My 69 was painted 5 years ago. Really good paint job. Well about a month ago it was water sanded. It looks great however... I have put two coats of Maguire's Carnuba wax on and the Darn thing seems to get those little scratches that you can only see from certain angles. Its very frustrating. What's the deal? Am I using the wrong wax? How do I get a harder finish?

Those are swirl marks.. Use a clean applicator and only CLEAN 100% white cotton towels and you will see a difference! The also make a swirl mark remover http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif Good Luck!

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You're not going to like this,but it looks like it might be improperly hardened or sub-standard paint or clear. You won't like the solution either. Stripper
Gordon VM

Well I must tell you I like the idea od a stripper... but just not to remove the paint off my car. I chalk it up to swirl marks. Is there any way to use a different wax or polish to haardent the finish?

If you can't make a mark with your fingernail or hook finish with same it probably is not too soft. Most color sand-buff systems start with 1200-1500 grit abrasive. Maybe the fine scratches you are seeing just need more buffing with compound. Rubbing compounds also have different grades of coarsness. Most polishes (NOT compounds) will not remove sand scratches, only conceal scratches until the oils in polish are washed off or evaporate. Choose an area to try to fix, work a 2'x2' area (max), look at area from ALL angles as you repolish with compound, be careful not to burn in compound. 3M has a very good compound/polish system that uses multiple compounds,polishes of differing coarsness. Keep in mind there several different types of polish pads to use. Car Craft Aug 2001 had good article on color sanding & buffing. Good luck. Karl

I think Karl is right, it is not that it is soft, it is too HARD. Sanding a five year old paint (or clear) and buffing is asking a whole lot.

Todays "compounds" chemically cut, they have no abrasive like the old lacquer compounds. Put some between your fingers and feel it, it is as smooth as wax.

When the paint/clear has cured and aged for 5 years, it may not do the job. You may need to go to a course compound like 3M "Micro finishing compound" Or sand more carefully with the 2000 to be sure you have sanded out all the 1500 scratches. I suggest this with a BIG warning, it will cut fast. You always work from the mildest cutter and finest paper. When that doesn't work, you go to the next step up, and so one. Don't jump up to the coarse it you havn't tried the finer stuff.
Work in a small area till you get your desired results, then do the rest.

I would put money on it, you are seeing sand scratches that were NOT buffed out because the paint is so hard.


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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
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