What have I done, and how can I fix it?

[theliman]

Someone recommended Meguiar's Scratch X for some blemishes that looked like paint transfer. Meguiar's worked on one small scratch but on every other, it has left a haze in the area that I was working.

Once I could tell that Meguiar's was not going to solve the scratches, I stopped work and gently wiped off the residue with a soft t-shirt. The pictures are from one day later after rinsing my car.

Is there anything I can do to fix this? I do not have any car detailing equipment. If not, is there anything a professional can do for a reasonable cost? Unfortunately there are now a number of these on my car. This is why I hate doing stuff myself. Hopefully I don't screw things up when I try Langka, which I just got.

[Shawn T.]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

Before we begin to recommend a process lets ask a few more questions.

What kind of applicator were you using?

How much pressure were you using and for how long?

Was this Scratchx 2.0 or the original Scratchx?

And do not worry, if this was left by Scratchx, it can be fixed.

[yalerd]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

Did you use a t-shirt as well to remove the scratches?
If so than chances are that the application method was aggressive to cause this. I suggest getting a foam applicator pad like Meguiar's Foam Applicator Pad and remove the product excess with a microfiber towel

Here is a good nice thread that talk on the technique you need to use when using ScratchX
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

[theliman]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

Before we begin to recommend a process lets ask a few more questions.

What kind of applicator were you using?

How much pressure were you using and for how long?

Was this Scratchx 2.0 or the original Scratchx?

And do not worry, if this was left by Scratchx, it can be fixed.

Thanks

I was using a terry cloth pad. There were definitely moments towards the end where if the scratch did not appear to be going away, I was applying a good bit of pressure. With light pressure and the heavier pressure, I may have used the product for about 15 seconds on a given spot.

It was ScratchX2.0

I am on another forum and the advice I have heard is mainly that these are very small scratches and the recommendations have been polish from some and using a non-abrasive glaze/swirl remover from others. I like the sound of non-abrasive swirl remover (though I'm not sure how it would work).

[yalerd]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

Thanks

I was using a terry cloth pad. There were definitely moments towards the end where if the scratch did not appear to be going away, I was applying a good bit of pressure. With light pressure and the heavier pressure, I may have used the product for about 15 seconds on a given spot.

It was ScratchX2.0

I am on another forum and the advice I have heard is mainly that these are very small scratches and the recommendations have been polish from some and using a non-abrasive glaze/swirl remover from others. I like the sound of non-abrasive swirl remover (though I'm not sure how it would work).

A terry cloth pad is a pretty aggressive application method, so using the same product with a less aggressive applicator, like a foam pad, can restore the finish back.

[Hemin8r]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

The terry cloth is what may have contributed to the hazing. Try a foam applicator pad with the Scratch X 2.0 that you have and go over the area once again. That should clear the paint up. Using a glaze is only going to maybe hide the scratch depending on how bad the scratch is. Once you're done applying the Scratch X 2.0 follow that up with some wax

[theliman]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

The terry cloth is what may have contributed to the hazing. Try a foam applicator pad with the Scratch X 2.0 that you have and go over the area once again. That should clear the paint up. Using a glaze is only going to maybe hide the scratch depending on how bad the scratch is. Once you're done applying the Scratch X 2.0 follow that up with some wax

Oh man. The last thing I will look forward to doing is using more of the product in the same area. But if that's what everyone thinks I should do... (with a foam applicator)

Tell me this, then, please - how long should I be working with it? Should I work it to the point where the product basically disappears, or can I stop after 15 seconds and wipe it off with a microfiber towel? Not sure if stopping early could actually be detrimental.

[theliman]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

Oh man. The last thing I will look forward to doing is using more of the product in the same area. But if that's what everyone thinks I should do... (with a foam applicator)

Tell me this, then, please - how long should I be working with it? Should I work it to the point where the product basically disappears, or can I stop after 15 seconds and wipe it off with a microfiber towel? Not sure if stopping early could actually be detrimental.

Well I talked to Meguiar's and it sounds like I should in fact be using Meguiar's again, but with a foam pad, but also for 1.5-2 mins. So I'll be trying that. Thanks to all!

[paul.segovich]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

I'm no expert, but most Meguiars polishes/cleaners have diminishing abrasives. It seems to me that you didn't work the product long enough for those abrasives to break apart to clean up what you started.
You should work ScratchX until it appears that there's almost no product left.

[Murr1525]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

You didnt remove that much paint or anyting to cause any trouble. Just needs the bit of hazing removed.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

You didnt remove that much paint or anyting to cause any trouble. Just needs the bit of hazing removed.

+1

Don't sweat it dude, it's nothing that can be fixed in a couple minutes by hand.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40514

Take a look at this chart. Scratch X 2.0 is a little on the aggressive side, but it didn't cause the hazing the terry towel did.

You should be able to remove the hazing with Scratch X 2.0 and a foam applicator pad. As you work the product get progressively gentler toward the end. It might take 2-3 passes at 2 minutes each, but being patient and gentle is the key.

[Mary S]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

One suggestion, I would think ScratchX is too aggressive a product to be using to remove a paint transfer blemish. What I have heard recommended for this, I don't think Meguiar's has anything like this, but the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser that you can buy in the cleaning section of your supermarket. You wet it as instructed and just rub it to "erase" the paint transfer.

[yalerd]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

One suggestion, I would think ScratchX is too aggressive a product to be using to remove a paint transfer blemish. What I have heard recommended for this, I don't think Meguiar's has anything like this, but the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser that you can buy in the cleaning section of your supermarket. You wet it as instructed and just rub it to "erase" the paint transfer.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a great product and all but I rather use a paint formulated product in my cars paint than anything else.

On the forum there are nice stories fixing paint transfer with ScratchX. Here is an example Car Damage - Plan of attack!

[Mary S]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a great product and all but I rather use a paint formulated product in my cars paint than anything else.

On the forum there are nice stories fixing paint transfer with ScratchX. Here is an example Car Damage - Plan of attack!

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/ms-12.html Here you go!

I had quite a bit of paint transfer along with some scratches on my right quarter panel. I used a polishing compound to get the paint transfer off. In retrospect, I wouldn't use something that harsh for an above-surface defect. It is an abrasive and will get it off but maybe with a little bit of paint with it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: What have I done, and how can I fix it?

The situation you're seeing here is something that our call center deals with almost every day - hazing of the paint when using ScratchX 2.0 with a terry cloth applicator. The issue is that all those little loops of fabric are interacting with the paint, and doing so with some a fair bit of friction when you're working to remove scratches. theliman, you aren't the first to be leery of following up with the exact same product, but the simple fact is that there is nothing in ScratchX that can do this to your paint on its own. In fact, we very often get a call back from someone experiencing this issue once they've tried ScratchX 2.0 on a foam pad - and usually the follow up comment is something along the lines of "OK, now I have this shiny spot in my paint. Do I have to do the whole car now?"