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

[Calais]

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

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.

I was hoping that if someone was not too familiar with the term wet-sanding or the processes involved they would certainly know not to try to learn as they go on someone else's vehicle! I still doubt that SwirlX or ScratchX can tackle the deep scratches that a Brillo pad would generally instill. I think UC would be the least aggressive method in this case.

Post pics of the damage. If it is severe, don't be afraid to approach a professional. Post pics in the "Professionals Wanted" thread and look for a Meguiar's detailer.

[Michael Stoops]

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

I was hoping that if someone was not too familiar with the term wet-sanding or the processes involved they would certainly know not to try to learn as they go on someone else's vehicle!

We certainly hope for that as well, but you would be amazed at the things people do sometimes. Like cleaning their car with a Brillo pad. Or wet sanding when they really shouldn't.

You should sit in at our call center for a day - oh, the book we could write!

[Tuck91]

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

I still doubt that SwirlX or ScratchX can tackle the deep scratches that a Brillo pad would generally instill. I think UC would be the least aggressive method in this case.

Perhaps you should wait for the OP to produce pictures and/or a more detailed description of the severity of the brillo pad marks before giving further recommendations regarding what product to start with.

[Jokeman]

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

Chances are you will not have to wetsand. That Honda clear on the ridgeline's is SUPER soft. Should buff out with no issues. Of the 3 that I worked on the paint correctly VERY quickly with a medium polish(Menz P0203. Start with something not too agressive since that clear is so dang soft.

[SVT Lightning]

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

You should sit in at our call center for a day - oh, the book we could write!

Hey Michael....don't you think this would make a great title for a new thread category? "Questions received by the Call Center" Might be good for some laughs!!!

[Michael Stoops]

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

Hey Michael....don't you think this would make a great title for a new thread category? "Questions received by the Call Center" Might be good for some laughs!!!

Yeah...... but there are probably a bunch of ethical reasons why it would, ultimately, be a bad idea.

[Ol' Red]

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

Ok well it may not have been a Brillo pad, I think they may be called Scotchbrite pads like Michael Stoops mentioned. The yellow sponge with a green side that is rough. And my genius friends used the green side while drunk at 4 am to wash the car haha.

[Michael Stoops]

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

Ok well it may not have been a Brillo pad, I think they may be called Scotchbrite pads like Michael Stoops mentioned. The yellow sponge with a green side that is rough. And my genius friends used the green side while drunk at 4 am to wash the car haha.

Even so, we had a new white Toyota Tundra pickup come to a Thursday Night Open Garage a couple of years ago with gouges (scratches is too mild a term, honestly) throughout the hood from a ScotchBrite pad cleaning. We managed to rotary buff, with a wool pad no less, to the point that we restored gloss, but that was it. He left with glossy gouges that were simply too deep to safely repair - last we heard he was going to have the hood repainted. That really was his only hope.

Now, what remains to be seen is just how vigorously your friend applied the ScotchBrite pad to his car. Just as M105 applied lightly by hand is vastly different from M105 applied by a rotary buffer spinning a wool pad at 2000rpm, not ALL contact with ScotchBrite pads are equal either. Fingers crossed for your friend's car.