How to remove paint etching without buffer

[gatorfast]

I have a small spot on my hood where the paint is etched and it bothers me when the light catches it and I see it. I want to try to remove it myself but here is the problem...I don't have a buffer. Is it possible to do this by hand? Any tips/recommendations on how to do this?

My paint is very dark blue metallic, similar to tanzanite if that matters. Thanks!

I attached a pic for reference (best I could capture it).

[nioh_lbbm2]

Any polishing can be done by hand without a mechanical tool. It'll just take more time but it's the same principal where you act as the orbital polisher using a foam pad and compound

[Palala808]

Don't need a DA polisher it just speeds up the process. Same process you'd follow if you had one only difference is by hand and some extra time. Good luck 👍🏽

[IVM3]

I would recommend using meguiars scratch x, and if that doesn't work, then meguiars ultimate compound by hand with a cotton cloth (even a sock would work). Recommending these since you only have one spot to fix and it's really available at many retailers.

If the ultimate compound alone doesn't work, you might need to lightly wet sand with 2,000 grit before using the ultimate compound. Keep adding more ultimate compound and the scratches from sanding will go away.

[jdgamble]

Just my 0.02... I think you're gonna have a really hard time removing that by hand. My wife's car has something similar, and I tried polishing with a machine, and I didn't get it all off. I will one day try something more aggressive (microfiber + Sonax CutMax). You could end up creating something that looks as bad or worse.

[icegrill]

Truth. You need a heavy cut polish and machine to fully remove it. Be aware of thinning the clear may not be worth totally removing it.

[Ejones4541]

Originally Posted by IVM3

I would recommend using meguiars scratch x, and if that doesn't work, then meguiars ultimate compound by hand with a cotton cloth (even a sock would work). Recommending these since you only have one spot to fix and it's really available at many retailers.

If the ultimate compound alone doesn't work, you might need to lightly wet sand with 200 grit before using the ultimate compound. Keep adding more ultimate compound and the scratches from sanding will go away.

I'm hoping you meant 2,000 grit, else you might have an angry OP if he acts on this advice.

[clutchdj]

3k grit wet hand sand first. We are only spot sanding here! Use 2k grit wet and absolutely get a buffer. Rupees big foot; yellow pad followed by white. Yeah you can bring back the luster if you work on it manually by hand. It will take time. Half a day. Etching requires back and fourth between wet sand and buffing depending how hard it has burned into the clear coat. Just a pita but it can be repaired/reduced at least by 80%

[IVM3]

Originally Posted by Ejones4541

I'm hoping you meant 2,000 grit, else you might have an angry OP if he acts on this advice.

Wow thanks for the catch. Yes i meant 2000 grit. I will edit now. I can confirm meguiars ultimate compound can get 2000 grit wet sand marks out by hand.

[gatorfast]

Well I just used 200 grit and absolutely destroyed my paint.








jk haven't tried anything yet but thank you all for the ideas

[TrauCon]

If you want to do it by hand:

Chemical Guys V38 (or V36)
and
Chemical Guys Logic Hand Applicator Pad (Black)

It is going to take a long time to get that off.

[TrauCon]

I normally don't recommend Chemical Guys but their V38/V36 and hand pads are not bad at all. More info on the black pad, it is the finishing pad with no cutting. You should try to start there first and move up the list to White and Orange. Do the something for the compound of V38 36 34 32.
Your clear will get thinner for sure. You can decom it and then coat it with Gtechniq CSL and ExoV4 after all.

[Franco3000]

Originally Posted by TrauCon

I normally don't recommend Chemical Guys but their V38/V36 and hand pads are not bad at all. More info on the black pad, it is the finishing pad with no cutting. You should try to start there first and move up the list to White and Orange. Do the something for the compound of V38 36 34 32.
Your clear will get thinner for sure. You can decom it and then coat it with Gtechniq CSL and ExoV4 after all.

Just had this happen to my CF roof, I tried every chemical on earth mentioned on these forums (also reluctant to buy a polishing machine) and nothing took the etching off. Finally, instead of paying a shop to do the work, I bit the bullet and bought a G9 Orbital polisher from Griotts. I was scared as heck to use one as I thought I was going to make things worse (fine scratches everywhere). Long story short, easiest tool to use, it took off the etching in 5 seconds =-. Became an expert in minutes, then proceeded to polish the whole car and wow! the paint looks as good as when the car was new. Hope this helps.

[jdgamble]

Originally Posted by Franco3000

Just had this happen to my CF roof, I tried every chemical on earth mentioned on these forums (also reluctant to buy a polishing machine) and nothing took the etching off. Finally, instead of paying a shop to do the work, I bit the bullet and bought a G9 Orbital polisher from Griotts. I was scared as heck to use one as I thought I was going to make things worse (fine scratches everywhere). Long story short, easiest tool to use, it took off the etching in 5 seconds =-. Became an expert in minutes, then proceeded to polish the whole car and wow! the paint looks as good as when the car was new. Hope this helps.

Good for you. With all the questions about pricing of details and ceramic coatings, I always recommend buying the hardware and doing it yourself. I was hesitant too, and now I look for reasons to use my DA. It’s so much cheaper and also really enjoyable if you’re a car person, which most of us are... otherwise why would we be here?