Hi HT, I have a 2000 prelude base in the silver color. I bought it well maintained and garage kept 4 months ago, with a few scratches and maybe 2 or 3 nickel sized paint blisters. Well, I washed it at a coin op carwash using the water sprayer and a new sponge, then I used a car washing towel (it was soft and plushy) to dry it. After that, I spent an hour or two waxing it with a new bottle of clear coat safe McGuires carnuba wax and new cotton towel (for wax). I waxed it gently and brought up the excess wax. It looked great and I paid a lot of attention to the condition of the paint. I saw one 1,5mm paint chip in the middle of the hood.

Well a few days later I walked by my car and saw all kinds of these chips all over the hood. Maybe 7 or 8. Then I walked around the car and saw even more. I live in California, it hasn't rained or been crazy hot, I hadn't even driven it except back from the car wash. I have seen no bubbling or peeling in the paint either. These chips are all about 1mm and go right through the paint to the primer or whatever is below it, they came up clean too, the surrounding paint is just fine. HELP!!

 

There could have been something in the "new" sponge at the car wash. I personally refuse to use the brushes at carwashes for that reason. 9 times out of 10, the last thing people wash are their wheels, and they drop the brush on the ground. My dad destroyed the hood on his brand new tahoe using one of those brushes. I do all my own detailing (and some through my side business); it doesn't make me an expert, but I don't recommend EVER using those type of washes, unless it's for a quick spray down.

Are you sure the paint chips were always there, but just weren't visible because of some dirt?

 

I would never touch my car with the brush. As for the sponge, that was brand new. I think it would have scratched the paint first? These chips are just bugging me.....

 

I apologize; I misread your post. In that case, I'm not sure. I'd have to look at it closely to be able to better assist you!