Paint etching on a 2009 Acura TSX in crystal black pearl

[cammyfive]

A couple of weeks ago, another member of the forums here (also an Adams dealer) took me under his wing and tutored me on machine polishing for the very first time (used the Flex). It was very rewarding and following his lead we got 95% of the zillions of swirls out and the blue metallic in the paint absolutely pops now coated with Patriot.

 

The only nagging issue that remains is what appears to be acid rain or water spot etching on the hood and roof, not isolated but pretty much covering them consistently. We started out using the Flex with the orange Microfiber pad and Paint Correcting Polish #1 but actually had much better results doing a one stage with the white foam pad and just Paint Finishing Polish #2 after fighting with the first step for an hour or so. My questions are these....

 

1) Now, with the Acura paints being quite soft, is there a recommendation as to a specific polisher/pad/product combo to try to remove the etching? I'd like to try a recommendation like that before going to wet sanding.

 

2) If wet sanding is the only option to remove the etching (he'll be doing that as I have zero experience) what products/pads will be needed afterwards to polish the sanding marks out?

[cammyfive]

Just a teaser of the gorgeous metallic flakes in the paint along the side panels

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

How about a teaser of the actual etching??

 

I'm not really sure why you guys had limited sucess with the microfiber pad and Correcting Polish - on an Acura that combo should have eaten any etching for breakfast.  What was the working time with the MF pad & correcting polish?  Something doesn't add up here...

[cammyfive]

I'll try to get some pics tomorrow of the etching, it's been raining and nasty here the last couple of days.

[Chris@Adams]

Did you try the 4" Focus pads?

 

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-771-adams-4-focus-pad-kit-with-drill-adapter.aspx

[cammyfive]

I don't believe so. Which specific pad would you recommend? Also, would it be adviseable to do the hood and roof in their entirety with the 4" Focus pads?

[Chris@Adams]

Do all of the etching with the. 4" pads, then follow up with the Flex.

[cammyfive]

Of course they are painfully obvious to the naked eye but very difficult to capture with a camera.....

[ForceofWill]

If what you're talking about is those little tiny dots and like you said they're everywhere, then I'm gonna call Solvent Pop.

 

It's not gonna come off.

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

If what you're talking about is those little tiny dots and like you said they're everywhere, then I'm gonna call Solvent Pop.

 

It's not gonna come off.

I'm with you on this one - that's not water spot etching.  

[Chewy]

Yep!  Was the car repainted at some point?  

[randyfox]

Not sure if is related, but I know many Civics of the same year and color had paint issues on the hood, roof and deck lids. In fact my wife's was fixed recently under a recall. May as well see if anything has been issued on the TSX.