Little pits in the paint

SCutchins · 11-06-07, 10:16

A guy has a 4 year old Lexus IS. There are these tiny little pits on all of the horizontal surfaces, like little pin holes.

The previous owner lived by an auto body shop. On the trunk there was what appeared to be overspray, although the car was never repainted. I inspected the paint very closely and it wasn't repainted, if it was its the best job I have ever seen.

My guess is that contaminants in the air settled onto the paint and ate into it. In the spring he wants me to do a full paint correction (he had me do a light detail recently but that was only a single pass with 106) but I'm not so sure I can get these out as deep as they seem.

Anyone ever seen this? If I do try, its probably wool with Menzerna PG, but I wonder if wet sanding is the only way.

BigJimZ28 · 11-06-07, 10:21

did you try clay?

SCutchins · 11-06-07, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

did you try clay?

These are pits IN the paint, not on it, so clay won't help.

The package that the guy bought included wash, clay, polish (106ff), Z-AIO, and Z-8. 106 didn't touch these pits.

I did a spot test with IP and then FP with white pads and the rotary and they didn't touch them either.

BigJimZ28 · 11-06-07, 10:37

I think you should try it
what do you have to loose 3 min. for a test spot?

maybe it is just my eyes but I can't always tell if the problem is above or below the paint
and you should be using clay for the overspray on the trunk anyway so just give it a shot

SCutchins · 11-06-07, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCutchins

These are pits IN the paint, not on it, so clay won't help.

The package that the guy bought included wash, clay, polish (106ff), Z-AIO, and Z-8. 106 didn't touch these pits.

I did a spot test with IP and then FP with white pads and the rotary and they didn't touch them either.

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I already did the car with the above package that included claying (as all my polish jobs do), but he wants to come back in the spring for a more thorough polishing. So his entire car was clayed... and polished with 106.... and polished with Z-AIO on a DA.... and none of those touched the pits so obviously claying again won't help.

I want to know if anyone has ever seen these pits, and how deep they can possibly go so I know (a) a plan of attack, and (b) if a plan of attack is even feasible or should I just minimize the pits versus attempting to remove them if they can get deep enough to go through the clear.

BigJimZ28 · 11-06-07, 11:16

Sorry I missed that my bad

wannafbody · 11-06-07, 11:49

might be acid rain pitting

SCutchins · 11-06-07, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannafbody

might be acid rain pitting

Initially I thought that was it, or just horrible water spots, but after a light polish it looks more like little pin marks than larger water spots. In the right light and angle it looks pretty horrible, I feel bad for the guy, but I'm just not sure how aggressive he is willing to go to get it to look perfect (or if it ever can.)

.VorteX. · 11-06-07, 02:28

Pits from rocks maybe... TINY chips

the other pc · 11-06-07, 03:03

Whether they’re tiny rock chips or localized chemical etching, pits tend to be much deeper than swirls.

You can do a test spot, working more aggressively than you have so far, but don’t overdo it. If they’re too deep you can’t remove them without compromising the finish. At that point it’s better to just leave them alone.

PC.

SCutchins · 11-06-07, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by the other pc

Whether they’re tiny rock chips or localized chemical etching, pits tend to be much deeper than swirls.

You can do a test spot, working more aggressively than you have so far, but don’t overdo it. If they’re too deep you can’t remove them without compromising the finish. At that point it’s better to just leave them alone.

PC.

After IP and FP didn't make a dent, I have a feeling that I'm just going to have to tell him that the pits are there to stay. I think he will still want me to buff the car, but I will have to make it clear that those pits are just too deep. Luckily he was thrilled with the work I did, he even had me do his wife's car after he saw his, I just hate to have to be the one to tell him that his car will never look flawless.