Bird dropping etching and crows feet solution

[MidnightAcura]

Hello all,

I just bought a 2004 Acura TL. I just began getting into detailing. I recently just washed, clay barred, applied meguirs ultimate compound, polished, and wax. The car looks better, but there are a few issues that are still bugging me.

One, there are some spots on the hood that are simply not coming out with the ultimate compound. They look like bird droppings that baked on the car for far too long. I spent 40 minutes using UC and still they remain.

The other problem is centered around the lower hood and mostly the front headlights. I believe these are crows feet, and I realize its the first sign of clear coat failure.

I wish I knew about this stuff before I bought the car. Still, I got a great deal on it and i'd like to make it shine! So please, help me. What can I do to get rid of the etchings on the hood at this point? Is there any solution to the crows feet?

Pictures below. the first picture is of the crows feet, the second picture is of the hood stains.

[ken tuep]

Your only real fix is getting the areas repainted. No amount of compound, polish, wax or sandpaper will make it better.

A tinted wax might make it less noticeable, but wont fix the issue. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using AG Online

[mikesal57]

+1...its toast

[swanicyouth]

Trade it in for a BMW. Toyota & Honda paint ain't no good after years in the sun.

[Rsurfer]

And that's why you got a good deal.

[MidnightAcura]

Thanks for the reply guys. This is indeed a bit disappointing. I understand the crows feet is not fixable. However it is does not bug me as much as the hood stains because you can't really see the crows feet unless you get real close.

As for the bird stains on the hood, are you absolutely sure wet sanding won't work? I know it won't do anything for the crows feet.

I love this car, it's my first car that I have actually felt proud of. I am willing to spend some money to get it looking good. However I know how much repainting costs...it's almost as much as the car's worth. I suppose I could get the hood repainted as a last resort.

The rest of the car's paint isn't as bad luckily.

[asalesagent912]

sorry but i totally disagree about Toyota paint. i just clay bared and wax my toyota 4 runner that is 10 years old and looks mint..
as for your bird stains it wouldnt hurt to try and wet sand 1 and compound it again. good luck

[bsmith0404]

Personal opinion...those aren't bird stains, that is clear coat failure as well. Can't be 100% sure from a picture, but that's what it looks like to me and would explain why it isn't correcting.

[asalesagent912]

yes i may agree. that may have been a poor paint job from collision shop or someone waxed the car before the paint had a chance to cure.

[aim4squirrels]

There was anecdotal evidence of the new black label diamond surface coatings significantly reducing the appearance of crows feet in this thread:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/73798-show-shine-big-red-meets-pinnacle-black-label-surface-coating.html

I don't know if it will solve your clear coat issues, but it might be worth a shot.

Even at the full price, it's cheaper than a repaint.

[michelliot]

I have had bird etchings removed in the past with minimal effort. Machine polishing was the only cure. By hand didn't have any effect.

Best of luck