DC1 or ScratchX?

[Michael D'Angelo]

I know it's probably one of the most debated questions on removing light scratches and swirls by hand, but I wanted to see what everyone thought about my vehicle...

I tried my best to try and get some swirls to come out in the picture! I can say there are swirls present when sunlight hits it right, so that much mean very light swirling. What do you guys think?

[Murr1525]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

I'd go for ScratchX... not sure what the debate is?

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

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How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

[Derrick]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

I would go with ScratchX. DC1 is a chemical cleaner and is only capable of removing very light defects compared to ScratchX which uses diminishing abrasives. Just to note diminishing abrasives are abrasives that start out large and as you work the products they slowly break down becoming finer and finer until you are just polishing with it. When using ScratchX make sure to work on a cool surface in the shape and put some passion behind the pad ( elbow grease ). When removing defects by hand it may take several passes to completely remove the scratches or swirls depending on the severity of the defect and the hardness of the paint.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

Well, I figured I would get ScratchX, but I'm really just using one of the golden rules when it comes for paint correction: "Always use the least aggressive cleaner/polish that will do the job." I guess I will have to try the DC1 and if it doesn't achieve the results I'm looking for, I'll run out and get some ScratchX.

[rebelde33]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

I don't know if it's just me, but DC1 is working much better for me than ScratchX. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but ScratchX doesn't seem to do anything, even when using it with my DA.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

I would go with ScratchX. DC1 is a chemical cleaner and is only capable of removing very light defects compared to ScratchX which uses diminishing abrasives.

FYI

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner also contains diminishing abrasives.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

I don't know if it's just me, but DC1 is working much better for me than ScratchX. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but ScratchX doesn't seem to do anything, even when using it with my DA.

Different products will work differently on different paint systems, that's why it's always nice to have a selection of products on hand to use for Test Spots.

[Murr1525]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

Using the least agressive approach is best, but it must be remembered that ScratcHX is quite mild in the grand scheme of things.

[Derrick]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

FYI

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner also contains diminishing abrasives.

Thanks for the info i dint know that, i could have swore it was solely a chemical cleaner. I wounder where i heard that from now

[asim_296]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

I don't know if it's just me, but DC1 is working much better for me than ScratchX. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but ScratchX doesn't seem to do anything, even when using it with my DA.

Do you mean it can be more aggressive than scratchx?

I used scratchx because I thought it's more aggressive than DC1. unfortunately, I've never reached swirl free finish...

PS: never used DC1 & I'm using my hands for the job.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

I tried my best to try and get some swirls to come out in the picture! I can say there are swirls present when sunlight hits it right, so that much mean very light swirling. What do you guys think?

If it's hard to capture the swirls with a camera that's a pretty good indicator they're light or shallow, it can be hard to captures swirls however and it takes a good camera too. There's a how to article about this here,


How to capture pictures of swirls in your car's paint

(we got it all on this forum)

Well, I figured I would get ScratchX, but I'm really just using one of the golden rules when it comes for paint correction:

"Always use the least aggressive cleaner/polish that will do the job."

I guess I will have to try the DC1 and if it doesn't achieve the results I'm looking for, I'll run out and get some ScratchX.

You're on the right track.

Here's some tips, modern clear coat paints tend to be harder to work on than old-fashioned single stage paints and what this means to you and I when we go out into our garage to work on are cars is that it's going to be harder or more difficult to remove small particles of paint which is how you remove swirls. You also have to do it in a way that you don't put swirls and scratches into the paint at the same time.

So use clean soft applicator pads, either foam or microfiber. Only work a small section at a time, especially when you start. In fact, you should only do a small section as a Test Spot. Do you best with the DCPC in one small area about a foot squared and then inspect. It should look better but not perfect as waxing is the last step and will make the paint look better by building on the results of the paint cleaner.

Let us know how it goes....

[rebelde33]

Re: DC1 or ScratchX?

Do you mean it can be more aggressive than scratchx?

I used scratchx because I thought it's more aggressive than DC1. unfortunately, I've never reached swirl free finish...

PS: never used DC1 & I'm using my hands for the job.

In my case DC1 works better than ScratchX. Like Mike said though it's good to have a nice array of products so you can see which ones work better for your car.