Ooops! Scratch fixing time!

[Below Reality]

I just re-painted my 89' Saleen Mustang a light gray (non-metallic) using BC / CC Urethane Paint. The paint is now fully cured.

Everything has been wet sanded from 1000, 1500, 2000.


I have also buffed the entire car with 3M Perfect it Compound to remove the wet sanding marks and bring up the shine.

However, there is a spot on one fender that is causing problems. There are scratches/ swirls that I can not seem to get worked out via rotory or PC.

The new clear coat is incredibly hard, which under normal circumstances, is a good thing in my veiw!

I've attacked this fender with 3m Super Duty Rubbing Comound via rotary with an Edge Yellow Pad, a 3M Compounding (waffle) Pad, and even a SM Arnold Wool Compounding pad, at different speeds.

Helped a little, but didn't really get anywhere.


Next up, grabbed the PC (primarily on speed 5 & 6) and SSR 2.5 edge yellow, green, and blue, pads. Nothing.

I kept trying different pads and products, all of which fell short of correcting the paint.

SSR 2
SSR 2.5
Auto Magic Syntheti-cut
Megs Scratch-X
3m SMR


I'm at a loss on where to procede next.

I can not catch my nail on any of the small scratches so I'd reason that they can be polished out.

I have Poorboys Pro Polish on the way from the Anniversary Sale to give a shot - so I'll give that a try, but would appreciate some further suggestions.


Worst case scenario- the scratches may be under the paint in the primer itself, in which case is a definate strip and re-paint. If that's the case, what would you all reccomend that could improve (fill?) the appearance of this area for a couple of weeks until I have time to re-paint?

Paint gloss and smoothness isn't a problem, it's just this one darn little spot that's perplexing an otherwise decent paint job.


Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[CharlesW]

Worst case scenario- the scratches may be under the paint in the primer itself, in which case is a definate strip and re-paint. If that's the case, what would you all reccomend that could improve (fill?) the appearance of this area for a couple of weeks until I have time to re-paint?

Considering what you have tried with little or no success, it really sounds like you may have diagnosed the problem right there.
I personally have not had much luck with any product truly filling in any flaws to satisfy me. NXT or a carnauba product would probably be what I would use, but don't expect too much.
If you are going to repaint it in a couple of weeks, can you just live with it?
Maybe stay away from that fender so you don't see it.

Charles

 

[Dans Detailing]

it sounds to me like that one area needs to be re wet sanded . I woudl not bother with a PC when rbringing the shine up from a wet sand, its not the right tool fro the job. Stick with a wool pad and your micro finishing compound, and be patient with it!