Can this be removed without repainting? (PIC inside)

[96Lude]

Hey guys,

I had a question for the experienced detailers (which means all of you since I just began learning about detailing).

I just recently washed my dad's car and I noticed some oxidation mainly on the roof of the car, trunk lid, and especially on the hood.

Here is a pic of what I see on the hood right now:



If I pass my finger over it, the surface is smooth. I have already clayed it and it didn't change. It seems as if it's deep in the clear coat.

I am new to Meguiar's products so I would appreciate if someone could steer me in the right direction. I am not even sure if this can be removed by polishing of it needs to be repainted. Can a product such as #83 remove it?

Thanks.

[Setec Astronomy]

That looks like a bird poop etching. It may be unremovable. You may be able to lessen the appearance. Over-the-counter products available at the chain stores which you could try would be Scratch-X followed by Deep Crystal #2. Make sure you cover the DC2 with a good wax or it won't continue to give you the effect.

[probegt]

More than likely not. I have it on the hood of my truck and have tried wet sanding it but had no effect. From the pic it looks like it is to far down. I could be wrong though. It is hard to judge by a pic though.

[LiquidBlack]

Scratch X, work it in for awhile, wipe, repeat. Hopefully, the problem will be eliminated or lessened.

[SiriusRIMZ]

I would have to agree with the bird dropping. I have the same problem with my Jeep. Scratch-X helps, but it won't remove the problem.

[LiquidBlack]

It could remove the defect, actually, if the surrounding clearcoat reaches the same height as the etching. Either that or it will be much less pronounced.

[Setec Astronomy]

Well, that would be the hope, but that looks like one I have that's basically down to the primer...nothing helps it.

[Xtreme99_s-Dime]

I'm a little un-sure, but that could be the start of clear coat failure. It looks like it, but you said that it was smooth to the touch.... other cases that I have seen of this, the surface gets a little rough over the top of the blemish.

Just my $ .02

Stevo

[sneek]

i dont think its a clear coat failure the car looks like an accord 03-06 unless its taken some serious abuse or im wrong about it being an accord i think its from bird droppings and in that case try http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...&threadid=1516

[gb387]

I agree with the etching of some sort(bird poo).... it does look very similar to the photo in the link sneek posted.

In 96Lude's photo almost looks like it ran down the hood a little(closest to his finger).

[sneek]

you have swirls too so you almost have to buy scratchX eather way its 15.99 at canadian tire

what part of canada are you from ???

[Bence]

I am sorry to say that, but every kind of etching has a rough/wavy feel because the acids destroy the surface. If the surface is smooth, then the clearcoat started to delaminate, causing this milky discoloration. In this case, the only solution is refinishing the affected area.

[96Lude]

The car is actually a 1997 Honda Civic. I tried Scratch-X today and it made it SLIGHTLY better, however it's still very visible. I'm guessing the hood will need to be repainted unless I try a product such as #83 or #84.

Thanks for all the replies.

[LiquidBlack]

I say keep at the scratch-x sir. Sometimes, you may find that a change in technique was all that was needed to produce the desired results. I'd hate to think that I could have removed a defect like that with scratch-x than to refinish the area.

[96Lude]

UPDATE:

Today I had some spare time and I further analysed the etchings and I found that if I pass my fingernail over it I can actually feel it under my nail.

I would imagine that the whole clearcoat is finished and the defect cannot be removed.

Can anyone confirm this?