Clear Coat Haze

[rah140]

I have a 2013 Hond Accord and I attempted to repair a nick on the rear bumper. After I applied the touch up paint, I used 2000 grit sandpaper to level of the paint. I accidentially sanded some of the surronding area and there is a dull finish on the clear coat. I used scratchX to to try to polish the area and it is better, but it is still slightly dull. I do not have a buffer and if I did have one, I probably wouldn't be able to use it because it is in a tight area.

How can I get the finish to match the rest of the car?


Did I sand too far and is the clear coat now too thin?


Can apply Ultimate Polish by hand to fix the dull clear coat?


Thank you for your help

[drumdan]

Ultimate Compound might be better suited to remove those particular defects.

[rah140]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

I don't want to go too aggressive because I am worried the clear coat is already thin in that area

[C8N]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

It's a 2013 and you are worried that the clear is too thin? If paint is original and you haven't done anything to it other than what you mentioned, I would like to think it would be ok.

[rah140]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

Yes, I am worried about the clear coat too thin, because I already sanded with 2000 grit paper

[drumdan]

I hear ya. It's up to you. Both Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish are corrective products. If you don't mind spending the additional time and effort involved, Ultimate Polish might be the right option for you.

[rah140]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

I just tried ultimate compound and that didn't work either

[Selectchoice]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

What did you use to apply the Ultimate Compound with? How much downward pressure did you use? How long did you rub it into the paint? Ultimate Compound should be able to handle the job, but the other factors I've asked here can make a difference to its effectiveness.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

I just tried ultimate compound and that didn't work either

It will work. Your not using enough pressure. Your not going to break through the CC.
Do even think about that.
Rub and buff untill it shines.

[rah140]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

I rubed the spot for about 15 minutes and there was no change.

[rah140]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

It will work. Your not using enough pressure. Your not going to break through the CC.
Do even think about that.
Rub and buff untill it shines.

I rubbed the spot for 15 minutes and there was no change

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

It will work. Your not using enough pressure. Your not going to break through the CC.
Do even think about that.
Rub and buff untill it shines.

Yep, listen to Mario. Ultimate Compound will not break through the clear coat. Unless you were super aggressive with the sanding, you factory clear coat is fine. The dull haze you are seeing are sanding marks, and you need to compound the marks to get your gloss back. If you are still in doubt, contact a detailer in your area and explain your situation. A detailer experienced with color sanding might even do a little more sanding with 3000/5000 grit to smooth out your 2000 grit marks. It shouldn't run much more than $50 to pull those sanding marks out. But it's a small price for peace of mind, right?

[Detailing by M]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

I rubbed the spot for 15 minutes and there was no change

I can't believe this statement.
either you used a wax or didn't apply any pressure while you did this.
A compound is essentially "liquid" sandpaper to the 7,000 grit.
Rubbing paint with any compound will give results. You stating that nothing happened is impossible.
We need to see pictures to really diagnose your problem.

[rah140]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

I can't believe this statement.
either you used a wax or didn't apply any pressure while you did this.
A compound is essentially "liquid" sandpaper to the 7,000 grit.
Rubbing paint with any compound will give results. You stating that nothing happened is impossible.
We need to see pictures to really diagnose your problem.

Ok, I tried again and the hazed area is getting larger. I think it through the clear coat now. I guess I have to get the bumper repainted now and from my experience it never comes out as good as the factory paint.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Clear Coat Haze

If the haze is increasing then your defiantly doing it wrong and with the wrong product. Haze is micro marring and not CC breakthrough.
Also bumper paint is different from the rest of your car. It needs to bend and therefore needs to be treated different.
Is you applicator the color of your car? If it is then your through the CC, but I highly doubt that.
You don't need a repaint you need a Professional Detailer.
Again, please post some pictures so we can diagnose this problem correctly.