scratch X vs.#4 (by hand)

[specr89]

I have a 1993 civic with lots and lots of bird etchings and rain-etching (on the top) and is literally SWIRL HEAVEN (not an exageration) + a lot of minor-major scratches. Ill take some pics later for u guys to let u know what exactly im dealing with.



Right now, my plan of attack is to

wash
clay
(cleaning steps)
polish with #7
2 coats of nxt tech wax


I plan on ordering all of the neccessary parts at around the end of this month, so i have time to really fine tune my attack. I am planning on detailing my car at the end of june (school+beach vacation among these reasons for delaying). Hopefully pollen season will have subsided by then as well.


now for the ?'s:

For cleaning, I think Scratch X would be the ideal way to go (yes, i know this will take awhile, but im willing to devote the time) But whats the difference between scratch x and #4??? Is #4 only used with a DA?? Or can it be hand-applied using a foam applicator + micro fibers?

Also, is #7 ok to apply by hand??



thanks for the help guys!

[Murr1525]

According to Mike, ScratchX applied by terry cloth is most aggressive by hand.

#7 is fine to apply by hand, and could be a bit easier that way.

Depending on where you order supplies from, you could try a #21 sample. I really like it so far, a little more than NXT.

Hopefully you will be able to get a DA eventualy, so you only have to ScratchX one car ever.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Just to chime in here....

Meguiar's #4 Heavy Cut Cleaner is a very aggressive compound that is to be applied with a rotary buffer only. Applying by hand may haze the finish, requiring the use of a rotary buffer to restore the gloss.

Here are a couple of links that may help:

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

How To Remove Swirls By Hand



Tim

[specr89]

k thanks for the help guys. yea thats what i was afraid of about the #4.




Another question. For scratch x, should i apply with the meguairs foam applicator pad, or a plain old terry cloth?

[TH0001]

Maybe use both a terry cloth and a applicator. Using the cloth with give the scratch X more bite, both initially and at the end which may leave alittle marring behind. Followed by an applicator with the pad will remove the marring left behind by the cloth.

So use the cloth for aggresive cutting, per say, then use the foam pad for a more perfect finish.

[Monk]

Re: scratch X vs.#4 (by hand)

Originally posted by specr89
I have a 1993 civic with lots and lots of bird etchings and rain-etching (on the top) and is literally SWIRL HEAVEN (not an exageration) + a lot of minor-major scratches. Ill take some pics later for u guys to let u know what exactly im dealing with.



Right now, my plan of attack is to

wash
clay
(cleaning steps)
polish with #7
2 coats of nxt tech wax


I plan on ordering all of the neccessary parts at around the end of this month, so i have time to really fine tune my attack. I am planning on detailing my car at the end of june (school+beach vacation among these reasons for delaying). Hopefully pollen season will have subsided by then as well.


now for the ?'s:

For cleaning, I think Scratch X would be the ideal way to go (yes, i know this will take awhile, but im willing to devote the time) But whats the difference between scratch x and #4??? Is #4 only used with a DA?? Or can it be hand-applied using a foam applicator + micro fibers?

Also, is #7 ok to apply by hand??



thanks for the help guys!

Fuuny you should ask. Mike passed around a panel with a dab of ScratchX and #4 at the detail class. ScratcX felt like handcream and #4 felt like handcream with fine sand in it.