Once invisible paint repair now visible again?

T

tango

New member
I recently "fixed" a section of my car door where a snow ski had glanced against the paint as it fell down. The scracthes weren't to metal or primer, but were deeper than just a rubbing compound could get out.



So I first wet-sanded the area with 2000 grit, then used 3M rubbing compund and SMR to bring back the shine, then waxed. Looked great. Now a couple weeks and car washes later, the wax is wearing off and I am seeing the scratches from the sand paper again? Is the gloss/shine resulting from the rubbing compund/SMR over a sanded area only temporary? Does this mean that after doing this type of repair, that unless the car had a fresh coat of wax or some other filler, that the scratch marks will be visible?
 
The SMR fillers washed out and left what you see now. The 3M RC might have lightened the sanding scratches a little then you did the SMr and the fillers in SMR filled in those sanding marks.



I would try some 3M Fine Cut or possible medium cut compound by hand and see if you can make those marks out. Really work in the compound with medium to heavy pressure, lightening pressure as the compound begins to haze or powder. Then follow up with something like 3M Perfect It III Machine Glaze. The 3M PI III Machine Glaze removes swirls and haze left behind by 3M RC but doesn't have any fillers, so what you see if what you get. You can also try 3M SMR since you have it, but spray down the area you are working on with a 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol to water (remember most alcohol is 70%, so dilute it accordingly to get the 50/50 ratio.) This will remove the fillers left by 3M SMR.



Jason
 
Jason thanks for your suggestions. I was under the mistaken impression the the 3M SMR didn't contain fillers. I'll try it again with some more rubbing compound as you suggested.
 
Keep in mind that with rubbing compound you are removing paint. It can be a very fine line between shiny paint and no paint.

Don't ask me how I know.:o



Charles
 
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