Paint Info?

[wicked1]

I'm doing a touchup on my rear bumper.. It's probably so bad I'll have to take it to a pro, but I'm giving it a shot first.. (It's about 1/4" wide by 3" long scratch, right at the crease in the bumper).

So anyway, I'm putting the base coat down and lightly sanded it, and I noticed wherever I touch the good paint, it immediately removes the top pearl coat. It's like the bumper doesn't have a clearcoat on it at all.. or the clear coat is actually the pearl coat. |
I thought we had base (off white) mid (pearl/flake) and then clear on top.
I'm just barely sanding w/ wet 1000 grit, and I've touched up other cars before, and this one is different. It really seems like there is no clear. (unless the pearl/flake coat is actually considered the "clear" on this car).

Does anyone else know? Or, do I have some previous repair work done on my car? I noticed in the very edge of the bumper, next to where the mud guard attaches, there;s a little paint run! Not sure if factory paint ever has a defect like that.

Thanks for any info.