Completely Newb Question?

[Cody Cackler]

Hey guys I`m new to the forum and a complete newb when it comes to detailing. I own a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I`m trying to detail. I have a dual action polisher various cutting and polishing pads, Megs UC and UP.


Question is I`m fixing to start attempting to clean up the paint and got it all washed and clayed and noticed that instead of the Swirls and scratches that I had been reading about how to remove my paint had more of tiny little spots all over the clear coat.


From the pictures can you tell what it is and if I can take it out with a DA polisher?

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z72/codyc_13/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpg (`http://s189.photobucket.com/user/codyc_13/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpg.html`)
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z72/codyc_13/Mobile%20Uploads/image-2.jpg (`http://s189.photobucket.com/user/codyc_13/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-2.jpg.html`)
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z72/codyc_13/Mobile%20Uploads/image-1.jpg (`http://s189.photobucket.com/user/codyc_13/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-1.jpg.html`)

[Cody Cackler]

2nd and 3rd picture doesn`t show it very well but you can see what I`m taking about right where my head is in the first picture.


Thanks in advance.

[Richard Grasa]

Really need some better pics where the defects are more in focus, can`t really see what`s going on there. `If you`re using a point and shoot camera, sometimes putting your fingertip on the paint and letting the camera focus on your finger will help, or something else that will contrast with the paint like a piece of light colored masking tape the camera can focus on. `


`


I don`t want to jump to a conclusion without better pics but from what I can see it looks like there`s checking (sometimes called crows feet) in the paint, but hard to tell from those pics. `If that`s the case, the only fix is a repaint. `Exactly what panels are these spots on? `Only the hood or everywhere?

[Cody Cackler]

I will try to get better pics tomorrow, I will also check the rest of the vehicle as I`m not sure how widespread the problem is.


As for the crows feet, I don`t believe that is the problem. It looks more like something on top of the clearcoat. (My old Honda had crows feet) and this looks different. Kind of like there is some kind of stain or something on the clearcoat.

[Nth Degree]

Looks like just ordinary hard water spotting that is layered and likely some staining into the top layer of clear, which isn`t all that uncommon, just not always noticeable on dark colors. `Only way to know for sure if polishing will remove it is to try. `Start with a mild combo and work up as needed. `Start with a test spot before attempting to do the whole car.

[Cody Cackler]

Thanks, I was thinking it was hard water spotting but I wanted to check before I started messing with it.

[Accumulator]

codyc_13- Welcome to Autopia!


`


I wonder if it might be, at least in part, just contamiantion that needs cleaned off/ out of (as in...out of the pores/microfissures) the paint.


`


I`d start with a thorough decontamination, using ValuGard`s "ABC" system, which is pretty easy to do as it basically just involves doing a series of three washes with the "A", "B", and "C" products (check their website for lots of info).


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If the ABC is simply out of the question (people balk at buying the big jugs of product) I`d at least consider claying it.` But clay is no substitute for chemical decontamination.

[Cody Cackler]

Thanks for the welcome.


I did clay the car and this problem was still there after claying. I do think the particular issue was com kind of water spots on top of the clear, because as soon as I started polishing it went away.


Now I think I have another issue, possible that my clear coat on my hood is beginning to fail because it has these pin size pits all over the hood (rest of the car is fine, just on the hood). Here are some pictures if you guys found give me some insight. Something that will come out, or am I going to have to live with it? Hopefully you can see it in the pictures.


You can see it best right along the reflection of my house.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z72/codyc_13/Mobile%20Uploads/image-3.jpg (`http://s189.photobucket.com/user/codyc_13/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-3.jpg.html`)


http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z72/codyc_13/Mobile%20Uploads/image-4.jpg (`http://s189.photobucket.com/user/codyc_13/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-4.jpg.html`)

[Nth Degree]

You`ll just have to live with those. `They are very common. `Most likely they are simply tiny impact craters but they can also be caused by contamination. `The reason it is most prominent on the hood is because of the constant heating and cooling due to the engine. `Sometimes sanding can reduce them but the risk outweighs the benefit in most cases.

[Dellinger]

Cody-


`


Are you the original owner?

[Cody Cackler]

No, it`s an 04 and I`ve owned it since 06. I`m military and can say that it`s been absolutely neglected at times. I realized awhile back that it was starting to show its age. I needed to do something if I wanted to stop the process that nature was doing to it. The rest of the paint looks decent and I will be able to corrected without a problem.

[Accumulator]

codyc_13- Hey, that new pic is really good, shows the problem quite clearly!` Yikes, those pits are, as you suspected, bad news.


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`The pits might also be "solvent pop" if the hood was repainted at some point.` Honestly, I`m thinking you might oughta just polish it up and live with it until a getting the hood repainted is feasible.