I recently posted about some "oxidation blemishes" on my paint and was told (I think correctly) that it was the clear coat failing - the "paint" itself was underneath and possibly could be blended back to improve the look. Well, I tried today as advised using a polishing compound and the weirdest thing happened - it smoothed out the area as it should have (and eliminated the dry, crusty "oxidized" ring), but the center of the oxidized region turned WHITE!!! I'm wondering if that's the base coat and the paint had just been so badly damaged that it was thinned through.

I guess it's a full spray job in a few months! I kinda figured, but I don't see any way to fix it other than that. . . overall the paint is good, but there are a few little nicks and dings consistent with a 20-year-old car with 125,000 miles. I'm a hopeless perfectionist, so I know I'll have to get 'em fixed eventually. Just WEIRD!!!

 

While you have nothing to lose, try wet sanding that area with about 600 or higher grit sand paper and rubbing it again. If it's not bad it sounds like a very rough spot that "held" the compound.

 

I'll try it - the weird part is it's glossy now though - maybe the "held" compound then glazed on the top layer from rubbing it? Dunno.