Imprint Rings - A specific type of water spot on car paint by Mike Phillips

[Mike Phillips]

Imprint Rings - A specific type of water spot on car paint by Mike Phillips


Imprint Rings
These water spots look like they're established water spots, that is, every time it rains, or a sprinkler goes off, the water pools in the same place giving any corrosive substances IN the water a repeated opportunity to etch into the paint.






Visually, I can tell the paint is likely etched in this instance but I won't know till I get the surface clean. The first step is to wash or wipe the finish, in this instance I'm going to repeat wiping process I used on the Mercedes-Benz with a spray detailer.







After wiping the paint clean, there are water spot imprints remaining in the paint.





CLOSE-UP Shots of Imprint Rings






Note: These rings are actually etchings in the top layer of paint.








Because an Imprint Ring Water Spot is an actual ETCHING in the paint, you cannot simply wipe the imprint rings off nor can you use health risk hazard techniques like wiping the paint with hydrofluoric acid to remove them.

The correct way to remove them and the only way to remove them 100% is to abrade the surface with a high quality polish that uses top shelf abrasive technology. If the etchings are really deep then you may need to use compound which is more aggressive than a polish.

Order of aggressiveness as listed on page 92 of The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine


Aggressive compound
Medium cut polish
Fine cut polish
Ultra fine cut polish


Of course, always test the least aggressive product to get the job done so you leave the most paint on the car.


Common sense car detailing

[Gam]

Mike, i got something like this on my new car from the dealership. Their paint specialists said that they will use DA Polisher to remove these spots. Do you think it's a good idea that they use this equipment to remove these spots?

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, i got something like this on my new car from the dealership. Their paint specialists said that they will use DA Polisher to remove these spots. Do you think it's a good idea that they use this equipment to remove these spots?

Yes. That is a safe approach. Its also important theyvuse guality compounds and polishes. Low wuality abrasive technology will remove the defects but leave micromarring behind.

After they remove the imprint rings they will then need to seal the paint again using a wax, synthetic paint sealant or paint coating.

You may have gotten lucky and be dealing with a dealership that has staff that knows what they are doing.

[Gam]

It's a first for this dealership to handle an issue like mine. Everyone was very surprised that i caught this paint problem, and they did not.

My next worry now is that they still have yet to figure out what type of pads and chemicals (wax, compound or sealant) to use. The service manager was able to mention too that they are considering 3M products to remove the imprint rings. I'm not sure if they are right on the dot with product choice. Can you help me on what product to suggest to them that would be widely available. I worry that one mistake with the wrong chemical/material would certainly mess the whole thing up.

[Mike Phillips]

3M makes great products, as long as they finish out with the Ultrafina that should work.

You can find Meguiars Ultimate Compound at just about any store and its a proven winner for dual action polishers.

In the future, you could get your own dual action polisher and easily do this type of work yourself.

[Gam]

3M makes great products, as long as they finish out with the Ultrafina that should work.

You can find Meguiars Ultimate Compound at just about any store and its a proven winner for dual action polishers.

In the future, you could get your own dual action polisher and easily do this type of work yourself.

I am definitely considering in buying my own DA polisher. I've read a few threads about Ultrafina being made for black painted vehicles. Mine has a lightly dark silver type. will ultrafina be fine? Is it also mandatory that they use the Blue pad for the Ultrafina?

I think they can find the Meguiars Ultimate compound easily. What wax or sealant would you recommend as as final touch, Mike?

Appreciate all your help!

[Mike Phillips]

Shared here,

Ceramic Coating water spots