Mother-in-law placed loaded laundry basket on hood then dragged it off. Deep scratches on hood and fender. I have wet sanded with 2000 grit and removed most traces of the scratches. I then used rubbing compound, scratch remover, and swirl remover in succession. Situation improving. But, am I dealing with straight enamel or did I sand thru the clear coat?

Also, how is the "S 2000" logo attached to fender?

 

you went through the clearcoat. I can't think of many new cars that don't have at least 1 layer of clearcoat on top of the paint.

 

NEW FORMULA RED is not clear coated .I proved this to the body shop that repaired my car this summer.The paint is also very thin.

 

It's not? That's really hard to believe.

 

same here, I find it VERY hard to belive.

 

New Formula red is clearcoated. Every car produced is clearcoated. Thats the most absurd comment I have ever heard. It paint had no clearcoat, it would shine for 10 hours and then dull. And you proved this to a bodyshop????

P.S. I have a formula red, and had it clearcoated when work was done)

 

It's easy to prove one way or the other (I think it is clearcoated, as red pigments are very unstable).

Get an abrasive cleaner wax or scratch remover - go to an unsighted area (under hood, under trunk), or along door jamb and rub firmly with the wax/remover - if the cloth picks up color, then it is not clearcoated. If it doesn't, it is.

Done. Next!

 

Once again. It is clearcoated. No color will come off with any abrasives. EVERY CAR PRODUCED BY ALL MANUFACTURERS TODAY IS CLEARCOATED. God, I cant believe I actually have to say this.

 

The painter didn't believe me either so he took a piece of fine grit sand paper to the damaged part of my car .He said "look it left a white haze its cleared" then he turned the paper over and it was red. It confused the hell out of him to.

All aftermarket painted parts that have been cleared i've seen on red match fine in the sun ,but under a fluorescent light they don't match at all. Unless they have been blended in.

If it is cleared they must mix the base coat into it .

 

Ok.....

Like I said....all cars are cleared on top of paint. Period. There is no arguement about this. Some cars have thicker clearcoat (acuras, lexus, mercedes) luxury cars usually. The s2000 has 1 layer of clearcoat. Which is why your statement "the paint is very thin" holds true. The paint on my RL is 100000 times stronger than my s2k. THe fender is dented to crap and not one flaw in the paint. No cracks, etc.

If you talk to anyone who knows a lot about paintwork, they will tell you....paint with no clearcoat CANNOT shine.

So, yes the s2000 is crap as hell paint, but it is clearcoated...albeit lightly (the industry standard in 3 coats, while higher class cars have 7.

Just an FYI....since the s2000 is a weight sensitive car, Honda might have thinned the paint a little bit. A few very respectable shops around my way all told me.....a car that is bare metal that is properly painted and clearcoated will gain about 40-50 lbs.

Another little fact. You cannot "scratch" paint. You can scrape it off, but you cannot make hairline scratches or scratch red paint and still see red under it. Also, you cannot compound paint, only clearcoat.