MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

brgfan · #1 05-30-2006, 10:05 AM

I had another project going on in the garage this winter, so my '05 BRG MCS sat outside through this winter's rains in N. California. I only washed it a couple of times, thinking that my project would soon be finished and the MINI would be back inside for a good detailing.

That finally happened this week-end. However, as I was polishing the bonnet, I noticed that I now have thousands of tiny round craters in the clear coat. They're not rock dings, but appear to be perfectly round craters, that are about the size of the center of a lower case 'o' or slightly smaller.

I've tried Meguiar's polish and carnuba. I also tried using a clay bar, but they still sparkle like stars in the sky, when the light hits them right.

Is this my fault for not washing it enought over the winter? Is the paint defective? My MINI had a fresh coat of wax when it went outside last fall. I don't recall seeing this happen to any other car I've ever owned. But, then again, I've never paid such close attention to the appearance of another car.

Any ideas on why this is happening, or what I can do about it?

**Partsman** · #2 05-30-2006, 10:22 AM

Weird...
I was looking at a BRG/B
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=69846
and noticed something similar in the clear coat on the bonnet. They're not perfect circles though and I don't know if they will wash/buff out. I'll find out if I end up getting this car.

kenchan · #3 05-30-2006, 11:47 AM

hail damage?

brgfan · #4 05-30-2006, 12:02 PM

Nope, not hail damage, and not related to any impacts. It looks like small circular erosions. I'm pretty sure its the result of rain and weather, but I'm wondering if this is normal, or if its something that I should complain about to the dealer, and if there's any way to fix it, short of re-shooting the clear coat.

kenchan · #5 05-30-2006, 12:39 PM

i would definitely show it to the dealer and get their opinion and see if
they would entertain a re-clearcoat.

perhaps they might be able to send you to a detailer and compound some
of that craterness(?) out?

agranger · #6 05-30-2006, 02:21 PM

acid rain? really bad waterspots?

If it is a waterspot problem, there are some vinegar wash suggestions posted around here somewhere that might help (followed by a polish and wax/seal).

brgfan · #7 06-01-2006, 11:20 AM

I've also found the same 'crater' condition on the flat upper surface of the rear bumper, just behind the boot. I experimented back there with some Mother's polish. (It seemed like the mild abrasive, mixed with the wax base, might help without doing much harm.) After a little hand buffing in a small area, about 80% of the craters were gone. I had a slight haze that was resolved with Meguires polish, and then wax. That small section looks pretty good now!

But, I'm not going to go crazy on my paint with a metal polish. I've ordered some Sonus hand polish, and I haven't tried the vinegar wash yet. I want to deal with this in the least aggressive way possible, but one way or another, it looks like I'll be able to resolve most of the problem.

kenchan · #8 06-01-2006, 11:40 AM

^^ sounds good. I guess time to get a car cover this year, huh?

brgfan · #9 06-01-2006, 12:20 PM

Actually, I just need to get the MINI back in my garage. Last winter, multiple issues on #2 son's car tied up the garage for several weeks. Then I needed the space to finish a 2-year restoration project on an Indian MC, which is 95% done now. The MINI should be back in there permanently within the next couple of weeks.

But, yes. I'd say that, if you're picky about your car's finish, you just can leave it out in the elements without a cover. The problems I'm seeing are the result of only one winter's worth of rain in termperate California (about 3-4 months outdoors).