When the DA doesn't ....

[rdavis]

I have a bus/motorhome that got too close to a tree at a campground recently, and I have a set of scratches about 10 ft long in the paint.

I don't own a rotary, so I tried my DA with #83, which helped immensely, but did not completely remove the scratches. I don't believe they are all the way into the paint, but certainly got the clear coat really deep.

So, I assume my option here is to get a rotary.

Question is where to buy this stuff now? I live in Lake Forest, and there used to be a Meguiars about 3 miles away. I went there Monday and the shop was padlocked!

I understand the Irvine office doesn't have a store. So, where could I purchase the right stuff to get this done? I have #82 and #82 here with my DA.

What should I start with?

Thanks

[the other pc]

Hi rdavis, to MOL.

A rotary may (or may not) be the best tool for your job but if it is it needs to be used with skill and respect. Spend some time reading on the subject around here. There's lots of good info (and a fair number of cautious warnings).

Another option is to live with it. If the scratches are too deep into the clear removing them will compromise the clearcoat's integrity. If that's the case, buffing them out may look great initially but the paint will fail prematurely.

Can you feel the scratches? Can you catch a fingernail on them?

If they don't seem to be too deep you can use Meguiar's dealer locator to find vendors in your neighborhood. PBE stores don't tend to have the best prices on buffers (the last one I was in wanted straight list for a Makita 9227, ) so it pays to shop around. I usually go to Western Tool (formally Abbey Tool) in Anaheim for power tools but there may be some discount tool suppliers in South County, I haven't looked.

Detailing Depot (a.k.a. The Carnuba Store, or Marco-Distribution) in Costa Mesa carries Meg's Pro products and has good prices on buffers too.


PC.

[Newport Viper]

Here is the best deal on a very light weight rotary!

coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/hitachi/sp18va.htm?L+coastest+xytw6385fff6aff6+1145127807

[edited for commercial link;2hotford]


PS I just bought it from them a month ago for $95. See If they will drop the price. Can't hurt to ask.

Then get a backing plate and pads from Meguiars.


Rotary Buffer Backing Plates
W64 ....................5 (For use with 6.5) $18.99 add to cart

[RZ Autodetailing]

Hey Viper, i saw that deal a few weeks back, but didnt pull the trigger. How do you like the hitachi.....let me know..Ill wait for that deal again or give them a call and see if i can get that sale price..not a bad deal for a name brand rotary..

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by RZ Autodetailing
How do you like the hitachi.....let me know..

Same here!

[rdavis]

Thanks everyone for the replies. PC, no I can't really feel the scratches, they are just now slightly visible, and only from the correct angle. But, it's just that I KNOW they are there!!

I'll check both Coastal and Detailing Depot. I had called Meguiars tech support, and they gave me the name of a paint store down off Crown Valley in Mission Viejo. Sure wish they hadn't closed the Lake Forest store. That was nice having it so close!

thanks
ray