Scratch X + Me = Big Mess

[Accident]

My girlfriend has a Black car that is covered in swirl marks. I've been reading around and have heard that scratch x is good for swirl marks and I have seen some very nice results. i have read these two threads:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7011

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1516

and I have found the first to be more helpful because I am working by hand. After reading these threads and searching for more dealing with scratch x I decided to go and try it out on her car, feeling pretty confident. I think my biggest problem is that I didn't work it against the finish, because I don't have any idea what that is. Also, how hard should I be pushing when applying the product. I tried both, pushing hard and soft and in between, but it only seemed to leave more swirl marks than I started with. Does anyone know of any other threads to help me out or some suggestions as to how to apply it and what against the finish means? Thanks

[SiriusRIMZ]

Post some pics.

Scratch-X Has Diminishing Abrasives, that do not instill swirls, but they help remove some paint around the small scratches to smooth and remove the swirls.

What are you applying the Scratch-X with, I'd reccomend using a Foam Applicator pad, as this will not scratch or mar your paint.

[Murr1525]

You may be dealing with very soft black paint as well. I would recomend the Hi-Tech Applicator that Siriuz mentions.

You will have to try two things. One, making sure that you work the product long enough for all the abrasives to break down. Two, you may even need to step down to a milder cleaner like ColorX, which wont require pushing as hard into the paint.

[Accident]

It is a clearcoat paint, they are generally hard right? Also how long is long enough to let the abrasives break down, do I let it sit on the paint for a minute before I start working with it? Thanks for the help, I'll see if I can find a meguiars applicator - the stores around here are pretty limited when it comes to rags/foam applicators, especially meguiars.

Also, I can't seem to get any good shots of the swirl marks, I'm not much of a photographer.

[Murr1525]

Clearcoats are generaly harder then single-stage paints, but there is no set rule.

You'll want to work ScratchX intothe paint right away. It is not supposed to dry on the paint.

What kind of car is it?

[LiquidBlack]

From what ive seen, here is a good technique.

Put some scratchX on the foam applicator and spread it around over about a 6x6 or 8x8 area. After its been spread, use heavy up and down movements until it begins to dissappear. Add more scratchx onto the pad, and repeat a few times.

After doing this a few times, use a clean, high quality microfiber cloth to wipe off the ScratchX.

[Mosca]

Terry applicators can leave swirls with ScratchX. Use a clean foam applicator for best results. I always try to get Meguiar's applicators, but any brand will do.


Tom

[Accident]

Its a 97 Kia Sephia. I'll go out, probably today, and try to find a foam applicator. Why shouldn't I let it dry? The back of the bottle says to let it dry before wiping off the excess product. Either way, how hard is too hard to be pushing down. If I push hard will it leave more scratches? Thanks for the help. I've posted some pics of the car in the Show Off area, but you can't see any of the scratch marks.

[Murr1525]

Do Not Use the Tube Directions...

Re-read the two threads you read earlier before you try ScratchXing again. Stick more with those directions.

I have found that not working the product in long enough (ScratchX or PlastX), and not using the foam applicator left scratches behind for me.

[Accident]

I appreciate the help, I tried it on my car, a single stage paint, while it didn't help with swirl marks (I couldn't see any before I tried it) it did brighten the color of my paint a lot, more than the DC paint cleaner did. I'll have to buy a better foam pad, since this one was old and cheap, and try it on my girlfriends car. Thanks again for the help. Hopefully now I can do it right. Oh, and what is the point in having the directions on the back of the bottles if you shouldn't always follow them? Thanks again.

[HammerDown]

Originally posted by Murr1525
Do Not Use the Tube Directions...

So should Meguiars fire that guy...rotflmao.

Lets go Mike...follow (or) not.

[kokketiel]

I tried ScratchX by hand after reading Mike's instructions, just to see how it works.

I was able to de-swirl (mostly) a small 6x6 inch patch on our sliver clear coated Mercedes. It took about 4 or 5 applications (wipe until dry), with a lot of elbow grease, over probably about 20 minutes. I think that is what Mike refers to as "passion". Basically, I believe you can't press too hard - just don't dent the car. I used a Meg's foam applicator and a microfiber cloth to clean with afterwards.

I taped off the area that I worked on, and if you view it against the light, there is a night and day difference in swirls. I doubt that I would be able (physically) to do it over the whole car - it would take days, but I have proven to myself that it is possible to make a major difference in swirls by hand.

I plan to tackle the car with my DA polisher sometime in the spring and see what I can do.

[Accident]

Ok, I went out and bought a few applicator pads and went to work. It took, like kokketiel said, about five applications. I then polished it with DC #2 and waxed it with GC paste. I'll try to post some pictures of the results. Hopefully they will be good. I taped off half of her trunk and worked there. Like kokketiel said also, it was hard and I don't know that I can do her whole car by hand. Maybe one day I'll get a DA polisher, but right now I'm on the short side when it comes to money. Thanks again for the help.

Edit: I got the wax off, but the swirl marks are still there. Could it be the applicator still? (Even coat applicator). Should I redo everything and try another 5 applications? (I know, I ask a lot of questions. Thank you all for answering them for me.)

2nd Edit: I brought the car back to my girlfriend, trunk only half done, and she was thrilled with the results. Yea, there are still swirl marks, but they can't be seen as easily. She wants to do her car one panel at a time. If only she knew the time/effort put into that one side of her trunk. Is there any applicator that will give better results than the even coat applicator? Thanks again for the help.