My black hartop is a milky charcoal color after polishing!!

[usracer900]

Need some advice from you experts here. I recently bought a black 95' Miata with a hardtop. The hardtop had quite a bit of scratches and definitely looked "different" from the rest of the car when I bought it. I honestly can't remember if it was this dark milky color beforehand so here's my question.



I polished (using the PC) with Meguires step 1, then Menzurna IP, FP, then both Kasse twins. I put three coats of the sealing glaze too Is it possible I actually changed the depth or color of my hardtop from black to this charcoal grey milky color? It's not noticeable during the day, but under halogen lights in my garage I can definitely tell the difference. At least all the scratches are gone



Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[John N.]

I just detailed a black '98 Miata last weekend. The whole car, including the hardtop had single stage paint. From what research I did, I found that the Classic Red, Brilliant Black and Chaste White have single stage finishes (at least through the late '90s), while the Emerald, Silver and Twilight are base/clears. You might have some pretty severe oxidation, UV damage, or something like that. Do you have any pictures that you could post for us to see exactly what you are talking about?

 

[John N.]

I recently bought a black 95' Miata with a hardtop. The hardtop had quite a bit of scratches and definitely looked "different" from the rest of the car when I bought it. I honestly can't remember if it was this dark milky color beforehand...

Is it possible that the hardtop came off of a different Miata, one that might have been a shade different color from the factory? Or, that the top has been repainted at some point (or the car, apart from the top), thus the slight difference in color?



If the color is only noticeable inside, under halogen lights, I probably wouldn't worry that you polished the hardtop enough to change its color. it is most likely that the paints themselves don't match perfectly.

 

[Mike-in-Orange]

it is most likely that the paints themselves don't match perfectly.

This is what I'm thinking. The removeable hard top may not have been given the same level of care as the rest of the car over the years, hence the difference in quality/appearance today.



Oh, and John, not to pick nits or anything, but there was no '98 model year Miata in the US due to some timing issues with the change over to the new body style. Or something like that. Other parts of the world had '98 model year cars, but then again the rest of the world never called it Miata, so.....ah heck, now I'm just rambling.