The following information regards the use of finesse-type repairs to industrial fallout (acid rain) and rail dust damage of basecoat/clearcoat paint finishes. Since the severity of the condition varies from area to area, proper diagnosis of the damage extent is critical to the success of repairs. Diagnosis should be performed under high intensity fluorescent lighting, on horizontal surfaces (hood, roof panel, rear compartment lid) after they have been properly cleaned. There are three basic types of acid rain damage:

1. Surface level contamination--May be repaired by simply washing the vehicle, cleaning the surface with a silicone, wax and grease remover, neutralizing acidic residue and finesse polishing.
2. Clearcoat etching--slight etching still noticeable after the above washing and finesse polishing procedure.
3. Basecoat etching--severe etching beyond the clearcoat into the basecoat.