Recent paint job

[Ersel]

Hi!
My car was painted back in September of '06 and overall I am happy with it. However, there are a couple of areas with overspray and areas with light scratches in the clearcoat. I do not know if those areas were buffed out enough after he wet sanded the entire clearcoat.
Any suggestions how to get rid of the scratches in the clearcoat and how would I remove the overspray? I did hit the area with a polish by hand for 10 seconds and it did nothing for removing the scratches. By the way there are no swirls in the paint. Just these darn scratches in two areas.
Here is a pic. This pic shows the scratches, but you can't feel them or see them unless the lighting is right (kinda like a swirl).

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Recent paint job

Are you sure those aren't left over sanding scratches?

It's either sanding scratches that were not buffed out or just scratches from someone wiping or rubbing something carelessly, hard to tell from just the picture.

You can try ScratchX by hand but the easiest way to remove them would be by machine. This would be with either a dual action polisher or a rotary buffer.

Do you have a machine polisher? Have you ever used a machine polisher?

[Ersel]

Re: Recent paint job

Are you sure those aren't left over sanding scratches?
They look like it to me, especialy since he touched-up that area after the car was painted.

It's either sanding scratches that were not buffed out or just scratches from someone wiping or rubbing something carelessly, hard to tell from just the picture.
The last person to touch the car was my painter last year, so I would guess it is sanding scratches.

You can try ScratchX by hand but the easiest way to remove them would be by machine. This would be with either a dual action polisher or a rotary buffer.

Do you have a machine polisher?
No
Have you ever used a machine polisher?
No
Any more tips?

[Chex]

Re: Recent paint job

try scratchX. if it doesn't do the job, you'll have to pay to a pro detailer to remove them or learn to live with the scratches.

BTW you can remove overspray with a clay bar. try Meguiar's smooth surface clay kit.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Recent paint job

Any more tips?

We never say, "All Clear Coat Pants Are Hard" on this detailing discussion forum.


We do however say that,

"Generally speaking, most clear coat paints are harder than traditional single stage paints"


Another way of saying this is that chances are very good that the clear coat paint on your new Chevy or Honda is harder than the paints that were sprayed back in the 1960's and 1970's, like on a 1966 Mustang, or on a 1975 Corvette.

What this means to you, when you try to remove scratches out of the clear coat, is that it's highly likely that it's going to be difficult when working by hand versus easy.

You can try ScratchX by hand, it can and will work if you understand the correct techniques, if you can't remove them by hand using ScratchX then they will have to be removed by machine.


"Polishing paint is an art form, not a quick, easy wipe-on, wipe-off process"

We all like the durability modern paints offer, that's in part a function of the material used to make modern paints which is in part the hardness feature, but it makes it more difficult to remove below surface defects out of these types of coatings, and it for sure takes the fun out of working on your car.

Give ScratchX a try, and let us know how you do.

[Ersel]

Re: Recent paint job

I bought and tried ScratchX and it may have helped a little, but can't really tell a difference. I did it by hand and only rubbed it in for about 5 seconds or so and buffed it off by hand for about 3 seconds.
Any other thoughts?

[Jeepster04]

Re: Recent paint job

I bought and tried ScratchX and it may have helped a little, but can't really tell a difference. I did it by hand and only rubbed it in for about 5 seconds or so and buffed it off by hand for about 3 seconds.
Any other thoughts?

Need alittle more passion than 5 sec.

[Chex]

Re: Recent paint job

This should be said by Mike, not by me, since he's who has taught many people in here about this rule with scratchX:

ScratchX is not a wipe on, wipe off product. the diminishing abrasives must be worked into the finish for it to work as expected.

this is what makes lots of people get frustrated when using scratchX. Rubbing it for 5 seconds and removing it won't do any significant changes. you need to work it really well; like for a minute or until the product starts to get almost clear. then you've worked it enough.

and apply some "passion" or also known as elbow grease to really remove the defects.

Hope this helps.

[the other pc]

Re: Recent paint job

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

[Graeme]

Re: Recent paint job

When using ScratchX I use a 8 inch square piece of terry towel folded over, I find it has more bite than a foam pad.
Only work a small area at a time, about 1 foot by 1 foot. rub across the scratch and use a fair amount of pressure, rub until it turns clear, wipe off and examine the area, if the scratch is still there keep repeating until its gone.
If you aren't puffing and your arms don't ache, then your not working it properly.