What's this and how do I fix it?

[Ted S.]

Looks like some bad compounding. Diesel and a torch should get rid of it for sure, but I'm sure there are much more affordable fixes.

[Ted S.]

Looks like some bad compounding. Diesel and a torch should get rid of it for sure, but I'm sure there are much more affordable fixes.

Of course, if these are waves (varying paint depths) in the paint, you can compound and polish the waves all day, or until you are out of clear, but all you will do is make the waves shinier and swirl free.

I'm almost thinking that the paint will have to be leveled out, as from what is mentioned above: sanding. If possible or feasible, and you have the skillset to correct this yourself, use a PTG to see if there is enough paint.

Will a PTG even work on that kind of paint? Thats what I would look into next....

[cagui1223]

Looks like someone drew on your car with a green sharpie pen

That other stuff looks like orange peal

The green sharpie is the OP pointing out the swirls on the surface. Notice how the circle overlaps the pen resting on the surface.

Its unfortunate about the swirls. When you do fix it, let us know the method you used.

[Tato]

I'm pretty afraid polishing alone won't solve at all, but I've suggested a small test spot (not too small (16x16) to work the polish better on surface) just to get in contact with defects and see how paint would respond.

Based on that, you can see how further you can or MAY go on this.

'Good luck',

... always find the least abrasive method to get the job done...

Kind Regards.

[Sandpit]

Of course, if these are waves (varying paint depths) in the paint, you can compound and polish the waves all day, or until you are out of clear, but all you will do is make the waves shinier and swirl free.

I'm almost thinking that the paint will have to be leveled out, as from what is mentioned above: sanding. If possible or feasible, and you have the skillset to correct this yourself, use a PTG to see if there is enough paint.

Will a PTG even work on that kind of paint? Thats what I would look into next....

I can get access to a PTG. Will see what results I get.

I'm pretty afraid polishing alone won't solve at all, but I've suggested a small test spot (not too small (16x16) to work the polish better on surface) just to get in contact with defects and see how paint would respond.

Based on that, you can see how further you can or MAY go on this.

'Good luck',

... always find the least abrasive method to get the job done...

Kind Regards.

Thanks for the comprehensive advice. I will need to get a few supplies in and will then give it a try and see what works.

Appreciate all the input guys. May be a while before I get back to report on results.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

The affected area shown is indeed a repair from a body shop. The prep work prior to painting was not 100% perfect.

The only way to fix it is to have the affected area re done by a top notch body shop.

[Ted S.]

The affected area shown is indeed a repair from a body shop. The prep work prior to painting was not 100% perfect.

The only way to fix it is to have the affected area re done by a top notch body shop.

This is interesting, I didn't even thing about body repairs. If this is the case, they really half-assed sanding down the bondo or fiberglass or whatever they used....

If this is the case and the paint is not the problem, then I will have to recommend Smack's suggestion unless you have extensive body repair and refinishing experience and the facilities to boot.

[Sandpit]

The affected area shown is indeed a repair from a body shop. The prep work prior to painting was not 100% perfect.

The only way to fix it is to have the affected area re done by a top notch body shop.

Yeah, that's what I am afraid of. Can't feel the imperfections by hand, which just means they have put enough clear on to fill the valleys.

Will take it to a decent body shop here (if such a thing exists) and see what they think.

When I got the car the paint was oxidised over the center of the hood. Cleaned up ok with Swirl-X, but then I could see this c^%p underneath.

[Mike Phillips]

Can't feel the imperfections by hand,

What you want to do is what I call troubleshooting. Most troubleshooting for paint defects means using some painter's tape to see what you can and what you cannot do or affect on the surface. It's only surface defects that any of us can fix.


Here's how to troubleshoot this problem...

When you get your polisher, place a tape-line using painter's tape right smack down the middle of the affected area.

Now... ONLY polish on one side of the tape line. Start with a fine or medium cut polish. The SwirlX is a fine cut polish. The Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover is a medium cut polish. A product like Wolfgang Uber Compound or Meguiar's Ultimate Compound would be considered an aggressive compound. (See my article here)


After buffing the section for 4-6 section passes stop polishing, wipe the residue off and inspect closely to see if you AFFECTED the side you polished.

By the word affected, I mean did removing a little paint from this side make the visible defects go away or reduce them?

If it did, then remove the tape and buff the entire area and your paint problems will be gone.

If it didn't then you can try more polishing with a more aggressive product to see if more buffing does the trick.

Once you come to the conclusion that working on the surface has zero effect that's your clue that the defect is NOT topical but UNDER the clear and no amount of buffing is going to have any effect.


Hope that helps...

[Sandpit]

What you want to do is what I call troubleshooting. Most troubleshooting for paint defects means using some painter's tape to see what you can and what you cannot do or affect on the surface. It's only surface defects that any of us can fix.


Here's how to troubleshoot this problem...

When you get your polisher, place a tape-line using painter's tape right smack down the middle of the affected area.



Once you come to the conclusion that working on the surface has zero effect that's your clue that the defect is NOT topical but UNDER the clear and no amount of buffing is going to have any effect.


Hope that helps...

Thanks for the advice. Makes sense to me. Nothing to lose by giving this a shot.