Today while using some polishing compound to remove a nick on one of my doors, I may have rubbed a bit too hard. When all was said and done (and the nick was out), it left a little lighter color blotch where I was rubbing. It's not the dull effect that using compunds gives you, it's like (my car is DG) this one spot is a few shades lighter DG, noticeable from 5 ft away or so...

So my question is, what did I do, and of course how do I fix it (I have the touchup paint "pen". I used Z2 to get the luster back, but the light spot is still there...

Thanks, and apologies, I don't have anyway to hook my camera up to my comp right now.

 

I am guessing you may have went a little too far and burned the paint. What kind of machine were you using? If in fact you burned the paint, there isn't much you can do, especially with metallic paint. Cheapest solution would be to maske off the area, apply touch up paint, then wet sand with 2000 grit and then compound and polish out. You will probably still be able to see where you touched the area up, but it may be less noticeable to people who don't know it's there.

How about some pics?

 

No machine, just my finger. I've used this compound before, and have never had this happen, and I didn't think I went harder or longer rubbing. Can't get pics up right now, no way to get them from the media card to the comp. It looks like I spilled some bleach about the size of a dime on the car. You can still see metallic and the DG color, it's just lighter. Do you still I burnt it? Thanks

 

apply lesser pressure next time... but you can follow it w/ a polish that's less abrasive and non filling. just keep working on it to get the gloss back. you should be good.

 

This is the part that I don't understand... The gloss is back, but the light spot is still there (just as glossy as the regular color paint...) Any other thoughts?

 

minor marring on the surface. take a strong light or the sun... but it sounds like "haze" on your paint which a finer polish should be able to get out. The gloss may be there but it's not back to the point where it was.

 

Apply five coats of wax and tell us if you can still see the imperfection. If you can....UH OH.

 

So a polishing compound instead of a rubbing compound?

 

Alright, well I applied some touch up paint, and then went to wet sand for blending. I did this very gently, and this is what I came up with.

Pretty sure the light spot is primer, so I definitely went too hard before...

Anyway, I'm thinking take my touchup paint to a professional and let them try their best. Any other options?

Thanks all!

 

wow... what product did you use? definitely went too far.

 

The can says "#7 Rubbing Compound". It comes in a green and white tin type container, and looks like dijon mustard. The mark is to the right and a little above the rear passenger side door, slightly under the window. I'm thinking the paint wasn't too thick at that point, but either way, what do you think my options are?

Oh and how did that chip come out Frizzle?

 

Ah... yeah stay away from that. When working on scratches use the least abrasive, see the results, and work up to more abrasive if needed. The haven't had time to work on my chips yet... been busy detailing other cars. But get a good polish. 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound I would strongly recommend rather than the stuff you were using.

I'm pretty sure that needs to be repainted... not sure a brush on touch up paint would look right or even the touch up pen.

 

Instead of rubbing compound next time, try a real fine grain sand paper. Keep it REAL wet and GENTLY rub. I learned this trick from a local body shop, for removing scratches. 2000 grain or grit was recommended. Don't try this on plastic surfaces. Of course you still need to apply polish and/or wax.