paulfrom94

So I got my car about 2 months ago and I have some big problems with my paint. The first and BIGGEST problem is that the paint on the inside of the door handle on the part you pull is come off in like a 1 inch space. You can clearly see silver under the paint. Another problem is when looking at the black paint under the sun or any light you can see an infinite about of swirl marks.
Is there any why to fix the paint or is it too far gone?
I tried to wash my car myself but now it looks even worse with water spots everywhere on the trim so form now on I will be going to a GOOD car wash and let professionals do it.
I would like the car to look shiny all the time without those swirl marks and have no problem spending a bit of money each month to keep it that way but I don't know where to start.

XxGoKoUxX

First off, you should do some reading on some forums on detailing your car.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/forum.php

there's also http://www.autogeekonline.net/

You need some paint correction, swirl removal, and etc. Keep your car out of the sun as much as possible right now, as it sounds like your car is down to the bare clear and the sun is going to damage it even more (i'm assuming your car hasn't been waxed or detailed in forever).

When you wash your car, use a two-bucket method. One bucket for washing, one bucket to rinse the sponge before dipping back into the wash bucket. This will keep as much swirl marks as possible off of the car. Also use more expensive (check http://www.autogeek.net/ for your car-washing needs). If you maintain the car correctly, you won't have to worry about spending a bit every month, just have to keep up with it

paulfrom94

Thanks but what should I do about the door handle? Should I just get it replaced?

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Post a pic, it will help better see what needs to be done to take care of it

XxGoKoUxX

I can't tell until you post a picture, sorry.... For all I know, you could have just scratched the clear and it left a white mark. My silver GS does that, and often.... a quick polish removes it though. It's like you scratching black plastic, it leaks a white residue due to the scraping gesture. It's the exact same thing with clear, it acts like a plastic.

Here's a great example (not telling you to buy the book) of what you are witnessing with your paint:

http://www.autogeek.net/ibook.html

Damn you ibidu! You ninja'd me lol!

paulfrom94

Will do tomorrow after work or I may just make a video with all the things wrong with the paint.

paulfrom94

That's the door handle. The texture is like if someone sanded the handle in that spot...

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Cheapest option: touch up paint
Expensive: take to body shop where they will remove, sand, respray, then reinstall

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Hard to tell from the photo where the sand marks are, but you can use 3500 grit wet sandpaper, with a little water soak the paper and gently sand the scratch, and then follow through with a compound. That should take care of it

paulfrom94

.... I don't have the confidence so ill just have a pro check it out when I get the car detailed later this month.

XxGoKoUxX

Agreed, let the professionals do it if you have never done detail work.....

I started on my mother's Odyssey and a is250 loaner before I did my car (both the Odyssey and is250 came out immaculate though, be cause I had a mentor on my shoulder).

Removal of that door handle is not hard at all, you can actually DIY it and have them do the rest of the paint work, shouldn't cost more than $50 to color match.