Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

[Snipester]

Hi Detailers,

I bought a black camry SE about a two months ago.

During this time the following happened to the cars paint:

-Detailed by dealership quickly before I drove off with it (was a showroom car)
-Washed by dealerships wash bay (looked like they used a fairly dirty rag to dry)
-I took it to a professional detailer (very $$ and they did a "Reasonable job" but i could still see some scratches here and there)
-I managed to find a touchless carwash and washed my car two weeks ago which included spray on wax/polish/rainx supposedly.
-Today I did only a basic touchless wash and noticed that there are plenty of light swirls as well as slightly deeper short scratches less than an inch covering the car.

I'm guessing it must be the meg's microfiber i was using to dry the car causing this.
-What do you guys use to dry your car without scratching it?
-Also when drying the inside of the door, trunk and foot piece in the door jam does your cloth turn black?
-Are you supposed to have a dedicated cloth for this?

I bought a 100% cotton towel but it just seemed to deposit alot of dust on the car.
My apartment doesnt have a wash bay and I cannot seem to find a fresh water hose to wash your car in seattle. Touchless wash just seems like the best option.

So after finding out about the scratches all over I proceeded to give swirlX a try on top of my trunk lid. (I bought the gold class megs detail kit from amazon+swirlx+#7 polish+all wheel cleaner)

The swirlx seemed to work getting the circles out but there remained the short linear scratch marks. Also it seemed to take a lot of product/effort to get it to do anything. The camry is a big car so I wonder how many bottles I will need to cover all the panels.
-The kit included scratchX2.0. I plan on giving this a shot, is UC the next step? Also, is the product supposed to be smooth when applying or feel like you are applying cream to skin (slightly dry/abrasive)?

After this I pulled out the #7 polish. I noticed it is brown and very thick. It is so thick that it started ripping the fibers off my microfibre which caused them to stick to the surface. Also applying using a microfibre cloth is a pain since if i hold on to the top of the cloth, the bottom just stays. (its like glue?)
-Is the polish supposed to be like this or more consistent with swirlX like creamy? There was some waxy like brown stuff stick to the top of the bottle when I opened it so i just shook it for awhile.

Finally I pulled out the Megs Gold class liquid wax. It was creamy and sticky but not as bad as the #7. I wiped up the area, let it sit for a few minutes and wiped it off. It gave a SUPER smooth finish with a very slight bluish reflection color. I really liked that smooth feeling.

I also detailed the interior using quik interior detailer and I thought it was an ok product. I wish it smelled as good as the liquid wax though. It had alcoholy feel to it. It was easy to spray and wipe everything down.

Finally I used Stoner IG to clean the windows, which worked mostly as expected.

I'm hoping someone could give me a few pointers on what I am doing right/wrong product wise and method wise so I can get the result I want. (no scratches, polished, and good protection with wax)

I applied swirlX with the megs foam pad.
The others I used cobra micro fibers.
I dryed the car with a Megs microfiber (there is a fan which blows at the end of the touchless so there is less water on the car)
I also applied gel to the tirewalls using a cotton cloth and also wiped the alloys with another cloth

Thanks.
-Brian

[Eddie6th]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

Sounds like an awfull lot of scratches for a new car.You said that the car was taken to a detailer and he didn't remove all the scratches.

You mentioned scratching using Meg's microfibres.I use these all the time and they do not scratch.Something must have been between the cloth and your paintwork,to cause scratching.

SwirlX is quite mild.If you try with scratchX 2.0 or Ultimate compound,then you might get better results.You'll probably need to put more effort if you couldn't get it to work before.How deep are these scratches?Can you provide some pics?

I think you might have created some of these scratches by bad technique,either in washing or drying ontop of the ones at the dealership.Watch this video first:

http://www.webridestv.com/showvideo.aspx?video=43655

[RGP]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

I'm suspecting that, although you may be hesitant to admit it or don't recall, that being limited by your apartment situation, that you're dry wiping your car to periodically clean it of light contaminants. I see no reference to using a Quik Detailer, but I may have missed it someplace in all that information.

I don't know beans about rinse less washing. Not a critic; I just never did it.

I've quickly learned that aside from a light cleanup with a California Car Duster, that I never, ever touch my finish with anything but a high quality microfiber towel and some sort of product; whether it be detailer, just plain 'ol water, or whatever to act as a lubricant.

Even then, I've apparently got a few tiny, tiny flaws which I'll later this week take out with Scratch X 2.0 or Swirl X.

This sort of damage simply cannot be justified by a dealership's wash guys, or they'd be long gone or the dealership out of business.

You may not recall the many times you may have "just given it a once over" to spiff things up. You may not recall, but your paint never forgets.

Perhaps you'd get more knowledgeable responses if your problems were each targeted. The really knowledgeable guys, of whom I'm not one, could write books on the sundry topics which you've presented.

All I can say with complete certainty, is that it's not Meguiar's or anyone else's microfiber that's adding to your troubles. An abnormal amount of some kind of friction is befalling your finish.

BTW, welcome to the forums. You've certainly come to the right place. You'll find, as I did, that by reading and re reading some of the information contained here, will eventually illuminate you as to proper techniques and solutions. Don't give up, my friend!

