Oxidation returned overnight?

[Dakir]

Hello all I have a red 1997 Ford Probe GT with a very oxidated roof and hood. I purchased the Meguiar's Paint Restoration Kit and followed it step by step I have before and after pictures here (http://m1241.photobucket.com/albums/Dakir89?newest=1) results were unbelievable and I was amazed! Did the ultimate compound with a 7 inch orbital buffer and had a little red on the wool cutting pad I used. Pictures really speak for themselves but I had washed before waxing due to a collection of dirt/dust that had collected in my garage overnight. Still looked no different shade wise after the wash hand dried with clean microfiber towels let cool down in garage then proceeded to wax on cool clean paint. Let wax soak in till finger swipe test was clear and didn't smear, wiped clean with more microfiber towels looked glossy and vibrant red. Let it sit outside overnight no rain or temps above 75 woke up and paint faded at least 50% of how it originally looked. Help please!

Brett

[Dakir]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

Here is a direct link to four before, four after kit, and four after one day outside pictures. Help please!!

(Http://s1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg509/Dakir89/Mobile%20Uploads/)

I will also add I took my time and completed each step of the kit. I also used the whole bottle of ultimate compound to make it look that great. I even was hesitant about washing after I had done the compound so I asked Meguiar's through email which gave me the reply that the gold glass wash wouldn't affect anything which I believe it didn't due to the amazing final results. Still have no idea what is happening.

[ChevyNick]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

Definitely looks like clear coat failure. You said you saw red on your pad, and you used a whole bottle of Ultimate Compound? Seems like you used a lot... did it look like that before you did the Ultimate Compounding? Because I wonder if you were buffing so much with UC that you went right through the clear, but I don't think it would oxidize that quick.

Either way, I'm 99.9% sure that is clear coat failing on you. You need to get it repainted. That is the only fix.

[Dakir]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

Definitely looks like clear coat failure. You said you saw red on your pad, and you used a whole bottle of Ultimate Compound? Seems like you used a lot... did it look like that before you did the Ultimate Compounding? Because I wonder if you were buffing so much with UC that you went right through the clear, but I don't think it would oxidize that quick.

Either way, I'm 99.9% sure that is clear coat failing on you. You need to get it repainted. That is the only fix.

Yes looked worse then current pics, guy I bought it from said it sad idle for a bit. Wash and wax really bring it back which is why I don't think it is clear coat failure. It had red in two spots, spot on back right near wing no picture of it cause I know that is clear coat failure no gloss at all and another spot is really red streak on hood but it looks glossy still so idk i do have pics of that. I don't think the rest is clear coat failure though compared to the spot on the back or possibly streak on hood. Why would it come back so red and glossy nearly perfect then fade back in like 16 hours? Paint looked better then ever almost flawless and buttery smooth after I completed kit. :-(

[ChevyNick]

I'm not too sure then; someone else will chime in soon I'm sure. I'm still gonna put my money on clear coat failure. Unless this is something to do with dried paint? I'm gonna have to go read that article again and refresh my memory. I think there's such thing as dried paint, lol.

[TLMitchell]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

FWIW, you can include a pic in your posts by using the image link for your pic, then you can label each one individually for easier recognition.




Is this a before or after?

If this were single stage paint you should have had a LOT of red clogging your pad. If this is a clear coat finish it looks about shot and I doubt you'll get it restored.

When you say you used a "7 inch orbital buffer" that leads me to believe it may have been one of what many cal a "wax spreader" because they really aren't the tool for real correction.

My only thought is that perhaps you didn't abrade the finish adequately to completely remove the oxidation. The polishing oils and the effect of the wax may have contributed to the initial improvement. A smaller test spot to refine your process prevents finding you have unsatisfactory results after doing the entire car.


TL

[Dakir]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

FWIW, you can include a pic in your posts by using the image link for your pic, then you can label each one individually for easier recognition.




Is this a before or after?

If this were single stage paint you should have had a LOT of red clogging your pad. If this is a clear coat finish it looks about shot and I doubt you'll get it restored.

When you say you used a "7 inch orbital buffer" that leads me to believe it may have been one of what many cal a "wax spreader" because they really aren't the tool for real correction.

My only thought is that perhaps you didn't abrade the finish adequately to completely remove the oxidation. The polishing oils and the effect of the wax may have contributed to the initial improvement. A smaller test spot to refine your process prevents finding you have unsatisfactory results after doing the entire car.


TL

That is before the kit, each picture is labeled in comments too on photobucket. The 7inch I have is a buffer/sander with alot of pad attachments. The wool pad I used with the ultimate compound was pretty much all red from cutting I also did it at speed 2-3. If I didn't cut it enough with a full bottle of the ultimate compound and about 3+ hours just for hood and roof Idk what else to do. It was VERY red, glossy and vibrant when I applied the wax. Even better results after I brushed it off with some microfiber towels no red on the pad when applying wax or on the towels wiping it off. I just dont understand how it can improve 100% put a good protective layer of gold Class carnuaba plus wax and overnight it looks faded. Wax was absorbed in for sure too. So confused. :-(

[Sean Conrad]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

I don't think that is oxidation. I really think that is clear coat failure. Your pad should not have been that red. Yes it will be glossy, but without the clear coat it goes away quickly!

[Mark58]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

Clear coat is gone.

[Bjkearns]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

failure=repaint...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

Unfortunately, this all looks like clear coat failure. Clear coats fail primarily in two different ways - they either delaminate from the color coat and start to flake off, or they oxidize and start breaking apart. The former is painfully obvious because you literally have paint peeling off just like your skin after a bad sunburn. But the latter can often look like the classic oxidation we've all seen on single stage paints. The difference, however, is in the chemistry of the paints:

• In a single stage lacquer paint job the upper "layers" of paint oxidize, turning white and chalky. This upper "layer" of the paint can then be buffed away, revealing fresh, glossy and deeply colored paint beneath it.
• In a base coat/clear coat paint system the clear coat is a catalyzed, uniform coating. When it oxidizes the result is a breaking down of that coating and it can start to crumble away. Unfortunately, due to this catalyzed finish it just doesn't lend itself to be buffed out. Once it starts to fail, it's done and nothing will bring it back short of a repaint.
  • Further, the color coat below the clear is not designed to be glossy at all - that is the job of the clear coat (along with providing UV protection for the color). So you can buff the heck out of it and, although it will appear glossy for a while, it won't stay that way for long. Again, it's the chemistry of the paint.

So, in this case, you've got some definite crumbling of the clear and apparently some spots where it's missing completely. This certainly accounts for the color on your pads, and even the apparent restoration of color to the finish. But it also means that any correction is going to be fleeting at best. If you could get a good week out of the improved look, you'd be doing pretty well. But who wants to go through this process every week??? Again, since the color coat won't hold a gloss on it's own, even if you sanded away all the clear and then buffed the finish out, it still wouldn't remain glossy for very long. Probably the most frustrating part of all this is just how good you actually can make the paint look even though it won't last.

The only real fix for all of this, unfortunately, is to repaint the car.

[Dakir]

Re: Oxidation returned overnight?

Well thanks to all who took the time to reply! Sadly repainting is the only option and a costly one at that. Maybe someday.