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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:20 PM
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Default Need Detailing Help!!!

My 65 was painted 2 years ago. I was cleaning the engine compartment this week and put a Fender Gripper over the left front fender to protect the paint. When I removed the fender gripper there was a waffle-like pattern in the paint (pattern from the fender gripper). I thought no problem I'll just buff it out. So far it will not come out! I have used polish and swirl remover with my random orbital polisher without luck. There is no ceramic coating on the paint - just wax. What can (should) I try next without damaging the paint??


The pattern in the paint is visible around the light reflection - best I can do.

This is the fender protector. Same pattern on back side.
the paint further??
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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:24 PM
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That fender gripper sounds evil!

Try a bit of wax as that pattern is probably in the wax. If not, a clay bar with detail spray should do the trick. If neither works, I’ll be following along to learn what the pros suggest.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:25 PM
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What type of paint is it? Sounds like lacquer.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Factoid
That fender gripper sounds evil!

Try a bit of wax as that pattern is probably in the wax. If not, a clay bar with detail spray should do the trick. If neither works, I’ll be following along to learn what the pros suggest.
That is what I thought, too. I have tried wax, polish, swirl remover, and clay bar - none work. The paint is base coat clear coat and not lacquer.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:41 PM
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You want to use the mildest application and move up. I would next carefully try the mildest compound you can find. Leaving it parked in the hot FL sun could possibly help.I know it would with lacquer.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:48 PM
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When I say mild compound, don't use the buffer. Try a little in a small spot with a rag.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:50 PM
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I recently purchased the same Fender Gripper. I got the same pattern on the fender. I have single stage Nassau Blue painted 15 years ago. Detail Spray took it off.

I cleaned the Gripper with the usual stuff, degreaser and soap and water. I still got the waffle pattern. Put it in the washing machine with a few towels and detergent. No go. I still get the waffle pattern. It wipes off with the detail spray but it is very annoying for sure.

I know some guys that put down layers of cling wrap on the fenders. I plan on that route now with a layer of cling wrap and the Fender Gripper over it.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 02:58 PM
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How long did you leave the fender 'protector' on? I can't really get a sense of the extent of the problem. Do you have another picture.

You might have experienced some off-gassing of the rubber material and my fear is it could have absorbed into the paint.

Last edited by Mark G; May 8, 2022 at 05:23 PM.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark G
How long did you leave the fender 'protector' on?
3-4 days. I was cleaning the engine compartment and installing new Wilwood master cylinder and proportioning valve. The waffle pattern usually is easily removed with detailing spray, but I think leaning on the cover may have caused the problem. I'm very reluctant to use fine rubbing compound. This was a very expensive paint job and I'm afraid I might permanently damage it.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 04:13 PM
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Default Detailing help

Your clear coat should have cured harder. The pad should not have affect your clearcoat. I am afraid you are going to have to resort to sanding the clear coat with 3000 grit sandpaper then buffing it back out.
Hopefully you have a good coat of clearcoat.
Don
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Old May 8, 2022 | 05:27 PM
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Don is probably right. You might need to wet-sand and re-polish with a machine buffer starting with a medium compound and working up to a foam pad. IDK about 3k paper, 2k would be the finest I'd use ...but if you have 3k you can try that. Different guy use their own method. You should be ok. It removes so little clear...
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Old May 8, 2022 | 05:49 PM
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I’ve got 4 of those fender pads and used them on lacquer, single stage, and BC/CC cars without problem, sometimes leaving them on a car for months. They leave a film on the paint after awhile but it always wipes off with detailing spray.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 05:51 PM
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Can you ask the painter for suggestions. I wouldn’t sand it - I would try a mild polish first. Always start with the least aggressive plan of attack first.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by DansYellow66
I’ve got 4 of those fender pads and used them on lacquer, single stage, and BC/CC cars without problem, sometimes leaving them on a car for months. They leave a film on the paint after awhile but it always wipes off with detailing spray.
Mine leaves a film after only 20-30 minutes. But it does wipe off.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 06:28 PM
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If I had your problem. The first thing I would do
is strip all of the wax,detail spray and polish off the
area. You can use over the counter products like
3M, or Rust O leum Wax and Tar remover or Ardex
brand. You could even use Dawn dish soap. Just make sure
the area is totally clean. You may find that you have solved
the problem.. If not then I would carefully compound the
area to remove the swirl. You may find that like a lot of us we
put too much wax/polish on our cars. And end up with too
much build up.
Good luck

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Old May 8, 2022 | 07:01 PM
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Can you ask the painter for suggestions. I wouldn’t sand it - I would try a mild polish first. Always start with the least aggressive plan of attack first.
After you exhaust 'cleaning' suggestions and it doesn't come out, if you don't know how to buff, yeah, I agree ask the local shop. If buffing is what's needed, it's probably a 1hr job depending on the size of repair. I've painted cars for years (in a shop and at home). LOL. Should be easy to resolve. Might want to use a different fender mat for the future.
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Old May 8, 2022 | 08:28 PM
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I purchased 2 giant micro fiber Chemical Guys drying towels on Amazon. They are super thick and cost around $28 each. They are so soft they won't scratch or harm your front fenders. Worth every penny. I use them all the time. Once done, place in washer & dryer for cleaning.

Chemical Guys MIC1996 Woolly Mammoth Drying Towel, Blue"><span style=Chemical Guys MIC1996 Woolly Mammoth Drying Towel, Blue" /> Chemical Guys MIC1996 Woolly Mammoth Drying Towel, Blue">Chemical Guys MIC1996 Woolly Mammoth Drying Towel, Blue


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Old May 8, 2022 | 08:30 PM
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Could you please make that a little larger ...I was having a hard time reading it
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Old May 8, 2022 | 10:35 PM
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I've used large micro fiber towels. They are great except they slide off the fender like water. That is the main reason I purchased the fender gripper. I think I'm going to try sanding and buffing - and hoping I don't break through the clear coat!
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Old May 9, 2022 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by TCKT B8
I've used large micro fiber towels. They are great except they slide off the fender like water. That is the main reason I purchased the fender gripper. I think I'm going to try sanding and buffing - and hoping I don't break through the clear coat!
If you purchase large heavy oversized microfiber towels like I did you won't have any problems. Mine is the size of a bath towel and thick like a blanket. You need to purchase them as 1 per package for around $30 each to get the quality that you need.

They are also great for drying off your car after using soap & water. Never have to worry about scratching the fiberglass. Just throw in the washer & dryer to clean and re-use.
The small hand held micro-fiber towels I just use once and throw away.


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