Help with scratches

[magnus]

Help!

I'm working on my 66 Mustang and need some help.

I've washed and clayed (horizontal surfaces) the car, and started with the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner with my PC.

I found that the paint looked cleaner and shinier, but did little to remove any scratches. I broke out the ScratchX, but nothing improved.

I'm afraid the scratches are too deep to bother continuing. My local dealer has some DACP, but will that do any further work than the DC Paint Cleaner (with 8006 pad)? The DACP is rather expensive ($20/qt local) and I don't want to waste my time if I won't achieve better results.

I do not have, nor know how to use, a rotary buffer, so other products are pretty much out of the question.

Will a stronger pad help? Am I going to have to resort to sanding (please do not say yes)? What other options do I have?

I'm going to run out and see if I can get a good photo of the hood to show my problem.

[magnus]

The scratches...

I couldn't get a good shot in the garage with flourescent lighting, so I had to pull it outside.

As you can see, scratches abound. Yes, it is white. Yes, I know it isn't pure white — it is Ford's Wimbledon White, the original paint color.

[Rockpick]

Has this vehicle ever been repainted? If so, does it have clearcoat?

[magnus]

Yes, it has been repainted (original color). I'm not sure, but I do believe that it is clearcoated.

The previous owner to a lot of restoration (rebuilt engine, redo of the interior, new paint, etc.). I believe I remember him telling me that he had a decent paint job put on it, with clearcoat. I'm not 100% on that.

There is no evidence of paint removal on my pads or towels, so I assume that it is clearcoated.

The Mustang does polish up well. I just want to get rid of the scratches, in order to make it look even better.

[magnus]

Ok, the day is running out and I need to make a decision:

Do I continue with cleaning, polishing, waxing (DC system) and try to deal with the scratches at a later date?

Or should I hold things off for now, cover up the Mustang, and park it? It's a garage queen that only gets driven 2-3 times per month.

[2000]

I'm going to say that your best bet is to use #83 with the pc and a polishing pad. I know of some people that has used the cutting pad on their pc, but meguiars doesn't recommend it. if that doesn't acompilish it, I would say it's going to take a rotery to get it done. be perpered that you might what to go behid the #83 with #82 or #9 before your LSP.

[magnus]

Off to the store I go!

2000, you raised three questions for me:

- Is the #82 or #9 necessary? I'm assuming to remove marks that the DACP makes?

- I was planning on using Step 2 of the DC line, which is a pure polish after the DACP. Obviously the first question needs to be answered first; then, is the DC polish necessary after #82 or #9, and will it add anything?

- What is the difference between #82 & #9?

[Mike Phillips]

Hi magnus,

Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy on other projects behind the scenes...

The scratches in the pictures look like the kind that the #83 will remove using the PC/W-8006 combo on the 4.5 to 5.0 setting.

Mike

[2000]

Originally posted by magnus
Off to the store I go!

2000, you raised three questions for me:

- Is the #82 or #9 necessary? I'm assuming to remove marks that the DACP makes?

- I was planning on using Step 2 of the DC line, which is a pure polish after the DACP. Obviously the first question needs to be answered first; then, is the DC polish necessary after #82 or #9, and will it add anything?

- What is the difference between #82 & #9?

#82 and #9 are very similar. #82 has alittle more polishing oil in it I believe, but they're so close you probably wouldn't notice the difference.

is it necessary? on white probably not, on black probably.

If you already have step 2, I would think #83 than step 2 should do you good unless you have some micro marring left after the #83, but I doubt you will with white. post some after shots when your done. good luck!

[scrub]

82 and 9 are similar on the abrasive scale. I think 9 is more of a cleaner than 82.

Good luck!

[magnus]

Almost, but not quite.

Finished the #83. Some of the scratches are gone, and it is a little glossier, but it isn't perfect. I guess either a rotary or sanding will have to get the rest out.

Thanks for all your help thus far!

Inside garage. Just finished DACP. No polish, no wax.


Reflection outside. Sun is too low to get a good shot of the scratches that are left after using DACP.

[2000]

still a great improvment. just as a question are you sure you worked the #83 as long as you can? some people can really rock with a pc, but I usally have to get the rotery out for the first step.

[magnus]

I worked it in a 2-foot section until it started drying.

I started out with the PC set at 4.0, but then moved to 4.5, and then 5.0.

When I started, I even worked one section three times to see if any difference was made. None was.

I do not know who or where the paint job was done. I do know that the masking could have been done better. From my estimation and examination of the paint, it almost looks as if the marks were made prior to clearcoating. I could be wrong though.