Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

[IH8BKNUP]

Hello,
I own a dump truck and in March 2011 had it professionally painted. The other day I was getting loaded with small driveway rock and runny dirt/mud spilled (out of the loader) on to the side of my metallic pewter/grey paint.
WELL!! I washed it off but it seems like the mud ATE my paint. I have permanent runs down my boxes. I was told to use MEG rubbing compound. So I ran out and bought some... used a real cloth baby diaper to try and buff these runs out. Yes it hand buffed out BUT it also took some paint as well. Now Im confused and mad. Please any advice will be very appreciated!!! I only did a test area due to the paint being removed and the scratchy swirly marks being left behind.
thanks for your time joanna

[Murr1525]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

Is there any chance of some pics?

[IH8BKNUP]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

I have one but unsure how to post in on here....

[IH8BKNUP]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

[the other pc]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

... Yes it hand buffed out BUT it also took some paint as well...

When you say it took some paint, do you mean that you see paint color transferred onto the polishing cloth? Or that there are noticeable areas of paint missing from the truck?

The first is completely normal if you have single stage paint (i.e. paint that doesn't have a clear top coat).

The latter would mean something isn't right.



pc

[wifpd4]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

Yes, please describe it just a little more.

You must have the vehicle very clean before attempting any paint correction. You mentioned driveway rock, which often is limestone and it often contains very fine dust. Abrasive dust. Clean the vehicle with an automotive soap and do so carefully and thoroughly.

I would suggest not using a cloth diaper. The cloth may cause some surface marring. Microfiber cloths and perhaps use a foam applicator for the Meguiar's product.

First, though, provide the information "PC" requested and a couple more photographs and many folks will offer some useful advice before you begin the actual work on this project.

[IH8BKNUP]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

Thanks for the replies. Im having a hard time getting a good pictures because of the reflections and the glare. It is a single stage paint. I couldnt afford the $250 a gallon -needed buying 6 gallons.
anyways, I figured cloth diapers were the closest to the "softness" needed but maybe that's the mother side of me. Figuring it wouldnt scratch the paint.
I took on these steps:
#1 I washed the area you see above in the picture. 2 times!!! with Meguires wash, dried it.
#2 Used a small amount of MG rub/compound in a small circle, testing a small area
#3 not allowing it to dry wiped off the small circle- stood back and said- What the...? because it had small whisper scratches in a circle and NOW you can see that the paint is LIGHTER, in that small circle. as to say; it took the paint away...
At times I do haul limestone but this particular quarry does not have that in the ground and had very little processing in the type of rock I hauled that day. I also asked.
I thank you for your advice in this matter. This picture is not the only place the runs are. I have them all over my trailer also. AND YES IM EXTREMELY PISSED OFF ABOUT IT!!! Just unsure HOW NOT TO RUIN THE REST OF MY PAINT...
This IS automotive paint shouldnt it withstand dirt/mud/and the elements??? Can I have a clear coat sprayed over this?? I spent alot of $$ on this and its a little to soon for it to look like poop!
Thanks J

[IH8BKNUP]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

ITS ALSO METALLIC-IF THAT MATTERS...which Im sure it does

[Mr.clean115]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

I know this is irrelevant but what kind of dump truck is it? Cause my father owns a trucking company and dump trucks are my life

[IH8BKNUP]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

I posted one pic in the gallery. I tried other pics but the files are to big...

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

I posted one pic in the gallery. I tried other pics but the files are to big...

Hi IH8BKNUP,

I deleted your last two replies for a few reasons, one we ask new users to reach 30 posts before posting hyperlinks, and two, the image links were either too large or broken.

Please take a look at THIS to see how to re-size an image, and THIS to see how to host and post an image on MOL.

Thanks!

[the other pc]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

Joanna,

What concerns me is that it’s metallic single stage. That’s kind of an odd bird and may not behave like a solid color single stage or a clear coated metallic. Contact your painter and find out if your particular paint even can be buffed.

If he can’t give you a definitive answer, find out what specific paint he used and contact the manufacturer. You’ll need to know the manufacturer and the exact product name. It will be something like “Acme paint Co., Superdupergloss XXX” and should have a part number.

They’ll also be able to tell you if clear can be applied over the top of it or not.

If the product is designed to be buffed, it could be that it’s just very soft or that it hasn’t fully cured yet. You could try a less aggressive technique. Using a foam applicator would be less aggressive with the Meg’s Rubbing Compound you tried. Meg’s Polishing Compound, SwirlX or ScratchX 2.0 are less aggressive chemicals.



pc

[IH8BKNUP]

Re: Help! Neeeeed pro advice!!

PC,
Thanks for you advice. I will do what youve noted and go from there. Its so heartbreaking after all the time and money that was spent, then a few days on the job....BAM!!
Buffing those two boxes out will take forevvvvver!! Ill let you know how it goes. Thanks again, j