Etching

[hondacrazy]

How do I get out the unsightly etching marks on my hood? The more I polish and remove the swirls, and polish and apply the sealant, the more the etching marks show. rubbing my finger across them-I can not feel them, am I stuck with them? they look so horrible in the sunlight. I have 3 of 4 big blobs on my hood (prelude). ARG. the rest of the car is pretty much becoming swirl free, no etching.

[TrufflePig]

any pics?

[Murr1525]

When you say polish to remove swirls, do you mean using DC#2, #7 Show Car Glaze, etc? Or products like DC#1, ScratchX?

[hondacrazy]

pics eh? guess its time for me to read Mike's post on how to post pics...maybe later tonight. the process is #83, then #80, and then #21, with the G100.

[hondacrazy]

Ok, tried to post a pic for the first time. If it works, you will see my hood is in pretty bad shap : (
The "etching" I am speaking of is in the lower right of the pic, it didnt come out too well, but it sure does POP in the sunlight-looks awful, I have a least 4-5 of these marks that are about the size of 2 quarters...thoughts?

[Murr1525]

It sure seems to me like #83 and a 8006 pad should be able to get that out, esp since Hondas are a little more on the soft paint side of things.

I assume you are fairly familiar with the PC, given this a read, etc?

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Remember etchings and swirls are basicaly the same idea, that is indentations in the paint, that you have to level off around.

[Guiser]

My Prelude also has several small places where etching has occurred. I have been able to minimize them using ScratchX by hand (with a hi-tech applicator pad), followed by #83 (G-100, 8006), then #80 (G-100, 8006). They are still there, but getting better.

I think the next time I do a full detail I'm going to try the ScratchX again by hand, but use 100% terry cloth towels (this is supposed to be a bit more aggressive). Some of my scratches disappear like magic with only 1 or 2 applications, but others are more stubborn and persist after even 5 or 6

- Ben

[hondacrazy]

I have used the DA a fair number of times, but i am still in the learning process. thanks for the link, i have read it before but its always good to refresh. I suppose i could either be rushing or doing to large of a space. i also normally do not put pressure on the DA as per the instructions, but I can give that a shot. any more input is welcomed!

[Guiser]

I believe 10-15 lbs of pressure is recommended when applying cleaners by DA and also a slow arm speed and small work area. You have to work the diminishing abrasives against the area and allow them to break down and polish out. When I first started I wasn't doing these things and wasn't getting the results I wanted. You should check out the DVD "How to use the PC for Showcar Results." It contains lots of useful info (working by hand as well as by machine). I found it extremely useful to see someone applying the techniques rather than just talking about them

- Ben