Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

[cozmo]

Hey gang,
I really goofed big time. For some strange reason, I went over the garaged car with Scratch X (after washing), to start the season, and did the whole thing. Small car though. The finish was clayed, Scratch X'd, polished and waxed late last year and was in pretty good shape. Anyway...

Before I could get it off (the Scratch X), a death in the family called me away for several days. Now, I am back and, needless to say, have a mess on my hands. I doubt if I would live long enough to get it off the way I am going, with micro cloths. It will come off, and looks stunning, but it is very slow and hard.

Anyone know of a better way to recover from this disaster?

Larry in Virginia

[CWM3]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Well, the easiest solution is to try getting some quick detailer. You should be able to find the maroon bottle variety in either a Wal-Mart or Target. Even easier to find will be Ultimate Quick Detailer (in a black bottle). While it is overkill in this particular application it is a great product. You can also try another detailer like Turtle Wax ICE.

Basically just mist and wipe. Should do the trick.

In the future you will want to apply ScratchX a section at a time!

[Carfire]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Welcome to Meguiars Online!!
Reapply ScratchX of use something more aggressive like Swirl X or Ultimate Compound.
Unless you are saying the ScratchX dried in which case, I would use some Quik Detailer.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

First off you are supposed to put on and work it in, and then remove the product before going on to the next section, but since you didn't do that, here is what to do.

Take some Quick Detailer, spray it on the scratch x and wipe it off, it should make wiping it off a lot easier.

Once you do that, make sure to apply some wax like NXT 2.0 or any other Meguiar's wax.

Well, the easiest solution is to try getting some quick detailer. You should be able to find the maroon bottle variety in either a Wal-Mart or Target. Even easier to find will be Ultimate Quick Detailer (in a black bottle).

I would not suggest Ultimate Quick Detailer as it is more of a gloss enhancing QD rather than cleaning QD and probably won't do the job quite as well. Stick to Quik Detailer in the red bottle or Last Touch.

[Carfire]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

By the way, I personally have tried ICE, and it looks good a day or so after, but then it stops looking good. Also Polishes are not supposed to protect, that is the job of a wax. Please do not waste your money. (Not as bash, just making a suggestion, and a personal opinion!!)

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

You can wash it really well allso

[CWM3]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

I would not suggest Ultimate Quick Detailer as it is more of a gloss enhancing QD rather than cleaning QD and probably won't do the job quite as well. Stick to Quik Detailer in the red bottle or Last Touch.

This statement is flat out wrong. While I would agree that Last Touch or regular Quick Detailer (as I offered in my post for use) would be better for this use is due to cost effectiveness, not chemical effectiveness. I have used Ultimate Quick Detailer as a removal chemical and there is no difference in performance.

By the way, I personally have tried ICE, and it looks good a day or so after, but then it stops looking good. Also Polishes are not supposed to protect, that is the job of a wax. Please do not waste your money. (Not as bash, just making a suggestion, and a personal opinion!!)

I am not sure why you offered this suggestion. You do know that ICE has a Quick Detailer right? They have a polish as well but there is a quick detailer for use.

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Also you can use Scratch-X again, it can revive it and can remove it.
This has happened before to others and using the same product has been recommended to remove the same product.

[Tuck91]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

This statement is flat out wrong. While I would agree that Last Touch or regular Quick Detailer (as I offered in my post for use) would be better for this use is due to cost effectiveness, not chemical effectiveness. I have used Ultimate Quick Detailer as a removal chemical and there is no difference in performance.


.

Ultimate Quik Detailer will get the job done, but at 9.99 a bottle, why waste it on something like that.

The regular maroon bottle Quik Detailer is half the price and well get the job done just as well,

just trying to point out the fact that it would be more ideal to use a less expensive QD for that intended purpose.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

This statement is flat out wrong. While I would agree that Last Touch or regular Quick Detailer (as I offered in my post for use) would be better for this use is due to cost effectiveness, not chemical effectiveness. I have used Ultimate Quick Detailer as a removal chemical and there is no difference in performance.

I have used UQD to clean off dust and product and have found it to not work near as well as quik detailer or Last Touch. On a clean surface, UQD cleans up much better. Not saying UQD won't work, but it will probably work better using another QD.

