So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

[Ol' Red]

And it has horrible looking scuff marks on it. Two different areas about 2x2 each. I told him i could probably get it out. I have UC and SwirlX and foam and microfiber pads. Should I use UC and then finish it off with SwirlX?

[Tuck91]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

Do a test spot with SwirlX and move up to UC if necessary.

Might need something in the middle like ScratchX 2.0

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

Remember, least aggressive first. Follow what Tuck says and you will be headed on the right track.

[ziggo99]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

You working by hand or with a DA/Rotary?

[tcope1]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

Question... your friend used a Brillo Pad on his paint? I'd use the UC bottle first as it's larger. Make sure you hit him right in the head with it though. If you miss... then try the ScratchX bottle.

[the_invisible]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

You will most likely need a DA to fully remove brillo scratch marks from a painted surface on an entire car.

Although it is suggested that you should use the least aggressive method before moving onto a more aggressive product, sometimes it is clear to determine whether a repair will need a more aggressive approach or a more gentler combination of products. I've read about twenty threads where people try to remove Brillo marks from a painted surface, and the damages are usually repaired with a rotary and a wool pad.

[Tuck91]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

You will most likely need a DA to fully remove brillo scratch marks from a painted surface on an entire car.

Although it is suggested that you should use the least aggressive method before moving onto a more aggressive product, sometimes it is clear to determine whether a repair will need a more aggressive approach or a more gentler combination of products. I've read about twenty threads where people try to remove Brillo marks from a painted surface, and the damages are usually repaired with a rotary and a wool pad.

The brillo marks are not on the entire car, he states that it is in two different areas only about 2x2 each in the original post.

Where have you seen threads that state the use of a rotary and a wool pad are the most effective at removing brillo marks?

Im just curious as I want to learn a thing or two.

[Calais]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

Start with UC, you might have to find some M105. If working by hand, I don't know how much you can do; but for machine application you should be able to get most of the marks out with either two compounds. I would honestly start with M105 and just work it as long as necessary to remove the marks (even though it is definitely not the least aggressive method).

[Michael Stoops]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

A brillo pad???? Yikes, that's a new one! We've seen people who've gotten pretty aggressive with ScotchBrite pads to the point of doing irreparable damage to the paint. Keep in mind that if you can feel the scratches inflicted by this process, then buffing alone is going to be a very lengthy process. But, geez, Brillo??? Don't be surprised if he's gone through the clear in places and the best you'll be able to do is minimize the appearance of the damage.

Of course, that is ultimately going to be determined by how long he scrubbed, how hard he scrubbed, and how hard the paint is.

Any chance of snapping some pictures of the damage and, eventually, the correction process?

[Calais]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

I just went in my kitchen for a drink and looked at the brillo pad sitting near the sink: I think you're probably going to have to wet-sand it and hit it with M105. Or maybe just forget about it if you are worried about the integrity of the clear coat.

Who on earth would think to use Brillo for paint!? With all the trouble we go to to avoid tiny little pieces of grit and microscopically rough cloth it is really disturbing when someone uses such an abrasive medium that I wouldn't use it on my wheel wells on their clear-coated paint.

[Tuck91]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

I would honestly start with M105 and just work it as long as necessary to remove the marks (even though it is definitely not the least aggressive method).

I think you're probably going to have to wet-sand it and hit it with M105.

.

I think its better if we wait for the OP to post a picture of the condition of the paint and how sever it actually is. The thing is when you recomennd things like wetsanding and M105 anyone who stumbles upon this thread who is completly new to detailing may decide to do that to their car for the lightest damage.

Best thing to do right now before recommending anything is to stay safe and start with the least aggressive method to get the job done and wait for the original poster to give us more information and possibly pictures.

[the_invisible]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

The brillo marks are not on the entire car, he states that it is in two different areas only about 2x2 each in the original post.

Where have you seen threads that state the use of a rotary and a wool pad are the most effective at removing brillo marks?

Im just curious as I want to learn a thing or two.

Yup, you are right. I clearly did not read the sentence that he mentioned about the 2x2 damage area. I may not have read the post at all.

Most of the brillo incidents I read about were on car-specific forums... in cases when people were removing dealer stickers and badges. Twenty may be an exaggeration, but I have read quite a few threads about brillo pads being used on cars.

Even when a rotary was used, in some cases, the repair only minimized the scratches. Of course, if the damage is minimal, a hand application of SwirlX may even take out the brillo scratches. But if someone resorted to using a brillo pad on his/her car, we can expect the person used quite a bit of passion with the brillo.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

I think its better if we wait for the OP to post a picture of the condition of the paint and how sever it actually is. The thing is when you recomennd things like wetsanding and M105 anyone who stumbles upon this thread who is completly new to detailing may decide to do that to their car for the lightest damage.

Best thing to do right now before recommending anything is to stay safe and start with the least aggressive method to get the job done and wait for the original poster to give us more information and possibly pictures.

Agreed.

Plus just something else to think about.... if you wet sand a small section, you will level the paint causing the surrounding paint and its flaws as well as the factory orange peel will stand out like a sore thumb!

Let's see some pictures first as the damage may be easily fixable with far less aggressive methods.

Tim

Tim

[cardriver]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

Questionyour friend...Make sure you hit him right in the head with it though. If you miss... then try the ScratchX bottle.

Gallon-size, correct?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: So my buddy used a Brillo Pad on his Ridgeline...

I just went in my kitchen for a drink and looked at the brillo pad sitting near the sink: I think you're probably going to have to wet-sand it and hit it with M105. Or maybe just forget about it if you are worried about the integrity of the clear coat.

Let's be real careful about throwing out the wet sanding suggestion too casually. We don't want folks, especially inexperienced people, just reaching for sandpaper without fully understanding the repercussions of the process. You think the Brillo pad did some damage, try following that with the wrong sandpaper used the wrong way by someone who's never used it before.

We've had way too many phone in to our call center after attempting wet sanding for the first time, and failing miserably. We'd rather go with a much less aggressive approach and leave the wet sanding to those who know what they're doing.