Clearcoat failure or single stage paint or..?

[sparkism13]

I have 2006 Infiniti G35 laser red. Bought it used so don't know the exact history, but no accidents were reported on it. The side view mirrors are very dull compared to the rest of the car. They look oxidized so I took a bit of SwirlX and manually rubbed one of them with a microfiber applicator. I immediately started seeing red on the pad. I stopped, of course as my first thought was that the clearcoat was completely gone and I was rubbing the paint.

There are no other parts of the paint that look as dull as the mirrors, though, and both mirrors look like this. I can't imagine that both mirrors would wear equally while no other parts of the paint were affected. Is it possible the mirrors are single stage or something other than clearcoat? Any advice wold be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[EVOlved]

My guess the mirrors are a respray and they used single stage.

[sparkism13]

I guess the real question is, whether single stage or clearcoat failure, it it OK to try and polish out the oxidation and water spots without damaging them further?

[HD.Detailing]

get some CF covers.. haha

pics please?

[Mike Phillips]

I have 2006 Infiniti G35 laser red. Bought it used so don't know the exact history, but no accidents were reported on it. The side view mirrors are very dull compared to the rest of the car.

They look oxidized so I took a bit of SwirlX and manually rubbed one of them with a microfiber applicator. I immediately started seeing red on the pad.

I stopped, of course as my first thought was that the clearcoat was completely gone and I was rubbing the paint.

If they were clearcoated and the clearcoat was "failing" or coming off they would look like they had a bad rash.

My guess is they are color matched plastic, not painted just like a lot of side mirrors are black plastic and fade and oxidize just like these red side mirrors.

Continue on with the SwirlX and then coat with wax. Then maintain with "something" a cleaner/wax would work or continue with the SwirlX + wax. It will always oxidize and fade if you don't do something on a regular basis.


I buffed out the car on the label of SwirlX back in 2002 for the 2002 Bimmerfest in Santa Barbara, California




Wait till you see the Van we buffed out in my Detailing Boot Camp Class last weekend, it had dull, faded black side mirrors and all we did was hit them with a one-step cleaner/wax, (AIO to you people that like the word AIO instead of cleaner/wax).

[sparkism13]

Hmmmm....good point. Most car side mirrors are plastic, but wasn't sure if clearcoat is/was used on them. I'm just afraid that if I keep rubbing, I will take off more paint and they will end up looking a much lighter shade of red than the rest of the car. Is this a valid concern or should I expect to look nice and shiny red again with close to same color as original?

[sparkism13]

Here is what they look like.

[sparkism13]

Remind me not to doubt you again, Mike.

I hit it with the Swirlx, and one was so bad I used Ultimate Compound. Then finished both mirrors with D301. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Before:



And After:

[BillE]

DING DING DING..and we have a winner!

Looks good...

Bill

[sparkism13]

Thanks! Now that the two side view mirrors are done, only the rest of the car to go.