r/AutoDetailing • u/watisdezetings • 2d ago

Exterior Clear Coat Etching?

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Trying to figure out if this is clear coat etching and polishing is required or if this is just some really caked on contaminant or old wax. This finish is only present on the passenger side door panel at the top. Clay bar does not seem to improve the finish at all either.

This picture is taken after washing with Golds and prior to waxing. Even after waxing this finish is still visible when looking at the panel in the certain light. It is incredibly hard to capture in a photo, but in certain areas it also looks like there is a raised layer of wax or polish that is absolutely caked on and I can’t get it off. You can just barely feel the changes in surface height with a finger nail.

The car is preowned and has had this finish since it got it. I have never taken the car through a car wash but the previous owner definitely did.

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u/MisterBazz 1d ago

If it is still there after a true decon wash, then it is some sort of clearcoat damage. As long as you have enough clear left, you should be able to polish it out.

1

u/FultonBoiler 1d ago

Here is what I recommend my SC430 had some etching and I used Meguiar’s Ultimate Compund by hand and polished it out then hit it with a good Turtle Wax and it
Came out just fine.

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u/watisdezetings 1d ago

Thank you for the suggestion. I was going to look into a very mild hand polish to see if had any effect.