbing compound which traditionally was used as the last stage of rubbing out a paint job.

pwd72s · 06-02-2002, 09:45 PM

Chuck, you might experiment, in a small portion of the damaged area with Meguiar's #7. It's dubbed on the label as a show car glaze, "a pure deep gloss polish for use by hand". And most importantly? "safe and effective for all paint finishes, including clear coats". It's work to apply, my shoulders get sore after doing the entire car...but it's one of the least abrasive, yet effective polish/glaze compounds I've found. Also, this is NOT protective. Be sure and give a coat of wax after this product gives your finish (hopefully) the look you desire...

911pcars · 06-03-2002, 12:24 AM

Chuck,
I got a chance to meet you and discuss the state of the economy at Festival of Speed a couple of weeks ago. You've got a really nice car.

Factory color coat and clear coat is applied at a pretty much consistent thickness which is measured in mils (millionths of an inch). Not sure how much clear you rubbed off, but you don't want to get down to the color coat as the paint area will look slightly different without the clear. To err on the side of conservatism, you may wish to do this before attempting the DIY solutions.

I'd suggest a conference with a detailer so he can measure the paint thickness of the affected area (they have instruments to do this) and compare with the surrounding, untouched paint. He can then suggest a course of action or proceed to the next step of restoring it to the way it was. You can call Meguiars (here in So. Calif) to get a recommendation of a detailer.

Hope this helps,
Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

Carrera Charlie · Carrera Charlie's Garage

Chuck,

I can strongly recommend Griot's Garage for their Fine Hand Polish. I used it for 2 minutes on my Mercedes Benz last week and it removed all the swirl marks in the area I was working on. Here's a link to their polishing page with some good information:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1004

I have an automotive paint chip repair business and need good products to touch up scratches and so far Griots products have been the best. Check them out and see what you think.

Regards,

89911 · 06-03-2002, 03:56 AM

Unless your car has a repaint or is one of a few specialty paints from the factory, your car does not have a clearcoat. Does the paint color come off when waxing? If the problem does not go away, a professional final polishing from a paint shop (not a detailing place) with the right compounds will bring it back to its luster. My thoughts are the compound you used has placed fine scratches in your finish that are still there.

Jim T · 06-03-2002, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
Paint experts, what do I do to restore the luster? Wet sand?

Don't wet sand! That is going the wrong direction as far as abrasiveness.

It needs to be polished out. Given how scratched up it is, I think the easiest way would be with an electric polisher. A good detail shop will have the various levels of polish and the equipment to make it mirror finish in very short order.

pwd72s · 06-03-2002, 07:56 AM

NIX on the wet sand idea...boy, I don't know that I'd consider that ever...rule of thumb for this amateur detailer is to always start with the mildest product (for me, that usually means just a cleaner wax, but you've already done that?) and if it doesn't work, move up in strength of abrasiveness or harshness. The #7 I suggested is that step. It and the Griot's fine hand polish are very similar products, and they work well. But you can pick up the Meguair's #7 in almost any car parts store. Regardless, let us know what you decided, how it works out, okay? Good luck..Paul

Moses · 06-03-2002, 08:10 AM

Sounds like a job for Z5. Give the Zaino Brothers a call. If it can be fixed easily, they will help you get it done.

Chuck Moreland · 06-05-2002, 07:38 PM

I tried a product by Turtle Wax called "scratch and swirl remover". It is a very mild abrasive, comes as a liquid and you can't feel any grit with it between the fingers.

I used a lamb's wool pad on a polisher. Even with that it took a lot of effort. This stuff is very mild.

The result is pretty good. I'd say I'm 90% right now with one coat of wax. I think a couple more waxings and I'll be home.

I am writing 100 times on the black board .....

"I will not use white polishing compound on clearcoat"
"I will not use white polishing compound on clearcoat"
"I will not use white polishing compound on clearcoat"
"I will not use white polishing compound ...................."

