Removing light etching with PC is it possible?

[RedlineIRL]

Is it possible to remove light water and bird crap etching with a PC without using too agressive of products? I'd like to remove a few small etchings but don't want to get agressivve on the rest of the area. Any suggestions on the best route for this?

[Puckman]

Maybe, it depends on how deep they are. The best approach in my opinion would be to use 4" pads if you have any. What polishes/light compounds do you have? Also, make, model and color?

[wannafbody]

You really need a rotary and compound to remove etching. Now a PC can round the edges off a bit making it less noticable.

[Accumulator]

Yeah, the best I've done by PC is rounding the edges over.

I'd consider a *light* wetsanding with Meguiar's/Nikken unigrit (2K or 2,500 grit) and then correct the sanding scratches with the PC/4". IMO that approach would be more likely to both reduce the etching while removing the least clearcoat, *BUT* you have to know when to say "enough" with the wetsanding, and I wouldn't do much.

IMO/IME it can be easier to do this sort of thing in a controlled manner with the sandpaper than with a polisher.

FWIW, I have etching on most (all?) of my vehicles that I just live with because I don't want to thin the paint enough to fix it.

[SoCalB6]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Yeah, the best I've done by PC is rounding the edges over.

I'd consider a *light* wetsanding with Meguiar's/Nikken unigrit (2K or 2,500 grit) and then correct the sanding scratches with the PC/4". IMO that approach would be more likely to both reduce the etching while removing the least clearcoat, *BUT* you have to know when to say "enough" with the wetsanding, and I wouldn't do much.

IMO/IME it can be easier to do this sort of thing in a controlled manner with the sandpaper than with a polisher.

FWIW, I have etching on most (all?) of my vehicles that I just live with because I don't want to thin the paint enough to fix it.

+1. Mine all get driven and aren't in any concourse shows so...

They are all swirl free and protected, but if the etching is too deep then oh well; I'd rather have some etching in the CC than a failing CC that too thin. You just got to catch bird bombs quick and do your best against hard water & rain.

[wfedwar]

Etching is a pain with a PC, but if it's light, you can do it. I have always had to use a hevy compound (e.g., 3m EC) and an orange or yellow pad. Even then, it may take a couple of passes. You'll need 2 more stages to get out all the haze. It's a huge pain and may not be worth it to you. Obviously, it's possible some of your etching is too deep to correct with ANYTHING, since it can go to the primer. FWIW, I've found that waxes (specifically Collinite) are better at both hiding and preventing water spots on my cars. Zaino seemed to be the worst at both.