Using Scratch-X frequently

[cryo]

Hi,

I have been using scratch-x frequently in the past few weeks to remove watermarks on my paint. My question is scratch-x an abrasive polish and will it reduce my clear-coat if used frequently?

Thanks!

[Murr1525]

It is ok to use as much as needed to get the swirls gone over the car.

However, I wouldnt want to use it every week for years. You are going to want to be sure to get the surface to the condition you want, and then keep up the wax protection, dont let water sit for long, etc so you dont have them come back.

[JG_Detailing]

What would be the best pad for it? A foam pad or terry cloth.

[Murr1525]

Both will work. Again, you want to use the least agressive first, so try a foam pad. Then move onto terry cloth.

You may even want to do your first pass or two with terry cloth and your last with a foam pad, just to make sure it is all cleaned up.

Even terry cloth with ColorX is good.

[cryo]

is there any product less aggressive than scratch-x which could remove watermarks? or a chemical based cleaner? Its very hard to prevent watermarks as the climate here is very hot. I've already switched my car wash shampoo to NXT wash and tried to wash as quickly as possible.

[Murr1525]

Well, if you catch it right away, then any cleaner could do it. If you are going to have to get after it that often, then you may want to use ColorX, which is mildly abrasive, or the A-12 cleaner/wax that is chemical only.

That would save you some time from having to re-wax after each cleaning as well if it is so constant.

[Mike Phillips]

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is a non-abrasive, chemical cleaner only, and if applied soon enough may remove the water marks. The determining factor is what kind of water marks are they?

Above surface mineral deposits, or below surface chemical etching? If it's an above surface mineral deposit, then Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner should work fine and afterwards apply some wax as the paint cleaner will remove all of the previously applied wax.

If it's a below surface chemical etching, then you'll need a product like ScratchX which will have the ability to remove a little paint.


From the Hot Topics forum.


There are two basic kinds of water spots,

1) Above Surface Mineral Deposits
2) Below Surface Water Spot Etchings


Type I Water Spots

Type I Water Spots are what Meguiar's refers to as Above Surface Bonded Contaminants. A Type I water spot is some type of deposit, often times a mineral deposit that was in the water source, sitting on top of the surface.

If you have Type I water spots, you can use either a clay bar or a paint cleaner like ScratchX by hand. Clay bars are for removing above surface defects and will typically do a good job of remove Type I water spots/deposits from off the surface. Sometimes you may have to follow the claying process with a paint cleaner like ScratchX to completely remove all traces of where the mineral deposits attached to the finish.

Type I Water Spots






Type II Water Spots - Etchings below the surface
Type II Water Spots are what Meguiar's refers to as Below Surface Defects. A Type II Water Spot is actually an etching in the surface where whatever was in the water was strong enough in it's chemical composition to actually eat or dissolve the paint and thus etch into the paint.

If you Type II Water Spots, you can use a paint cleaner by hand such as ScratchX, or a machine applied product such as a compound, paint cleaner, or cleaner/polish to machine clean the finish, removing a small amount of paint in an effort to level, or smooth out the finish. The goal is to remove just enough paint to level the surface with the lowest depths of the defect.

Just to be clear, removing Type II Water Spots means removing paint. As such, you are limited as to how much paint you can remove. In some cases you may want to check with a seasoned professional for their advise before attempting to remove below surface defects like Type II Water Spots.


Type II Water Spots - Etchings below the surface


Close-up of same photo above

[dballgarage]

Good write-up on water spots. Being new to detailing I din't realize that water could actually etch the paint. (I'll make sure to not park next to sprinklers even more now.)