2.7911E · 06-05-2002, 08:29 PM

Chuck, your paint should shine without wax. The wax is more of a protectant. When I color-sand with 2000 grit the paint looks foggy. I use Meguiar's Fine cut Cleaner #2 with a buffer. It takes some polishing to bring back the shine but the paint is shiny after this stage. I follow that with #7 Swirl Remover and finally #26 HighTech Wax. I have used Meguiar's for several years and have been quite happy with it. If you bring the shine with wax, as it wears I think the dullness will return. With polishing before wax I thnk the shine will be more durable. That's my .02, Michael

mattdavis11 · 06-05-2002, 09:39 PM

I always use the 3m stuff when high speed buffing. The rubbing compound I always apply with a semi wet (more than damp) sock or all cotton cloth, applying lightly to mild pressure. Hit it then with a wool buffing pad with the Milwaukee, however, you can do it by hand with a cloth. Next is the 3m foam pad polishing glaze, they sell two kinds, dark or light colored cars. Agian, apply this by hand (that stuff can fling around, and be a B***h to get off trim) the glaze is removed with, you guessed it, a foam pad. Yet once more you can also remove it with a cloth. Finally hand wax, I use either turtle or simonitz. When using a buffer be sure not to spend a lot of time in one section and use light pressure. For those areas that got a heavy application, wet cloth routine again. I bought all the stuff from a paint store- buffer and all around 4 years ago for about $400. This is what I bought, if any one cares: 1 Milwaukee high speed buffer, 1 Hookit Perfect it backup pad(part # 051131-05717). 2 Hookit Plus compounding pads(part# 051131-05711), 2 Hookit Foam Polishing pads(part# 051131-05725), 1 qt. rubbing compound, 1qt. each foam pad polishing glaze for dark cars and for light. I still haven't run out of any(probably 25-30 polishes). All is made by 3m, except the buffer of course. I know it sounds like a hassle, but well worth it. After all you get to spend more time with your baby! BTW anyone seen what a labrador can do to your Porsche's paint on the hood or trunk lid after Dad lets it sleep in the garage on a cold night? I have! Sorry for the lenghty detail, thanks for the opportunity to chime in, even though I have a 944. I love all that Dr. Ferry Porsche designed.

KTL · 06-06-2002, 08:03 AM

I'll agree that the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze followed by a good wax is a great combo. Thing is, it only hides the scratches. It doesn't clear them up. A few washes and some sun exposure, and the swirls/scratches reappear.

Only way to get rid of the haze/fine scratches is to make even finer scratches that are less visible. Micro-polish is what you need and with this stuff you need to do it mechanically. The abrasives are so fine, you'd be rubbing forever by hand to see any results.

Unless one has a major paint flaw (like oxidation for instance) you really want to avoid abrasive products altogether. This includes cleaner waxes/polishes! Those of you with mirror finish cars, take care of the paint every way you can. Use a dedicated sponge or mitt for the body, use plenty of mild car wash soap, and rinse/reload the mitt frequently. Don't share this item by using it when cleaning the wheels. Brake dust and other road grime is not paint friendly when it comes to scratching!

Planter91C2 · 06-06-2002, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
I tried a product by Turtle Wax called "scratch and swirl remover". It is a very mild abrasive, comes as a liquid and you can't feel any grit with it between the fingers.

Chuck, i tried this new product from turtlewax also, it comes in colors for different color cars. i bought a black lexus for my wife that needed some help to get the finish back.

i tried meguiars, mothers, clay barred it. and so far the thing that worked the best is that turtlewax scratch and swirl remover. it comes in black color(i used that one)

it did the best so far, but i'm going to try the 3m handglaze this weekend.

those guys with black cars, i would recommend the black turtlewax polish.

i was drinking alot of beer and decided to use some white polishing compound on the headlights

luckilly i was very gentle, i now realize that was probably a mistake.

the only reason i bought the white polishing compound was because it was $1.47 at walmart for a can, so i said what the heck.

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Hi Chuck,
Sorry I didn't get to meet you out at Parts Heaven..
Too busy manning my boat down the street..
anyway did you get your paint in order? if not I know a local guy that will come to your house by appointment.
This guy knows his stuff and for about 100.00 bucks he will polish and wax your car he can remove Swirls, scratches and fogging it don't matter this guys performs miracles I have been using this guy for about 7 years. well if you get tired and fustrated let me know.

Jorge (Targa Dude)