Stubborn Stains...

I'm doing some paint correction on the coupe. There's these stubborn stains on the hood and roof which look to be water marks (maybe etched in?) that I can't remove. I've tried using a clay bar, vinegar with a towel, nothing. Hit it with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound using a PC-7424XP, used an orange pad, nothing. Stepped up to a yellow pad still nothing. How can I get rid of these marks?

Here's a couple of pics showing the marks. Thanks!

https://s20.postimg.cc/rabo8p0j1/spots_in_paint.jpg
https://s20.postimg.cc/gaqgx3pjh/spots_in_paint1.jpg

Water sanding maybe your only option. Unless you use a stronger product like the Menzerna Heavy Cut.

Yeah, what I've been reading wet sanding is my only option for dealing with etched in water spots. Thankfully it's very hard to notice these spots unless you plant your nose to the surface.

Best to leave it alone if you can live with it.

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Originally Posted by True Blue

Yeah, what I've been reading wet sanding is my only option for dealing with etched in water spots. Thankfully it's very hard to notice these spots unless you plant your nose to the surface.

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I can sure live with it as the spots are hardly noticeable. Especially the way the paint looked like before, it's a huge night and day difference. This was my first time using a DA polisher and was extremely pleased with the results. When I get chance, I'll post up a couple of pics.

Thanks for the help!

Not a problem. Look forward to seeing the end product. :thumbsup:

These pics were taken right after I finished polishing it up. They're not the greatest, haven't really had the car outside to take any decent shots yet.

https://s20.postimg.cc/x99quwiot/polished3.jpg
https://s20.postimg.cc/zdu3vzs19/polished.jpg
https://s20.postimg.cc/p3rowqf0d/polished1.jpg
https://s20.postimg.cc/7dq0bp959/polished2.jpg

Wow ! Good job .
How long did it take you?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! Took roughly about 12 hours, taking my time.

Looks amazing. What products did you use for the paint correction other than the Ultimate? What did you end up protecting the paint with in the end? Sealant or wax?

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Originally Posted by Scrape

Looks amazing. What products did you use for the paint correction other than the Ultimate? What did you end up protecting the paint with in the end? Sealant or wax?

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Thanks Lawrence.

Ultimate Compound (orange and yellow pads), Ultimate Polish (white pads), Zaino Z2 (green pads) and Zaino Z8. I've been a loooong time Zaino user, this stuff always yield me excellent results in the past.

Sounds like you have a great combo that works for you. Definitely keep up the fine work.

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Originally Posted by True Blue

Thanks Lawrence.

Ultimate Compound (orange and yellow pads), Ultimate Polish (white pads), Zaino Z2 (green pads) and Zaino Z8. I've been a loooong time Zaino user, this stuff always yield me excellent results in the past.

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Thanks! Heck I'm using what I have in my arsenal. :) Next I'll be working on the Bullitt, thankfully the paint is in excellent condition it wont need any correction. Just a good polish and sealant.

Have you used new vinegar for cleaning? If yes, then I would suggest you do it again with old vinegar. On the other hand, the clay bar wouldn't work effectively here and you should try a paint cleaner with a handy foam pad.

Great work on the paint! No swirls and that colour must glow now

Yup only way is wet sand. I have one on the hood scoop.

The clear has been damaged. It's called Topical Stain Etching, usually caused by bird shit, sap or some chemical. The painted surface appears dulled or just a little off. This is a result of reflected light being interrupted by the now irregular and deformed surface. Compounding and polishing can make these areas pop and more noticeable. Since you are only polishing the upper most raised areas. Some sealants and filler waxes can hide it a bit but it's temporary.

The only way fix it is to wet sand the clear smooth enough that it no longer refracts the light.

Be glad its not Wrinkle Etching, or Fracture Etching. They look like tiny "T"s, "Y"s and "L"s

http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...ngWrinkles.jpg

If you like, you can drop by with a case of beer and we can wet sand it real quick...and when I say "We" I really mean... You sand and I watch while drinking all the beers!! :cheers:

I also heard about white vinegar spray or white vinegar bath. Have you tried it? Mayhap, the application of detailing clay and wax would be effective after vinegar bath.

I already tried using vinegar to remove the spots, resulting in no difference. The etching is hardly noticeable to even bother correcting.

Have you considered using an acid based product to tackle this?
Something like IGL Delete for example?
Do not spray or atomize this product without being properly protected/masked up as needed.

Alternatively, as Laurence suggested wetsand as needed

Thank you for the suggestion. I haven't looked into an acid based product.

