Last fall I decided to use the turtle wax black box. Before I did it, I wanted to get the swirls out of my paint so I used a buffer and a used the rubbing compound on my entire car hoping it would just get the swirls out and my car would look great after the wax. Well, my paint turned from shiny to dull after i did it. Now, I'm not sure what to do. The whole car really needs repainted anyways because there are so many blemishes here and there and my hood looks like it has acne. Any suggestions? Thought about taking it to an auto detailer to see if they can make it shine again but didn't know if it would help if I did indeed rub the clear coat off.

 

Find a place with a paint meter and have them check the thickness. Detailer, major dealership, even Carmax can do it.

 

You should have paid a pro to do it, would have saved you money in the long run...

 

I agree^.
You obviously used a very coarse compound, and the finish could most likely still be saved by a pro. If you removed clear you would see spots that look like a different shade, or burn spots.
What did you use?....Orbital, or a professional buffer?

 

I used a Craftsman buffer and Turtlewax rubbing compound





Here's a pic of my Z. You can tell it doesn't look as shiny as it used to, it's more dull.



I hope to get a body kit and repaint the car anyways in the next two years just not right now. I'm waiting to get into a house so I can park my car inside a garage and save it from the sun.

 

Rubbing compound will take off the clear coat. Polishing compound is safe for clear coats.

 

Rubbing compound is basically sand paper in a can haha. You gotta know what you're doing big time messing with that stuff. Especially if you're using a buffer.

 

Any suggestions on how to fix this? Thinking about taking it to a professional detailer. Maybe I should just wait since I plan on doing a full repaint anyways. All suggestions are welcome.

 

Unless you saw black paint on your polishing pads yo ur clear is still there and can maybe be saved by a professional detailer. It's possible it's just marred and scratched up and that's why it's so dull.

 

Lol, rubbing compound.

 

If you took off the clear, which it sounds like you did, no you cannot fix it unless you get the car repainted or at least recleared.

Lesson hopefully learned. Make sure you research before doing something so risky next time.

When I bought my orbital I did so much research before I used it. I even first used it on my B13 to practice before using it on my Z. It is very simple if you follow instructions.

 

right now i have halos.... luckily for me a guy i work with does detailing on the side and for a case of beer and me buying all the supplies, he is going to do paint correction on my car. he said normailly he charges $500 for it.

 

I would suggest investing in a good quality dual action buffer like a Porter Cable, Griots's Garage or Meguairs buffer. Then get some good quality polish and and see what kind of results you can get. I doubt the clear coat would have been removed using that Craftsman buffer. It is simply not powerful enough. I think your rubbing compound left lots of tiny scratches in your paint and that has dulled the finish. Polishing those out might get your car shiny again.

But before doing anything, look at the videos online and see how to use the equipment you purchase. Videos can be found here:

www.adamspolishes.com
www.meguairsonline.com

 

start here.... www.detailedimage.com.... there are alot of how to's and even an ask the expert section

 

You cleaned it with the rubbing compound, now go back and polish it.

 

Just a suggestion.

I don't use anything other than Adam's Polishes products.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-videos.aspx

They have a very good customer support. It wouldn't hurt to give them a call and get some suggestions from them on how to salvage, repair or hopefully return the factory shine.

I also use the Porter Cable polisher on all my cars...

 

I have heard great things about Adam's

Personally, I think the best companies that are available at retail stores are Mother's and Meguiar's and for the special stuff, I swear by Chemical Guys.

Been using Chemical Guys for about 2 years now and their product is superior to everything else I have seen.

I also just purchased a Griot's Garage orbital since my current one broke. I was on the fence between Port Cable and Griot's but in the end went with the Griot's due to seeing a lot of reviews of people who have owned both and side with GG. The 25ft cable is a huge plus also. Can't wait to use it!

 

Another vote for the Griots. My wife got me one for Christmas, and it's awesome.

 

I have the 6" Griot's DA buffer and the 3" Griot's DA buffer. Both together do an outstanding job on my cars.

 

I'm starting to think I didn't buff off my clear coat I just made it really dull. As you can see from the pictures below, photos I just took today after washing it, that it still has a glossy tone but also looks dull especially in the second photo on the hood and bumper. I think I should take everyones advice and just let a professional handle it and take it to a detailer.