I just got an '01 S2000, and brought it to my trusted detailing shop. I ordered 3 step detailing, which is basically light rubbing compound, swirl remover and wax.

when they started with the first step, the rubbing compound, the red color started to rub off to the pad that they were using to polish! I was shocked, cause I expected it to have a clear coat!

Is this normal? Or not?

In the end, the car looked fabulous, but I am worried that I am removing the red paint!

 

Rubbing compound always takes off some paint. It will take off oxidation and the top layer of paint.

 

actually this is a common complaint with our red cars-
our cars are clearcoated, and i have never gotten a good explanation as to why the color would come off on a red detail, but it does...

now that they have done the swirl removal, we can help you maintain it yourself- and we can also help you do the swirl removal yourself next time if you like.

 

it's pretty much a given with the red that you'll get some color transfer to your polishing pads. With our clearcoated cars we don't really get the typical oxidation you see on single stage paint (think chalky red or white cars).

The reason you get color transfer on red is because the clearcoat has a red tint in it. You'll also get paint transfer on the mirrors of some colors (red, white) because the mirrors only ARE single-stage with some colors as mentioned.

 

Actually we do have an explanation. NFR is the only color that comes with a tinted clear coat.


Edit: I posted that before I read the whole thread. Anime had it right.

 

i thought moon rock clear coat had purple tint? not like it will help and i could totally be wrong.

 

thanks guys... dont know how i missed that, but very interesting to know that the red cars have red tinted clear

 

Not sure if the Civics are NFR but I was buffing my friends Civic and red started to get on the pad. I immediately stopped and said Oh snap! Sorry dude!

Later I found out on Autopia this is normal.

 

There are a number of different brands of car that seem to use either a single stage paint or a tinted clear coat. Mostly it seems this happens on a red or black car.

 

Just for everyone's peace of mind.....

New Formula Red s2000s are the ONLY ones that have a tinted clearcoat. It uses a pink clearcoat (from factory) thus when you are compounding (shaving off clearcoat) you will get a pink wrag. IT IS NOT RED paint that you are taking off.

If you compound a berlina, you are rubbing off the CLEAR clearcoat, thus having a clear wrag.

Its no big deal, dont worry.

*Edit, 2 people beat me to it!*