etching

[DSGMACH]

Has anyone had to deal with etching here? I have a friend who is wanting me to detail her DSG Escape but she has some etching in the clear coat. It looks like some acid rain or some other contaminant sat on there a little to long. I have washed, clayed, and used Meg's #80 with a Propel Light Cut Pad (Green) with no luck. I have some Four Star SMR that I haven't tried, but I thought I should see if anyone else has tackled this problem before I do use it or go and order a bunch of stuff. Any help would be appreciated.

[DSG Man]

I have some etching on my DSG also. I tried using a Porter Cable random polisher but it didn't work. Then I tried some Scratch-X and all I ended up with was more scratches. So as soon as it gets nice out I'm taking it to a custom body shop and have them hit it a few licks. Good luck.

[Lonestar 7]

Yeap about all you can do is sand it and have it repainted which is expensive since they have to do a large area to blend it in with the paint.

[Iamchris]

The orange pad is more abrasive... I would imagine you could try that. Talk to excel, he knows what hes talking about!

[exceldetail]

Have you tried vinegar to get the deposits out ?

[DSGMACH]

I did on the windows with no luck, but I haven't on the paint

[Totoland Mach]

I've had some etching problems on my daily wart hog...bird droppings left on by the previous owner.

I used Meg's Scratch X..but learned I wasn't using it correctly. I tried using it per directions of Mike Phillips on Meguiarsonline: Apply to an applicator pad and work product in a back/forth motion (not circular) while product is drying. The abrasives in Scratch X don't start working until the product dries. After trying this method, voila!...worked.

After removal of the nasties, I went back over the area with a pc and #83 Dual Action Cleaner/Polish. Cleaned up fine.

Use of the product "will" cause some light surface scratching, but should remove the etching. After you follow up with your fav. cleaner and a pc, they'll be gone.

See Ya

[R03Mach]

Have you tried vinegar to get the deposits out ?



excel, what is the best way to use the vinegar method on paint? Spray bottle? What proportion? How long to sit on paint? Removal, etc.

[exceldetail]

I like to use my "cement splatter removal technique".....
Spray bottle, distilled white vinegar (5%), and paper towels.
Spray area in question, apply small pieces of paper towel. The paper will stick to the surface. Respray the area, keep the paper towel wet for about 20 minutes. This will soften any water /mineral deposits. Wipe area clean. Then use an abrasive polish like Toto mentioned. Your going to have to experiment on pad direction, sometimes you need to follow the direction of the etch, treat it like a scratch. If the scratch is up and down, you follow that direction for removal, not cross grain. Keep in mind, when using an abrasive, your creating scratches while removing larger ones, or in the case, ridges from the etch. You will need to follow up with a less abrasive product, to remove the fine scratches.....Seal afterwards.

[R03Mach]

Thanks Patrick. Good info. I should have been more specific with the question. How about water spots. When I received your stuff I went with the green pad and Megs #9 to get out the swirls. It did take out the swirls and lessened the appearance of the water marks but I will have to get more aggressive. BTW, besides the chips in the paint, the Mach looks better than ever. Thanks.