Advice on removing scratches / swirls

[swamper8]

Re: Advice on removing scratches / swirls

Instead of using M83 and M80, maybe give our new Ultimate Compound and SwirlX a try instead?

You use them the same way and their available at most auto parts stores...

OK thanks. Do you have pad recommendations for ultimate compound and swirlX? Which one is more aggressive (Which one would I use first?) Do I need to clean the surface between these products or just wipe down?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Advice on removing scratches / swirls

Meguiar's always teaches,

"Use the least aggressive product to get the job done"

The key factor to a scratch is its depth. The way you remove scratches is to remove some paint off the surface until you level the surface with lowest portion of the deepest scratches.

From Hot Topics

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...

So start with SwirlX and one of our yellow foam polishing pads and polish out a section about 16" square or so... then inspect your results in good lighting and see if the defects you're trying to remove have been removed as compared to the paint surrounding your test spot, and then make sure the paint is clear and glossy. If it is, you just dialed in a process you can successfully use around the rest of the car. If you're not seeing the results you want then post back here what you're seeing.

Be sure to read these,

How To use: G110 - G220 - G100 - PC/Porter Cable - UDM
If you're moving up to machine polishing, be sure to read the below thread before starting...
Tips & Techniques for using the G110, G100, G220 and the PC Dual Action Polisher
(These are all similar tools)

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Cleaning Your Pad On The Fly

Which products need to dry before removing?

How to tape-off a car

How to apply product to the face of your foam buffing pads

The Swipe Test

Final Wiping Techniques

How to maintain your car's finish in-between polishing sessions

How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your camera

Then go do some of this -->

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Advice on removing scratches / swirls

Instead of using M83 and M80, maybe give our new Ultimate Compound and SwirlX a try instead?

You use them the same way and their available at most auto parts stores...

[swamper8]

Re: Advice on removing scratches / swirls

Wow thanks! That's good info. I found a little more myself. I will follow your steps. I've been eyeballing a 110 anyway, can you recommend pads and cleaner/polishers?

I thought maybe a M83 cleaner/polisher (I've got a lot of scratches), then move to a M80, then think about waxing? Would I need a additional step between the M80 and waxing? (like scratchX or something) If these are good substances, what pads would you recommend? Would a w-8006 foam pad work for both the M83 and M80? Do I need a more aggressive pad with the M83 and a softer pad with the M80?

[Murr1525]

Re: Advice on removing scratches / swirls

1. Wash - Godo quality car wash, 2 buckets, quality towels/sponges ,etc.

2. No

3. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit

4. Clean - Using a DA, or working by hand is up to you. You dont want one of the $15 buffers from Walmart, so you are either going to want to work by hand, or look into a G110/PC7424 that is in the ~$150 range. There would be nothing wrong with going out and buying a bottle of Ultimate Compound and some applicators, and doing a test spot/panel. You might find your paint is easy to work on, or you might find you need a machine....

5. Polish - Using a pure polish or glaze is optional. #7 Show Car Glaze is pretty top of the line, though Deep Crystal Polish is pretty quick and easy to use.

6. Wax - 2 thin coats of wax are best. Nxt 2.0 is a good choice.

Here are some other random links, which hopefully will help. Yeah, there are a few new products, but the basic techniques remain the same.

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

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

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

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[swamper8]

Good afternoon everyone,
I came across this website and consider it the holy grail of information. Having said that I still haven't found the exact post/thread which will walk me step by step (tools/products/technique) through removing scratches/swirls from my car. I did watch the 5 youtube videos on colorsanding/buffing (machine buffing) but think maybe a DA will be better for me.
I recently purchased a 05' Altima, and the car has tons of light scratches/scuffs and swirls. Very few (if any) catch my nail if I run it over the scratch, so I figure these are just in the clear coat only.
From reading other posts, this is what I figure I need to do:
1.) Wash and dry the area where I will be working

2.) Possibly use a chemical to remove wax from the car? (I did not read this but it was suggested to me by a local automotive paint dealer)

3.) Clay bar the vehicle to remove surface impurities/contaminants

4.) Use DA or machine to remove swirls and scratches

5.) Glaze and/or wax vehicle to protect work

My biggest question mark is do I use a DA? If so what pads / compounds do I start with and which do I finish with? What is the step by step process to do this (I.E. do I need to clean the surface with a special cleaner between the polish stage and wax stage? or between the clay bar stage and cut/polish stage etc.)

I'm sure there's a thread somewhere that I haven't come across yet, there's just a HUGE amount of material to surf through on this site!