RollinRock

I've been following your posts and know you are a very knowlegable member here. I’ve been a member of this board since I purchased my 06 STX. I bought a DA from Rick at ADS soon after, use it often and feel very comfortable with its operation. Let me describe my problem.

Just purchased a black 09 Honda Civic SI. Gave it a real good inspection up and down all door panels before buying, everything looked good. No dings whatsoever and the paint appeared good. Three days later (after a 2 day rain) the car was now dry and the sun was shinning directly on the passenger side door panels. There now was a large etching mark (1.5” x ¼”) on the rear door. With the sun hitting the door at this angle the mark stands out like a sore thumb. It appears to be either a paint run that was “fixed” at the factory or some sort of bird dropping that hit and ran down the door. You cannot feel it if you run your finger on it. I immediately took it back to the dealer and their body guy attempted to rub it out with something in an unmarked bottle. I asked him before he did if what he was using was more aggressive than McGuire’s # 80. He said it wasn’t, but still didn’t tell me what product he was using. After he applied it the mark appeared gone. I took it home and wiped it with an alcohol swab to see if it was truly gone. It wasn’t. But, it was much less obvious than before he addressed it. I called back the dealer, there response was their next step would be to wet sand and buff the spot or if I would like they would re-paint the entire door. Now I don’t want them to wet sand since I don’t know the skill set of the person who would be doing it. Also, the only way I want the door re-painted would be a last resort thing if “product” can’t correct the problem. You see I have no idea of how far, if at all, the factory or the dealership went in attempting to correct this etching mark BEFORE I bought it. I honestly feel they covered it up with some sort of “wax” and put it on the lot. Hoping whoever bought the car wouldn’t even notice it.

After wiping it with alcohol I then applied some NXT to the etching. It’s completely gone again. Guess the oils in the wax masks up the mark. Before allowing the dealer to wet sand or re-spray the door I want to attempt to fix this problem myself.

Here’s my plan of attack. (These are the products I have on hand)
Use # 80 with a polishing pad, if no good then try Ultimate Compound with the polishing pad if still no good try M105 with the polishing pad. I was going to use the DA but would you recommend rubbing it by hand instead?

Sorry no pics, been raining here for the last week. Any input would be helpful. Like I said even if I completely destroy the door (attempting to fix it), the dealer’s going to repaint it as a last resort anyway. Honestly, the last thing I want is a repaint, worried it won’t match and / or 3 years down the road the repainted door will fade. This sure took the fun out of buying a new car.

Thanks
Al