[Hapbob]

Used white car
When looking at angle with sun just there you can see streaks that looks like a coating was put on uneven or to sparsely/thin in a wipe formation. I would like to remove it all and just wax it. Nothing I have tried so far touches it. Any Ideas what a plan would be for a very in-experience car finish guy.

Hap

[Kernel Kurtz]

I'd try a clay bar first. It is hard to mess up anything with that.

If that does not work you will probably need to use an abrasive compound and a power tool, and that will depend on your skill/comfort level.

[Hapbob]

I tried the clay bar and still have the streaks. I am guessing is some sort of Ceramic coating that wasn't put on great or its been there a long time. Its a 2018 car. I am going to take to a detailer to get estimate to strip it down to paint and I just want to wax it.
Nothing I tried touches the problem.
Hap

[John in VA]

Most professional specialists agree that using an orbital polisher with a polishing compound is the best way to remove a ceramic coating. Because polishing may essentially "cut" through the resistive coating until the clear coat is reached, it is by far the simplest method. However, this requires knowledge of polishing techniques and the ability to know when one has successfully cut through the ceramic coating, but has not penetrated too deeply into the underlying transparent layer.

[fiveightandten]

Originally Posted by Hapbob

I tried the clay bar and still have the streaks. I am guessing is some sort of Ceramic coating that wasn't put on great or its been there a long time. Its a 2018 car. I am going to take to a detailer to get estimate to strip it down to paint and I just want to wax it.
Nothing I tried touches the problem.
Hap

There are products specifically designed to strip products off the paint; both car wash concentrates and spray on/wipe off products. Of course, a ceramic coating is designed to hold up against this, but I'd start by chemically attacking it with a car wash designed to strip. Then wipe the car down with a 50/50 mix of iso-propyl alcohol and water. This will minimize the mechanical work you need to do.

After that, you'll need to attack it mechanically, as you've tried. But be aware that you're removing a solid. So what happens is it will load up onto the polishing pad that you're using. Then you're just grinding it into the paint, which can introduce more imperfections. The key here is controlling the contamination on the pad to avoid that. Use some compressed air to blow the dust off the pad often.

What kind of polisher, pad, and product have you been using to try and remove this?

[Hapbob]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

There are products specifically designed to strip products off the paint; both car wash concentrates and spray on/wipe off products. Of course, a ceramic coating is designed to hold up against this, but I'd start by chemically attacking it with a car wash designed to strip. Then wipe the car down with a 50/50 mix of iso-propyl alcohol and water. This will minimize the mechanical work you need to do.

After that, you'll need to attack it mechanically, as you've tried. But be aware that you're removing a solid. So what happens is it will load up onto the polishing pad that you're using. Then you're just grinding it into the paint, which can introduce more imperfections. The key here is controlling the contamination on the pad to avoid that. Use some compressed air to blow the dust off the pad often.

What kind of polisher, pad, and product have you been using to try and remove this?

I haven't tried mechanical removal. Just Claybar and various cleaners. I don't have the equipment or knowledge/skill for that I am afraid. I have talked to a local detail guy who seems to know what he is doing and will take it all off for $350. Still deciding if thats what I want to do.

Hap