I have a 2009 Red corvette. I was using quick scratch remover. I only used the second step which is a polish. I didn't use the first step because it's a bit abrasive. I used the polish on the back bumper to remove a scuff mark. The scuff mark came out and the finish looks great. I was very happy with the results until I looked at my white polishing cloth which had a light shade of Red on it. My jaw dropped. Can anyone tell me what happened? Is it possible I removed the clear coat and or paint even though it doesn't appear do and if so what can I do? Any help is greatly appreciated, Thanks

If it is a bumper I would think that the area might have had some touch-up done on it. Even if new, vehicles receive minor damage while be transported and even just sitting on the lot. Touch-up specialists go from lot to lot doing a worksheet of damage to cars. If you bought it used from a private individual, again aerosol touch-up isn't out of the question as a guy details the car for sale. I'd say you got some red overspray in that rag....

I tested it on the other bumper as well with the same results. From looking at the car the finish looks factory. Is there another possibility?

If it's overspray does that mean my paint is lacking clear coat. Is there a way of telling if the entire car was repainted?

Solid red? It will be 2K or what you guys call single stage. No clear coat. Very few manufacturers use a clear coat over solid colours.

Check by testing a few other spots on the car, doing similar to what you did on the bar.

Okay, let's try this.... which red do you have? 2009 spec.s 3 reds. They are Torch red which appears to be a solid color, Victory red which looks like a Tri coat, and finally Crystal Claret Tintcoat which also looks like a Tri coat. To my knowledge (I also owned a 2006 model myself) all spec.s are base/clear on Corvette. You know, there could have been some work done somewhere else on the car and you've just some base or pearl dust that settled out in the shop. All that fiberglas generates a lot of static which sucks in stuff in the air. Whenever I showed my Vette I used a large string duster on it probably 6 or 8 times during a show.

I have crystal red metallic 3 stage paint. Right now it looks great. Do you think I have anything to worry about? I'm concerned I removed too much clear coat

If you were just hand polishing on that I would find it hard to believe you punched through that clear. I had a factory recall on my removable hard top on my 06 (I had the dual option clear and solid color roof). To their credit (yep, mine was a tri coat as well) the dealer requested the whole car just make sure the new roof shell would match. When I got the car back I had an ultra fine red dust (I'm assuming the pearl coat) stuck just about everywhere. Took me about 2 hours to get it off the car.

If you do have base-clear and you can see red on your pad after polishing you have no clear coat left and the paint would look totally dull.

Yeah, I would agree with that.... if the clear wasn't there it would be very noticeable.