What have I done???

[John_Mc]

In my ongoing quest to be my own worst enemy, tonight I took some denatured alcohol to some pine sap on the paint of my car. Removed the pine sap beautifully!...and the clear coat as well, it would appear. I'm not sure clear coat is what I have on the car, but whatever it is, the alcohol buggered it up pretty bad. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cry.gif Any suggestions for damage control? I'll just be downstairs taking a ballpeen hammer to my head... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif

 

[DougF]

I would first try a high speed buffer. If not available, use rubbing compound.
If these don't work, try 2000 grit paper. Wet sand with that, if it is not too deep it should come out. If necessary, try 1500 or 1000.

 

[PeterK]

Ask your local autobody supply what to do.

 

[KVH]

No problem. I wouldn't worry about it. I did the same thing to a part of my trunk lid. The ballpeen actually feels quite good and evens the score without a lot of angst.

 

[DrEntropy]

...and NEXT time, use mineral spirits...

 

[kodanja]

The compound trick might work, but more than likely you removed the clear coat.


Thats what happen to mine when I saw a couple scratches, I thought it could just be buffed out with compound.
I ended up having to have the entire bonnet sanded even, buffed & re-clear coated.


It looks much better now! (400$ later)

 

[TR6oldtimer]

I would not think that cured clear coat could be removed by using denatured alcohol. IMO it looks like you just scuffed the area. I would take it to an auto detailer. There should be lots of them in Santa Clara Valley who can do it if it can be done. Else, off to your favorite auto paint shop.

 

[Brosky]

I'd contact our resident expert, Autoshine, for all auto finishes right here on the forum.

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/57593#Post57593

He will offer the right solution to get you out of this situation.

 

[2wrench]

I like the idea of seeing an auto detailer. Really,
looks like a buffing out of sorts involving very,
very fine finishing wet sanding...4000 grit comes to
mind....maybe even 2000...though carefully and
with respectable amount of caution. Then you'd go to
a rubbing/polishing compound of some sort.

All said, by the time you chased to acquire the proper
equipment like an auto polisher; buffing compounds
and wet sandpaper, you probably could have paid an auto
detailer....unless, of course, they price their work
not on time and materials, but on what they perceive
they will save you from having to paint.

If that happens and they are out of line to try
something for you that might not even work to your
satisfaction, I can provide one each of the very
fine sanding pads of 4000 and 2000, if you wanted
to try; but then you gotta buff it out... and while
it's not likely, if you leave a buffer on too fast in
one place for too long, you could compound your
problem by "burning through" your clear coat, if any
there be.

Try a little hand rubbing with a rubbing compound
before we get all too excited, though. That might
just bring her around well enough.

Best wishes,

 

[2wrench]

And I might mention, I just noticed we are pretty
close neighbors. You are in Campbell, CA. You're
only about 50, 60 miles away from Tracy, CA, I think.