Scratch X and PC

[Ace22]

Hello, I am a noobie to this forum, but have been using Meguiar's products for years. Recently, I was at the Auburn, Indiana car auction, and Meguiar's had their trailer there. After talking with the representative from Meguiar's, I went ahead and purchased the polisher kit. My questions is this: Is it recommended to use Scratch X with the Meguiar's Porter Cable Polisher? The rep. recommended it and said it was the best way to remove swirl marks...actually he went a step further and said that it is better than #7. I searched the posts and could not come up with an answer, so if anyone has an insight, please let me know. Thanks in advance. Oh yeah, by the way, the NXT metal polish rocks!!!

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Ace22,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!


Sometimes people make mistakes, this is one of those times. ScratchX is not recommended for use by machine because it contains a polymer that can become quite sticky on the surface and difficult to remove when subjected to heat.

That said, I have tried ScratchX by machine, both the PC and the RB and have had mixed results. Sometimes the product has been indeed difficult to remove, sometimes it has been no more difficult to remove than any other product. Because Meguiar's knows that this product can indeed become sticky or gummy when heated, we like to take the safe approach and therefor do not recommend using it with the PC.

Our Rep that told you this probably made an honest mistake as even I didn't know you were not supposed to use it by machine until I checked with Mike Pennington, our Director of Training.

The Rep. you spoke with was correct in saying that ScratchX is more effective at removing defects because ScratchX contains a microscopic diminishing abrasive that safely abrades and cleans the paint thus removing defects whereas there are no ingredients intended to abrade paint in the #7 Show Car Glaze.

#7 Show Car Glaze is a non-abrasive pure polish. It's purpose is to create brilliant gloss, not remove defects.

ScratchX is a paint cleaner. Meguiar's definition of the words paint cleaner mean an intelligent replacement for an old-fashioned rubbing or polishing compound. Meguiar's Paint Cleaners, whether for use by hand or machine, start out aggressive enough to gently remove paint, but as the diminishing abrasive is worked into the finish, it breaks down, therefor preventing it from scratching and scouring the finish.

Here are two links with more information,

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

About half way down the article in the above link is some detailed information on the difference between Meguiar's paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes and pure polishes, as well as Meguiar's different waxes.

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

The above article explains how to get good results with ScratchX by hand.

Hope this helps... and again, welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Mike

[Ace22]

Thanks

Thanks for the prompt reply. I actually had rushed home this weekend and used the Scratch X on the entire car...most of it was easy to remove because I tried to use a small amount. In fact, it actually removed a lot of my swirl marks. I then coated with NXT wax. Overall, it worked o.k., but you are right, there were parts that were very diffictult to remove.

I will definitely try #9 in the future...it seems to be the logical choice for swirl removing. Do you think I did any harm by using the Scratch X?

Thanks again and keep up the good work!!!

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Ace22,

You did no harm.

Meguiar's always says,

Always use the least aggressive product to get the job done"

In keeping with that philosophy, #9 Swirl Remover 2.0 is a good first choice for removing swirls, if this doesn't prove effective enough you can always substitute another, more aggressive cleaner/polish.

Mike