[CWM3]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Guys, I think you are reading too much into my posts. I have already mentioned that Meguiars regular Quick Detailer is what the OP should use to remove the product. The maroon bottle of Quik Detailer or Last Touch would be ideal but, if not available for some reason (especially Last Touch), then the OP can fall back on Ultimate Quick Detailer.

Just because we know that UQD is overkill in both price and purpose the OP presumably does not. He/she has the more apparent problem of removing a dried chemical and was asking for help. I offered solutions. There is nothing wrong with using UQD and may just help the OP with this issue. So, if the OP can get Last Touch or QD, great. If he/she can't...there are alternatives out there.

[cozmo]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Thanks a lot, guys. It never would have occurred to me to use QD. That is very interesting, and fortunately, there are two large size bottles of the red QD on hand. Before leaving this post, may I ask two more questions?

Will removing the dried Scratch X with QD leave the finish as good as it would have been had I been able to remove it properly? (Not that I have much choice now)

Just for information: Would QD be a solution to remove dried Deep Crystal liquid polish as well?

Last year, circumstances caused me to have this happen but of course, it was only a rather small area. Just wondering.
Many thanks again.

[cozmo]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Update:

It is not as bad as I thought. It is coming off OK with fresh micro cloths. Yesterday, I was just too tired to rub it properly but today, with renewed strength, it is going OK.

The QD was tried on a small area and it seemed to leave some streaking and smearing that was hard to remove. Well, maybe not a lot, but I do not want any, lol. So I went to work with much passion and a new micro and the results are good. Bet I never let this happen again!

While I am here, would you guys expect a coat of Deep Crystal liquid polish to improve the job? It will be finished with two coats of NXT liquid wax. It looks pretty super just from the Scratch X but it is not much more to use the polish before the wax if it would be worth it.

Any advice for this newbie is appreciated.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Will removing the dried Scratch X with QD leave the finish as good as it would have been had I been able to remove it properly? (Not that I have much choice now)

Maybe, depends upon how hard you have to rub to get it off, if you rub hard then the rubbing action could mar the paint.

You could use ScratchX again and it will clean itself off, that is Apply ScratchX to the stuck-on ScratchX and because it's a paint cleaner it will clean the paint, that is it will remove whatever is on the surface including itself.

Or stick with the Quick Detailer.

Just for information: Would QD be a solution to remove dried Deep Crystal liquid polish as well?

Yes, or soap and water as the Deep Crystal Polish is water soluble. You could also use Deep Crystal Polish or any paint cleaner to remove the stuck on polish.

Last year, circumstances caused me to have this happen but of course, it was only a rather small area. Just wondering.
Many thanks again.

Check out this thread, it will explain which products need to dry and which products don't. If a product is not supposed to be left to dry then the goal is to work the product over and against the paint and then immediately remove it before it dries. It's all explained here, if fact we share this link so often because there is a lot of confusion over which products need to dry and which products don't need to dry that it's a Sticky in our Hot Topics forum.

Which products need to dry before removing?

It is not as bad as I thought. It is coming off OK with fresh micro cloths. Yesterday, I was just too tired to rub it properly but today, with renewed strength, it is going OK.

The QD was tried on a small area and it seemed to leave some streaking and smearing that was hard to remove. Well, maybe not a lot, but I do not want any, lol. So I went to work with much passion and a new micro and the results are good. Bet I never let this happen again!

The streaking will disappear after you apply and remove a coat of wax.

While I am here, would you guys expect a coat of Deep Crystal liquid polish to improve the job? It will be finished with two coats of NXT liquid wax. It looks pretty super just from the Scratch X but it is not much more to use the polish before the wax if it would be worth it.

Any advice for this newbie is appreciated.

Applying a pure polish, (which is what the Deep Crystal Polish is), is an optional step, but most people that love their car like to do the extra step to maximize the gloss and clarity of their car's paint.

Remember, apply a thin coat to small section or just one panel and then remove it immediately.

[cozmo]

Re: Scratch X Disaster (Need help)

Thanks to everyone. I think I have it now. Also, I just ordered a new Power Kit (G-110) and cannot wait to get it! Now for some DA study!