Acid Rain Damage in 2 Weeks

phareous · 08-19-03, 08:55

I bought my car exactly two weeks ago. And it already has acid rain damage on the roof and on the trunk lid. This is a 2003 Honda Accord...I know Honda has crappy paint but I figured it would be better than this. The dealer had put on some kind of stuff to protect (guaranteed they said) but it obviously did not work. Since it is guaranteed I guess I could get them to buff it out but I tried myself using a PC w/ Light Cut, Medium Cut, DACP, and Diamond Cut and likewise with a rotary and it didn't help (I only went a few passes over it with each product).

I'm in South Carolina and it seems to have been raining almost every day now since I bought the car...

Oh well...acid rain sucks

Bill D · 08-19-03, 09:05

I don't have any expereince with Diamond Cut but isn't the strongest stuff Meg's makes? Maybe switch to a 3m RC. I think super duty RC would be too strong because I had to use very gingerly by hand. You can actually see and feel the abrasives in it. But maybe for you a lighter cut 3m RC? Also, maybe something you used already with a wool pad?
I know I had to use the wool pad to even make a dent in some of the imperfections I worked on with the PC.

Please let us know if you make any progress.

phareous · 08-19-03, 09:15

I was doing everything on the PC with the CMA orange pad and on the rotary with the yellow pad. I haven't ever used wool before so no idea if that would help me or not.

I might just try it on the PC and see what happens. What do you recommend...and should I buy something else? I have:
Meguiars DACP
Meguiars Diamond Cut
Hi-Temp Light Cut
Hi-Temp Heavy Cut
I got Poorboy's SSR1, SSR2, and SSR3 on order.
I also have Meguiar's ScratchX but never had much luck with it.

Seems like I could go two routes...step up the agressiveness on the pc or rotary, and target the spots with something made for hand use.

I wonder which 3m to use? I see:
3M Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound
3M Perfect-It III Compound
3M Perfect It III Extra Cut Rubbing Compound
3M Super Duty Compound

I am curious about the 3m stuff a

Bill D · 08-19-03, 09:32

I have the perfect It II RC, when used with a wool pad and the PC it will dust all over the place but will leave a nice shine if it doesn't get rid of the marks. I'm unfamilar with the PI III RC's and I know the Super Duty is very strong, even by hand, feels gritty.

But if you have a rotary, I'm unsure what further progress you can make. I have a friend who had to have his car wet sanded to remove acid rain marks and there are still some traces left. The detailer offered to buff the rest out but my friend wanted to preserve the shine of the paint so he lives with the very few remaining.

Only other thing I can think of is perhaps covering up the rain marks with a glaze, the 3m line comes to mind again. Although it is only really "make up" for your car and will wear away sooner or later, it can enhance the appearanceof the paint and hide the imperfections.

Best of luck getting rid of those marks. I have a new car too and I am anticipating all kinds of paint issues sooner or later. Getting my arsenal ready and looking forward to learning more and improving my polishing techniques.

Let me know how you make out.

Bill D · 08-19-03, 09:35

BTW,

Did you clay the car? The Clay Magic line comes to mind, maybe even the stronger red clay in your case might be of help. Maybe you could try this first then use the polishes or RC's next.

phareous · 08-19-03, 10:25

Yep I clayed it...I had zaino, top of the line, and pinnacle and I just grabbed the tol. But looking at it at an angle I do think it has etched into the paint in which case clay won't help (I also tried some vinegar-based water spot remover, and pinnacle paint cleansing).

I just ordered some wool pads and also a few of the 3m products (couldn't find III anywhere easily so I got 3m Perfiect It Rubbing Compound in a vial for hand use and 3M Perfect It II Rubbing Compund, Fine Cut).

Bill D · 08-19-03, 10:30

PI II FC is what I have. When used with a PC and wool pad it will dust up all over. I wouldn't be surprised if you have to make several passes with it.

But you have the rotary, so maybe you can the best results with it and maybe not even need a wool pad. I would try with the PC first, then the rotary. Sounds like you now have all the chemicals and the tools you need for the job.

At any rate, good luck, hope you can get rid of those acid rain marks.