Stains underneath clearcoat on white car?

[2wheelsx2]

Is it possible for stains to etch underneath the clear coat. Today, I helped a couple get started on their detailing odyssey but showing them how to take the oxidation off their white 1993 Volvo. It was pretty bad. The paint was all flat. But with some 3M SMR, a lot of elbow grease, I got that car gleaming before I sealed with a coat of #20. However, there were two spots on the hood which were stained. Looks almost like someone spilled ink on it in splotches. I did not appear to be on the surface. I hit it with SMR and scrubbed HARD, 3 tries, to no avail (no PC yet). Could it be that something etched itself UNDER the clearcoat?

 

[Michael H]

It is possible that the clearcoat has been stained. I have been lucky to cut out the stains when they have ocurred. Just remeber it is better to have a small stain and clearcoat, as opposed to no stain and no clearcoat! In other words do not cut too much clearcoat.

 

[BradE]

If it's a stain then chances are it's not under the clear. But, it could be so far into the clear that it can't be totally removed. You would first need to determine what caused the staining before you could address how to remove it.

 

[2wheelsx2]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Unfortunately, I was working on it with the owner present, and he had no idea. The main reason being was that the car was so neglected and dirty that he couldn't really see anything on the finish before. Now that it is clean, he can see every little ding and imperfection. This is one of those cases where a proper detail highlighted every flaw in his finish over 9 years of neglect.