HELP!!! I think i ruined my new paint job!!

[HondaCivic4358]

sorry for the long post guys, but ok, so its been about 7-8 months since ive had my car painted. The body shop used a Dupont acrylic enamel. They said it would be ok to wash with just water after 30 days, then ok to wash with a light soap after 90 days and it would be fine to wax it after 6 months. so i decided to wax it because it was a nice day and it was sunny out. i let the wax sit for about 15 minutes, then hand wiped it off. i used a black wax meant for dark colored cars, my car is black btw. and so i tried getting the wax off by hand and it did not come off fully-- i panicked. i tried rubbing it out, didnt work. i called a local paint shop and they said to use a polishing compound to help remove the dried wax that would nto come off. it came off, but now it looks like it scratched the paint, and it looks like it has many finger prints all over it (it was done by hand, not a buffer). the paint shop i called also said that the guy that painted my car may have not used a cleat coat, because it costs about $200 per gallon, plus something about an acrylic enamel doesnt need it or something. long story short, the wax came off, but it looks liek either the wax left scratches or the polishing compound did, and it looks like it left finger print marks too, (all i used was an old t shirt) please help!

[KinkBykr]

take the car to the person who painted it, if you can. Once when I was working on a show bike I was making, the paint, when I poished it in light looked like it had scratches, but I took it to my friend who painted it, and in around 30 minutes we had the frame sparkling, just by buffing it a little with a really light polishing compound. It may be from you not having clear coat, from my experience, try and go with clear coat if you can, it's a life saver for small skuffs on the paint. but really take it to him, and see what he thinks. but if you can afford it, and it's not to crazy of a thing to do, buy some clear coat, or see if he has a partial can he will give you a deal on to use on the car. Hope it's still fine, paint can cause some bummer things

[HondaCivic4358]

thanks for the help man, maybe i will try buffing it.

[doug294]

You don't put clear on enamel. Thats why it's so cheap. I had my old elcamino I painted with enamel. I waxed it after a month and it was fine.

[amy@af]

as KinkBykr suggested, take it back to the guy who painted it. the worst thing to do is to bring it to somebody else OR trying other stuff yourself.

it sounds like the compound you used was abrasive...the paint guy should have something lighter to take the scratches out.

[HondaCivic4358]

he retires this month! no!!!!!! i think he is moving to florida or something. i better hurry, it may be too late i feel so dumb right now

[stealthZCcivic]

did you wax it in direct sunlight? bring it to a detail or body shop and have it buffed and waxed, you need a buffer the scratches wont come out by hand

[KinkBykr]

Originally Posted by doug294

You don't put cleam on enamel. Thats why it's so cheap. I had my old elcamino I painted with enamel. I waxed it after a month and it was fine.

Thanks for that info, I didn't know clear wasn't to go on enamel. but definatly, take the car to the painter before he is gone, and really, don't try buffing it without him saying to, unless he's gone, then just be carful, or talk to people at a detailing shop. good luck