Clients car oxidized, 84 helped but should I cut my losses?

[TH0001]

Sorry for the non-English attempt at a thread title...

Potiental client brought his car to me, its an '86 Vette with pretty severe oxidation on the clear coat. I taped off a small area and went to work with 80/PC. Removed the very light stuff, area was still pretty oxidized, but glossy . Went to 83 via rotary for two passes, small improvement, but there was still a line of oxidation that appeared deep. Went to 84, 1800 RPM via rotary with a cutting pad. No improvement, so I finished back with 80/PC.

At this point, I informed the client that this is far as I felt comfortable going. I think I did the right thing, as I don't know how much clearcoat was on the car to begin with and I am not going to burn somebodies clear because of my stubborness.... I know you can't "win" them all!

Should have I went to the wool/85 and pushed my comfort zone? I hate throwing on the towel, but I didn't want to risk this guys clearcoat, even if it means I could loose him as a client... ARGHH!!! Somebody tell me I did the right thing!

[Murr1525]

Sounds fine to me. At least he wont go around telling people you ruined his car...

[Mike Phillips]

You did the right thing.

If M84 with a cutting pad on a rotary buffer did nothing or little to fixe the problem this is a sign the problem is to far advanced to fix and the smart thing to do is to be honest with the customer and tell them than nothing is going to undo that damage at this point in the game.

Some times you just have to know when to walk a way...

Good choice.

[Kickin Griffin]

I would have stopped where yuo stopped, without a doubt. I always carry a PTG with me when detailing, and constantly check the paint thickness as I detail, monitoring the initial thickness and the amount of paint being removed - at all times, I inform the owner of why I am doing what, and when I stop short of removing defects they can understand why I didn't perservere.

Its all good and well removing all of the defects, but what makes a great and safe detailer for me is someone who knows when to stop.

You did the right thing in my book.

[Black Bart]

Sounds like you did the right thing but your story brings tears to my eyes. Man I hate to see a vette that has been neglected that way.

[TH0001]

Bart, I hear ya!!!! To be fair, it was the previous owner who neglected it, the current owner has done quite a bit of work to it since owning it a year ago. It now sports a 383 TPI (Lignefelter intake, AFR heads, Comp cam, headers) and a intercooled procharger!!!!

Kickin Griffin, where can I get further information regarding accquiring a PTG? (paint thickness gauge?)

Thanks for all comments, I thought I did the right thing, but sometimes its so tempting to go all out!!!!

[Kickin Griffin]

Originally posted by TH0001

Kickin Griffin, where can I get further information regarding accquiring a PTG? (paint thickness gauge?)

I'm not sure where in the US sells PTGs, as the one I got was part of a group buy organised via another detailing forum. A couple of UK companies online do sell them, but I'm sorry to say I'm not sure about the US...

A couple of tips for when you are looking for one - make sure you get one that works on both ferrous and non-ferrous paints.

One of the best PTGs around is an Elcometer, however these are quite expensive. I cannot post a link on here, but if you type Elcometer into a search engine I'm sure something useful will come up.