Paint oxidizing?

[Gallstaff]

I bought my firebird used (obviously) and after cleaning it recently, it looks pretty nice other than the need for some polish and wax. So it was always pretty dirty since I bought it in Jan. but after giving it my first really hardcore scrub I've noticed these little white flecks of paint on my car. I don't know if this is oxidation or simply paint chips from... something the guy did before me, but it's pissing me off. Is my clear coat on it's way out? I would take a picture but my digital camera isn't sort of out of comission at the moment. It's also realy noticable since it's a black car.

[Blazing_Firebird]

Hm, I guess it depends.

I'm getting the impression that they are paint chips from rocks and debris.

I have quite a bit on my front bumper and hood from the douchebag that had it before me, and its probably from wax being filled in.

Nothing really you can do about it, unlses you want to repaint it?

[Camarorulz]

Feel the spots with your finger, do they feel like they go in, or rest on the surface of your paint? Oxidation isn't really white, I'm thinking you have chips. Go to your local AutoZone or O'Reilly's and get some touch-up paint, make sure its GM equivalent. On a dark car especially this will do WONDERS for the appearance. I'm guessing most of your marks are on the hood and front fascia?

[Gallstaff]

You guys are both exactly right. They do go in and they're little white divits especially on my front bumper with 4 or 5 noticable ones on my hood. So this isn't oxidation? Good deal! How does Autozone touch up paint look? Will it still reflect and shine when I wash my car or will there be little dull patches where I filled it in?

Also, has anyone seen this stuff from a bottle you rub onto a cloth I guess and rub over a scratch and it fills it in? I'v eseen commercials for it but have never heard how well it works.

Here's one little chip


And here's another


[ April 11, 2005, 11:00 PM: Message edited by: Gallstaff ]

[Camarorulz]

The touch-up paint will match the color of your car exactly (assuming you get the right color,) but the finish will not look quite the same, you will be able to tell close up that it's been touched up. This will look better than having chips in your paint though, and chances are no one will notice but you. [img]smile.gif[/img]