There was a long scratch on the rear quarter panel and it didn't go through the paint, so I decided to use rubbing compound to buff it out. I always knew not to apply significant pressure when using this because it could mess up the paint. So I went "light" to my standards and I guess the Z has extremely thin paint. It caused this blemish you can see here:



I spoke to one detailing guru at a local Z meet and he assured that the damage isn't permanent and he mentioned a few steps to get it out. He said because the orange peel is still visible in that area that the paint is saved and damage can be reversed. I forgot what he told me to do though.

Then I figured I'd go to a detailing shop by me and have them do it. They said it can easily be fixed too, and is charging me $50 for it, which I think is excessive especially since he said it would only take 10-15 minutes.

So, with everyone's help here, I'd like to do it myself. What should I use, and what's the process? Thanks in advance

 

That's totally normal, that's what compound does. Now you need to do it with a finer polishing compound then a swirl/scratch remover. That will restore the normal shine.

If you don't have the tools (ROB, polishes, etc.) or the expertise (already demonstrated above) then $50 is cheap. Pay him and be done with it.

 

Yep absolutely normal and fine rest assured - check out the Ask-A-Pro Blog at Detailed-Image.com and you'll find all you ever needed to know.

Paint correction - just like any time of refinishing requires starting out coarse (no more than you need however) and going finer and finer until you have a nicely finished down paint.

 

Agree.

Not certain if clear coat is gone or not. Hate to use this analogy but working with paint is like working with wood:

a. Begin with least aggressive grit.
b. Use more aggressive grit until defect is removed.
c. Then work down in steps to least aggressive grit.

You may get to a point where elbow grease (hand polishing) is no longer suitable. You have to move up to a random oscillating machine. I think you are at that point.

 

thanks all. Can I start off with polish and a microfiber initially?

It's definitely a learning experience. So I take it that I didn't mess anything up, but rather I just didn't finish the process?

 

Black paint is a learning experience. Beautiful color. Requires delicate skills to care for.

 

fixed (ended up polishing it out with a microfiber):



Thanks all

 

...

 

50 bucks seems excessive to you to have a professional cut and buff a owner damaged area of your black car? One that may have gone past the clear coat? one that has non linear swirls?

Youre kidding right..

from the looks of the condition of the rest of your paint ( polish starved and totally dried out) Id take the whole car in for a full compounding by a body shop, prob run you 250 bucks.

Your paint will thank you and your car wil look brand new.

 

I do think it's excessive to charge $50 for something that he said would take 10 min. Not sure how you can see the rest of the car. There are some scratches but I do a full detail myself (clay, polish and wax) twice a year. Doing it next in the spring. I'm not **** to the extent where every single barely visible scratch needs to be fixed.

 

It usually looks like this:



Just don't have the motivation in the winter for the upkeep. I just to a wash every week or two until spring kicks in.

 

touche.. looks much diff than your initial picture.

ALmost like a diff car.

nah, 50 bucks is pretty on par.

I mean, if i ahd a buddy who did it, theyd surely charge me nothing, or a friend of a friend 25 bucks, but for a business? Yeah 50 is legit. They ahve to mask the taillight and the antennae and use 2 stages of cutting glaze w a foam wheel , and then have to clean up the overspray of it all.. in his mind its 15 minutes, but in reality, hes got 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of clean up too.

 

yea you're right. It would probably end up taking half hour or so with the prep. Who knows, maybe I'll use my friend's heated garage and do a full detail soon . I def. enjoy doing it, but for the winter, I'm happy so long as it just looks clean