[arcticreaver]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

you need the california duster to get most of the dust off before you wipe. and you would need to definitely use ultimate quick detailer to get rid of all the dust that you couldn't get off with the california duster. but if it's too much dust, you are better off washing the car.

that being said, black cars are almost impossible to maintain. you skip one day of dusting and UQD and it's night and day. scratches and swirls will show up easily.

before you went and got it detailed, maybe what you should have done is put on the clear bar all over your car. it's very expensive to do so but it will save you the scratches, small rock chips, and bird poop damages.

u

[Snipester]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

I'm suspecting that, although you may be hesitant to admit it or don't recall, that being limited by your apartment situation, that you're dry wiping your car to periodically clean it of light contaminants. I see no reference to using a Quik Detailer, but I may have missed it someplace in all that information.

You may not recall the many times you may have "just given it a once over" to spiff things up. You may not recall, but your paint never forgets.

Hmm, It is strange but the only time I have touched the entire car was to dry it using the microfiber or the huge body towel.
I have never touched the car by wiping it dry.
When I do dry and actually let the weight of the towel run over the surface. I dont bother buffing the paint. That is why I think it is very strange. The only thing I can think of is that the dealers wash (using a powerwasher + turtle wax mix) and then using a terry cloth to dry caused it. The roof is noticably not as scratched.

This sort of damage simply cannot be justified by a dealership's wash guys, or they'd be long gone or the dealership out of business.

Well, they are toyota's. IF its in a color other than black you can barely see swirls etc... I dont think every toyota owner is that sort of paint enthusiest.

I'm going to try to find some time to take some photos. I'll post them as soon as I can get the photos to show the "issues".

Thanks
Brian.

[Snipester]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers. [Photos added]

Attached are images showing wavy holograms?
and also the spiders.

I also attached a photo where it appears there is nothing... obviously dependent on lighting. At night are in indirect sunlight you cant really see these "defects". There is dirt (to be cleaned) and rock chips on some of the photos. Those I am going to take care of with touchup + langka.

So the paint quality over the entire car is similar to these photos.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

They look like swirls + buffer trail holograms to me. Someone at some point hit this car with a rotary...

[Snipester]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

They look like swirls + buffer trail holograms to me. Someone at some point hit this car with a rotary...

Yes, the detailing place must have used a rotary.

So, is the following the correct strategy still?
-Wash car
-Use SwirlX, ScratchX 2 or UC as appropriate to take out the scratches (then step down as required)
-Use some polish (#7)
-Finish up with gold class liquid wax

I plan on taping off an area and giving it another shot with scratchX maybe today to see if it helps any.

[RGP]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

I plan on taping off an area and giving it another shot with scratchX maybe today to see if it helps any.

Hi Snipe,

I'll anxiously await both your results and details about the application process. I plan on taking out the errant tiny scratches here and there, but I'm still waiting for the products to arrive. Some befores and afters would be really appreciated!

Thanks a million...

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

Yes, the detailing place must have used a rotary.

So, is the following the correct strategy still?
-Wash car
-Use SwirlX, ScratchX 2 or UC as appropriate to take out the scratches (then step down as required)
-Use some polish (#7)
-Finish up with gold class liquid wax

I plan on taping off an area and giving it another shot with scratchX maybe today to see if it helps any.

Looks like a solid plan

[Snipester]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

So I finally got around to trying out the Scratch X2.0 after swirlX did not smooth out all the scratches on my trunk.

It worked half the trunk pretty well (applied twice) but there were still just a few deeper scratches still visible (about 10 or so on one side of the trunk).

Should i try to spot clean using scratchX or do I need a stronger product?

Also I'm trying to figure out where all of these scratches are coming from originally. I'm thinking the microfibers I'm using to dry are causing scratches. I use a microfiber to dry the entire car and a terry cloth to dry the door jambs but it seems even the door jambs now have some light scratches.

What do you guys use to dry your car? Is it just because I dont have a proper coat of wax causing this?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

To dry, I use "the Absorber" then follow up with a water magnet.

Are you applying a lot of Passion behind the Scratch-x?

What type of applicator are you using?
You might have to use a terry cloth applicator, if your using a foam applicator. (terry cloth has a little more bite)

Try the scratch-x again. Put some passion behind it. If your not seeing the results you want. You may have to step up tp The Ultimate compound.

These products work well. There is no magic wand. A lot of times, you will find multiple applications are needed to get the results you desire.

[yalerd]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

I will concentrate on those scratches and see if you can remove them, if not, then you'll need a more aggressive product to remove them if they are not too deep.

As for the scratches and the origin of them, some of them are going to be more noticeable when you have removed the majority of them and some still remain. Don't dry with a terry cloth towel, stick with a microfiber towel and remember not to push too much when drying/removing the products

[cardriver]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

I must add:

I just cant believe that some people can call themselves "detailers", or the "detailing dept" and leave such carnage with a rotary and be proud of, or charge for their "services". What a shame. How many times have we seen this...

Good news is your paint can be corrected...it just has to be by the right people, using the right supplies and the right technique .

[Snipester]

Re: Got some scratches. Need some pointers.

I cant really believe it either. The amount of swirls is quite ridiculous. This is a relatively new car (3mo) and it has swirls all over the place.

When I applied my towels, I do not rub hard on the surface. Basically I hold the microfiber along two corners and drag it along to dry the car. When I did notice very light scratching it was in straight lines and not swirls. I can only asusme the swirls were caused by the detailer . It wasnt a cheap detail either.

I'll try to give my trunk a nice retry and report back. Maybe I willl have some time to work on the hood as well.

I guess the real lesson learned is, don't trust anyone to detail your car unless its he/she is an enthusiast.

BTW, I am getting some white product stuck in crevices (either its soap or one of the meg's products) and my towels/finger is not narrow enough to clean into these crevices. Do you have to bring out a flattened Qtip or toothpick to clean these areas? The lip spoiler is an attachment and product gets stuck under it easily.