Hristo34

Hi all,

Wondering if I could get a little advice. I purchased a black 2008 Z06 in October of 2011 from a dealership. It was professionally detailed before I got it. I park under a floresent light in my garage and I later noticed that there was a bit of what I can only describe as a dull streak in a small part of the paint, on the driver side of the hood. I didn't think too much of it as under normal lighting it wasn't visible, and I was having too much fun just driving.

This past winter I thought I would learn more about detailing and cleaning. I got a griots polisher and a variety of meguiars polish and waxes etc. I washed, did the clay bar, and polished, but I'm stuck at that point. The whole car turned out great, except for the spot on the hood. I moved up to a medium compound, but it didn't do anything. I'm now wondering if I should move up to a heavy compound, or quit while I'm ahead. I don't want to damage the paint.

It's difficult to describe the streak. It doesn't have ridges, so I don't think its scratched. It feels as smooth as the rest of the paint. I'll try to get a descent picture, but I have to get the listing right. Any thoughts?

LS9Drew

What compound have you used? Maybe step up to HD Cut on a Microfiber Cutting Pad or M101/M105 on a Microfiber Cutting pad.

How long are you working it? Are you moving real fast?

Hristo34

I've used ultimate polish, swirl remover 2.0, and medium cut cleaner. I've been doing the recommended 6 over lapping passes. Not sure if I am going fast or not, as I'm pretty new to this. I tried to follow the direction provided by the video that came with the polisher. Should I spend more time on the spot? I'm a bit nervous about damaging the paint. I may step up to the heavy compound, but again, I don't want to go too far.

Maligator

a picture would help us see what is actually happening; there could be a possibility the clear coat is "burned" in that area from the dealer using too fast of a speed, not enough compound, stupidity, etc.........

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

Could it be a blemish under the clearcoat ??? Was this area repainted or repaired ??? Its hard to say, but you can always have a professional detailer in your area give you a free review to see if it can be polished out.

Hristo34

Ok, here is the best pic I could get with my cell phone. Hopefully someone has an idea of what it is. I like doing stuff myself, so I'm hoping I don't need to take it into a shop! Thanks for the assistance so far.

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

It looks like something stained or etched the top coat and left those streaks. I would first use a chemical based paint cleanser to see if its mineral based. If not, then move to polishing by machine and see if you can remove it. The only other choice would be wet-sanding the area.

Hristo34

If it is not a mineral based stain, do you think I should move on to a heavier polish compound, or keep working at it slowly with the medium compound I've been using? I'm not afraid to try wet sanding, but I haven't done it before.

Dave1

You're going to need a real professional, not a dealership detailer to fix that chafe mark in your clear coat.....

If you lived close to me, I'd hit it with some Meguiar's 105 UC compound with an orange LC pad on a Flex polisher to see if it made any difference...

If that helped some, good.....

If it didn't, a light wet sand would be next followed up with more 105 and then a finishing polish with a milder pad to bring back the shine....

Get with a corvette car club in your area and ask them who they trust to detail their cars and start from there. This isn't that big of a problem and could/ should be able fixed in a matter of minutes.....

Good luck.....

Dave1

I would recommend not wet sanding it yourself unless you have the proper pads and polishes to restore the surface after you sand down the clear coat. It's very easy to sand thru on the edges and corners and if you don't have any practice with that task, I'd leave it up to someone that has....

Dave1

Question:

When you run you hand across it, can you feel it.....?

Is it a raised surface abrasion or, is it underneath the clear coat.....?

Hristo34

When I run my fingers over it I can't feel a thing, its very smooth. If I didn't see it under the light I wouldn't know it was there.

I appreciate the offer, but the commute might be a bit long I'm using a Griots 6" random orbital. If I can't get this sorted out, I'll definitely hit someone up in the local club.

Dave1

Interesting......

It almost looks like something was placed on your car and dragged off with the straight line pattern....

That should be a surface fix...

Oh well, it's a small area and your local corvette club will know who to get a hold of to deal with the correction.....

Good luck and post some pictures when you get it cleared up.....