clay bar or scratchx

[sdp2683]

I recently purchased a black saturn vue with light swirl marks throughout the paint. I keep reading different posts suggesting the best way to get them out. Should I start off with a clay bar, then proceed with the scratchx, then move to a polish, then a wax? Can I skip the clay bar and go right on to the scratchx? any advice would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure this info has been addressed time and time again, but I don't want to mess anything up and I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

Thanks for any information and tips

[gb387]

Re: clay bar or scratchx

Is this a brand new car?

If you are working by hand:
ScratchX is going to be a good option to remove fine swirls and scratches but do some reading if you haven't already....
Here is a thread with lots of great helpful links broken down by method of application: 2008 Meguiar's Online List O' Links 2.0

You are correct on the steps -
Wash and Dry
Clay (if needed)
ScratchX
Polish
Wax

Some help on clay: One easy way to tell if your vehicle needs to be clayed; is to wash and dry the vehicle. Get a sandwich baggie, place your hand inside the baggie and run the baggie and your hand over the surface of the vehicle. If you can feel tiny little bumps on the surface you should clay, if it feels smooth as glass you can skip the clay. If you feel these little bumps they are above surface contaminates and to totally eliminate them clay is the best way to go.

[Carfire]

Re: clay bar or scratchx


Welcome to Meguiars Online!!!

[Murr1525]

Re: clay bar or scratchx

I'd clay... its quick and easy, and gives some of the biggest results.

[sdp2683]

Re: clay bar or scratchx

No, its not new its a couple years old! Thanks for all the information guys I really appreciate it. I can't wait until it warms up outside so I can get started on it. I hate winter!!!

[gb387]

Re: clay bar or scratchx

No, its not new its a couple years old! Thanks for all the information guys I really appreciate it. I can't wait until it warms up outside so I can get started on it. I hate winter!!!

Well if its a couple years old - chances are it hasn't been clayed so I would so it as Murr mentioned its a very easy process and you will be surprised at what is removed!!

[sdp2683]

Re: clay bar or scratchx

Thanks for the information guys, Clay bar it is!!!

[akimel]

Re: clay bar or scratchx

Sdp, have you read this article yet: Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

Within Meguiar's linguistic universe, ScratchX is a paint cleaner.

Which ScratchX product are you thinking of? The old version or the new one, i.e., ScratchX 2.0? The latter is more aggressive than the former (see Aggressiveness Order for New Consumer Products). I mention this because if you have the old version, you may discover that the removal of your swirls may demand a more aggressive cleaner-polish. It's impossible in advance to know which of the consumer-line polishes (SwirlX, ScratchX 2.0, Ultimate Compound) would be most appropriate for your paint. Do a test spot first!

After the application of ScratchX, your car most likely will be ready for the application of wax. You can, if you choose, apply a pure polish (e.g., Deep Crystal Polish or #7 Show Car Glaze), but this is optional.

Cheers,
Al