What to do when aggressive clay and machine polishing isn't helping?

[ihaveacamaro]

So I was in a bind today, I got paid to do a 1-step to spot fix these two panels, and it sucked. To top it all off, it was raining. You really shouldn't use electronics in the rain, but when you're a broke-ish college kid, you do what you have to.

Like MP always says, match your services to your customer, well this lady didn't want anything but the blue paint off her car from where someone hit her.

I started off cleaning it with UWW+. Didn't touch the blue paint transfer.

Moved up to claying with an aggressive grade Optimum Opti-Eraser. Didn't touch it.

Ok, next step, machine compounding with M205 on orange flat pad. Didn't touch it.

Next and most aggressive step was M101 on a GG with a cyan cutting hydrotech pad, and you guessed it, wasn't touching this AT ALL.

Well, I was at a bit of loss at this point. Called the lady telling her what I planned to do and what the risks involved were and she said to go for it.

I took a used gift card and started scraping off the paint transfer. Finally got rid of it, but scratched the living sh!t out of her paint.

Attacked it with M101 again and these were the results.

So, I don't ever want to do this again. I hated myself for using a card on this lady's poor paint, but it seemed like the only option left. I could've wetsanded but that seemed even more aggressive than the credit card and would've probably removed even more paint.

So what would you do when aggressive claying and machine compounding doesn't fix something?

Thanks,
Roshan

 

[Gurge]

you should have tried tarminator first. that alone sometimes will remove paint transfer

 

[Custom Care]

you should have tried tarminator first. that alone sometimes will remove paint transfer

That's a great nugget of information because I've got a paint transfer on a black Altima from a hit and run I've got to tackle for my Granny.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

you should have tried tarminator first. that alone sometimes will remove paint transfer

Thanks, I will add it to my next order. Haven't ever had to need it until now.

 

[ca.detailchick]

"Goof off "works well too for paint transfer.:bigups

I usually use laquer thinner .Most modern paints are safe to use it but some soft paint it can eat into. And of course the old laquer paints ,the thinner would remove the paint.So its better to use something safer if you have it.

 

[Old Pirate]

A good detailer always try something that should work but there are times that nothings works. One thing you should have in your detailing supplies are some Safe Scrape Double Sided Plastic Blades, a life saver IMO.

 

[Old Pirate]

BTW a great save there!

 

[Orinda Auto Detail]

Laquer Thinner would of wiped it off safely in 2 seconds. I use it all the time. If the paints soft you might have to lightly polish afterward. Make sure you get laquer thinner not paint thinner. Awesome save!

 

[DeuceRon]

I bought one of those paint kits like Dr Color Chip and it came with a bottle of 'blob emliminator'. It's only function is to remove paint that's not factory. I have used it for paint transfer and it's really good for cleaning up a previous owners butchering of paint chips. Disolves foreign paint like magic.
Just a thought..

 

[holland_patrick]

Ssr3 rocks in a bottle...

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Thanks guys, sounds like I'll be getting some terminator, lacquer thinner, and some plastic razors.

Thanks all

 

[L&I Detailing]

Along the lines of goof off, acetone, paint thinner ive been using a product called tape off lately and love it, wipes all the scuffs, and on boats I cant tell you how many times a womans nail polish gets all over fiberglass at boat shows that ive had to get off and it worked great! when nothing else would.

 

[Reflectiveauto]

I use a Meg MF pad...that works everytime for paint transfer.