Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

I would imagine somewhere in the #80 area.

It is just used like any other product... apply it to the pad, spread it on your 1x1ish area, and work it in until it is broken down, then buff off with a towel.

It is not quite as cost effective though as #80 or #83 would be, unless you cant get anything else. The pad alone is going to soak up a fair bit, and you probably want a couple pads for a whole car, so you really could end up using a few tubes to do one car, instead of just getting one bottle of #80.

[benhui86]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

i find scratch X easier to work with if i use a small clean terry cloth wraped in a ball shape... rather than applying it with the foam pad....and the foam pads dont last very long if u use it for scratch X.... and wear a glove or something so u dont get blisters....

[steini]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

#80 would be pretty strong then tho!?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

Let us take a swipe at this...

You want to work the product against the finish hard enough to
remove some paint but not hard enough to instill scratches.

It's a balancing act and each car you work on will be different because each paint system on each car will be different.

In a nutshell, your hand should be moving fast when you apply a product like ScratchX to remove any below surface defect!

Not slow and lethargically, as though you were taking your time to apply a coat of wax.

Clear coat paints are harder than old fashioned lacquer and enamel single stage paints and for this reason --> you <-- have to encourage small particles of paint to leave the surface in an effort to level the surface so that the highest points on the surface become level with the lowest portions of the defects you're trying to remove.


We demonstrate this every Saturday at our detailing classes and we always hear the same remarks from one or two individuals that have tried ScratchX to remove a swirl or scratch in their car's paint but have not had any success. Here's the general comment after watching us apply ScratchX...

"Oh... that's what I was doing wrong"

or

"That's not how I was applying it"


In the last 5 plus years that's been the usual comment. You can learn something from this comment and that's if you're having a hard time removing a scratch or swirls from your car's paint... it's possible it's not the fault of the product but has to do more with the way you're applying and working the product.


"A little technque goes a long ways"


The point being is when they watch us apply it with passion, (which involves a fairly fast hand movement and some perspiration), they realize that when they were simply moving the applicator pad over the surface in a slow, easy going fashion... there's a world of difference in technique as well as in results.

Most people don't apply enough pressure.
Most people simply apply a paint cleaner like ScratchX onto the paint and then spread it around, as though somehow magically the chemicals in the product will dissolve the paint and in essences remove the swirls and scratches.

It doesn't work that way.


--> YOU <-- have to work the diminishing abrasives against the paint; FORCING them to take little bites out of the paint. This is how you remove paint and the way you remove a below the surface defect and that is to remove the paint surrounding the defect to level the surface.

You just can't stand by your car and willy-nilly spread a paint cleaner around and then wipe it off and expect the swirls and scratches to be gone.

It might work with paint that's as soft as butter, like this car with single stage lacquer paint, probably and likely the softest paint in the automotive world.

Before










After










But other than that, and especially if you're working on a modern clear coat, despite the fact that some on our forum might say that some clear coat paints are soft... the word soft is a relative word and clear coats are generally harder than old-fashioned single stage lacquers and enamels.

Also... don't try to tackle half of the hood on your car at one time, instead tackle a section about a foot squared. See if you can make a small area look good, this means, see if you with your hand can remove the swirls and scratches from a small area before doing anything else.

If you can't fix a small area... you surely cannot fix the entire car.

[EV0B0Y691]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

Removing swirls by hand is indeed hard work. How long would it take to remove a swirls from a hood and trunk by hand?

[ianrayburn]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

I have a single scratch (lucky me) about ten inches long on the trunk of my Honda. Before I hit it with SCRATCH X I have some worries about how it will effect the clear coat. I am sure the product will work but what of the clear coat? The scratch is not deep at all. - IAN

2002 Honda Accord SE

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

Can you feel any of it with you fingernail?

If not, then ScratchX should work great. It obviously will have to remove some paint to level the surrounding area, but that little bit of removal will not damage the long term durability of the paint.

[ianrayburn]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I can feel the scratch, but ever so slightly. I suppose I can take a chance. Another question if I may. Do I use Scratch X across the scratch, up & down the scratch, or a circular motion?
______________________________
"self love is not so vile a sin as self neglect."

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

Well, you may only be able to improve the scratch, which isnt a bad thing. Going back and forth in straight lines would tend to let you apply more force, and I think I have seen Mike mention in the past that going back and forth across the scratch can help, kind of cut down the edges at least to make it harder to see.

[ianrayburn]

Re: Scratch-X: How much "passion"?

Thanks for that. As soon as the snow goes, after the "dump" we had this morning, I will let you know the results.
_______________________
"failure to prepare is preparing to fail."