So, my paint is etched, hardcore. damn new jersey weather (not here by choice). luckily i have a garage now (yay me) even if it is kinda small.

so here's some info, i got an 03 GT, all black. the paint etching is really starting to bug me, most of it from the previous owner, who washed the car all of maybe once... it was so bad when i got it, that it had oil and gas all over it (should have seen the rags from that wash, bleh) -- he was an indian guy workin at a gas station, so i can see why it was covered.

but here's my real problem, i bought a PC 7424, and some optimum compound/polish. attempted to remove the etching, and i really couldnt do anything about it! i even followed some of the video's on youtube, and the stuff from autogeek.net. it did help in certain area's, like the doors and fenders, but the hood, hood scoop, trunk, spoiler, and roof, are all still pretty bad.

i have tried wet sanding, with 2000 grit 3m paper, and it did help ever so slightly, but im afraid if i go any deeper than i am, i may be taking too much clear off.

so im wondering if anyone has any ideas on what my next step should be, besides repainting (not in the budget at the moment)

 

can you post pictures of the bad spots you are talking about? that would help a lot.

 

ill see what i can do, my camera is teh suck, and i dont really have a good light to show it...

 

this is best i could get, i need better lighting i know, i'll try and get one of hood scoop, i have a lil better lighting at front of garage...




the actual etchings im talking about -- if you look at the 2nd picture where the reflection of the light is, you actually see the odd shaped indents from water droplets. they are all over the top parts of the car.

as i've said, i've used the PC and optimum compound/polish, AND tried wet sanding, but im not sure if i should wetsand further as i dont want to go any further.

EDIT:: would just like to add that today, tuesday, Nov 17th will be my last day to view this thread, until mid december, as im leaving on a trip.

 

bump -- havent been able to find a solution to this yet. i've tried wet sanding slightly -- not sure how much is too much to take off of the clear??? i use 2000 grit 3m paper, with a 3m rubber block i got from wal-mart. followed up by turtle wax heavy compound, optimum compound, and then polish. i havent noticed too much of an improvement, although some of the minor imperfections have definately come out, the major ones still need work, im afraid of going too deep into the clear, is there any indication or limit to know how far not to go?

what i have been doing is sanding until its greyish in color, which seems to be fine, but i noticed that in some spots i can still see deep oxidation even after sanding -- they show up as shiny spots (as the sand paper doesnt contact them) -- im considering stepping up the grit to 1500 or even 1200 to maybe go deeper but i wanted to get some more info before i continue..

help is appreciated. thanks!

EDIT: linked is a picture i found of what it looks like when i wet sand. i havent gone any farther than the "partially" sanded picture.

 

time for new paint imo