help with scratches!

[mvfregala]

hi guys,

By some moment of idiocy, scotch brite was used to clean parts of my car (satin silver Honda Accord 2002) in the hood and passenger door. Now there are ugly looking horizontal scratch marks in the affected areas which appear lighter than the current silver. Could anyone tell me the right way to proceed in removing these scratches? I just ordered Scratch-X over the internet. Thank you very much and any help appreciated.

[Murr1525]

Re: help with scratches!

Ordered from where? I'd probably try to cancel the order....

You really want ScratchX 2.0 at least, or even Ultimate Compound.

As far as what to do, here is a video from using the original ScratchX. The idea stays the same, spread the product on a small area, and work it in.

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

[Mike Phillips]

Re: help with scratches!

In case you didn't know, we have a new version of the ScratchX out called ScratchX 2.0 and it uses completely different abrasive technology that enables you to work faster and with better results then the regular ScratchX. (There is no number on the previous version).

When you go to work on your car you want to only work small areas at at time, anywhere from 8" square to about a foot squared. When you're trying to remove swirls and scratches you're trying to remove a little paint and because modern clear coats trend towards being harder than traditional single stage paints you can't tackle huge sections at a time you you wont get anywhere.

You want to apply some pressure to the applicator pad because you are trying to remove small particles of the clear coat paint but don't push so hard that you put in fingermarks.

You should be working the product rather quickly with the firm pressure, not slowly like you're applying a finishing wax.

Just be sure to work small sections at a time. Take a panel like your hood and break it up into small sections and be sure to overlap your sections when finished with one section and moving to a new section.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: help with scratches!

Make sure you can make one small spot look good before going over the entire car.

TEST SPOT

Doing A Test-Spot

Before going over the entire car, see if you can make just one small section look good, that is apply the product you're planning on using over the entire car to just one small section about a foot squared or so. Work it in and then wipe it off, then apply the polish, work it in but not as much as the compound because now you're not trying to remove paint, just spread the product out, then immediately wipe it off, then apply the wax and let it fully dry and then wipe it off.

Now inspect our results. Make sure you can make one small section look GREAT before going over then entire car. If you can't make one small section look GREAT you won't be able to make the entire car look GREAT.

Make sense?

It should look like this,




And if you're having any problems, the post back here after the test section and we'll help you tweak your technique to insure you get it right.

[mvfregala]

Re: help with scratches!

Thanks for the quick reply. I bought the ScratchX 2.0 from the official site. Now which applicator pad do I use? The Softbuff foam polishing pad or the Evencoat microfiber pad?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: help with scratches!

You can use either.

I personally tend to go with foam applicator pads at least to start with/test with.

Get a few extra packs because it's nice to have plenty of applicator pads on hand in case you drop one.


Here's what you're trying to do,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7228

[mvfregala]

Re: help with scratches!

Tried the scratchX 2.0. The scratches would totally disappear after 10-15 minutes of rubbing. After a few days however, (with cycles of rain/shine, wet/dry cycles), I would then again see the scratches. It seems that ScratchX has the same effect as applying polish on the coat. The scratches are totally invisible on direct visualization but would appear with light and on some oblique angle. Is that normal and is that the best I could do?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: help with scratches!

Tried the scratchX 2.0. The scratches would totally disappear after 10-15 minutes of rubbing. After a few days however, (with cycles of rain/shine, wet/dry cycles), I would then again see the scratches. It seems that ScratchX has the same effect as applying polish on the coat. The scratches are totally invisible on direct visualization but would appear with light and on some oblique angle. Is that normal and is that the best I could do?

It sounds like you're saying that the ScratchX lessened the appearance of the damage, but didn't completely remove it? If scratches are reappearing in the exact areas as before, maybe only fainter, then you need to up your game with a stronger compound. Ultimate Compound would be your next step forward.