Clay Bar and then wax...wet sand only if required (Only works in the clear coat layer)

OP has tried claybar and this is far beyond that unfortunately.

Looks awesome!!!

Thank you! I might take care of the spots in the summer if I have the time. But like I mentioned before, it's hardly noticeable.

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Originally Posted by True Blue

These pics were taken right after I finished polishing it up. They're not the greatest, haven't really had the car outside to take any decent shots yet.

https://s20.postimg.cc/x99quwiot/polished3.jpg
https://s20.postimg.cc/zdu3vzs19/polished.jpg
https://s20.postimg.cc/p3rowqf0d/polished1.jpg
https://s20.postimg.cc/7dq0bp959/polished2.jpg

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Your car is beautiful......that color! Would love to see it in person. I see you are from Woodbridge. My parents live there, martin grove and hwy 7. Do you bring it out?

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Originally Posted by Titanium90

Your car is beautiful......that color! Would love to see it in person. I see you are from Woodbridge. My parents live there, martin grove and hwy 7. Do you bring it out?

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Thank you!

I usually take it out on the weekends, mostly in the mornings when the roads are dead. A couple of my car buddies hit up Texas Pit during the summer. I'll probably make an appearance or two.

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Originally Posted by True Blue

Thank you!

I usually take it out on the weekends, mostly in the mornings when the roads are dead. A couple of my car buddies hit up Texas Pit during the summer. I'll probably make an appearance or two.

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Ah yes. Texas pit. A couple of guys I know re-started this meet at Texas Pit last year. I've been to a couple. will try to go regularly. I hope to see you there. Do you have any other pics you car share of the interior and engine.

I do have more pics but they're on my desktop computer. I'll try and post them up on the weekend.

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Originally Posted by True Blue

I do have more pics but they're on my desktop computer. I'll try and post them up on the weekend.

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Cool. Look forward to it.

I don't have any decent engine bay pics yet, this is the only one worth showing. Engine is completely stock, needs a good detailing.

https://i.postimg.cc/d0dhCsN9/engine-bay.jpg

Interior pics

https://i.postimg.cc/9fGfMxz8/P15-2.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/ZRx0ffSB/shifter.jpg

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Originally Posted by True Blue

I don't have any decent engine bay pics yet, this is the only one worth showing. Engine is completely stock, needs a good detailing.

https://i.postimg.cc/d0dhCsN9/engine-bay.jpg

Interior pics

https://i.postimg.cc/9fGfMxz8/P15-2.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/ZRx0ffSB/shifter.jpg

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Absolutely beautiful!! See, this is what I miss. The simplicity of cars. Today's car's are too complicated. I would love to see this car in person. The reason I am crazy about your car is that a friend of mine had purchased a new 1990 5.0 lx trunk in twilight blue. When I first saw it, I was so intrigued about the color. It's just beautiful on that body.

Modern creature comforts is great and all, but I too also enjoy the simplicity of these cars.

BTW, is your friend named Joe?

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Originally Posted by True Blue

Modern creature comforts is great and all, but I too also enjoy the simplicity of these cars.

BTW, is your friend named Joe?

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I do have a couple of friends named Joe. What's his last name?

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Originally Posted by Titanium90

I do have a couple of friends named Joe. What's his last name?

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Last name I don't know, he's Portuguese owned a Twilight Blue coupe back in the day. Thought maybe it's the same guy.

Damn that blue interior is clean. Dunno how more people don’t like the blue interiors on these cars.

Mine is pretty decent, window tint early on in its life and it would be mint.

Crystal Blue interior is fairly rare.

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Originally Posted by True Blue

Last name I don't know, he's Portuguese owned a Twilight Blue coupe back in the day. Thought maybe it's the same guy.

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The guy I know that bought his twilight blue '90 new was Italian. His name was Italo Zeppieri.

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Originally Posted by Titanium90

The guy I know that bought his twilight blue '90 new was Italian. His name was Italo Zeppieri.

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Do you still keep in contact with your friend? Small world, I know the Zeppieri family. Just curious if he is related to Remo, Danny and Jerry. Back in the day Remo had a Grand National.

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Originally Posted by True Blue

Do you still keep in contact with your friend? Small world, I know the Zeppieri family. Just curious if he is related to Remo, Danny and Jerry. Back in the day Remo had a Grand National.

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I haven't seen him for the longest time until last summer when he came by the foxbody hangout on friday nights on hwy 7 and goreway. I'm not sure of the other people that he is related to. I recall that he had a cousin he had referred to as Sante. He had a '93 mustang gt and a c5 vette. Ah......the grand national. My best friend Rick had a grand national. I also had one. Now my younger brother has it.