Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

[strader327]

Hello,

I"m needing help trying to remove some light scratches on my car's clear coat finish. I've tried various rubbing compounds, scratch removers, and carnuba waxes with little to no luck. These scratches are not real deep or noticeable, you only see them up close when the light hits the car a certain way. I'm not even sure if they are even a problem or if they could even be removed. I have a couple of photos up if anyone wants to see But if anyone here has experience with removing these types of scratches let me know what you use and how you go about removing them. Thanks for your time.

[strader327]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

Here is the link to one of those photos

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=39377

[Murr1525]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

Which products did you try? How did you apply them?

[strader327]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

Let's see I've tried various brands of waxes, rubbing compounds, and scratch removers. I haven't had much luck with anything I've used. Currently I"m in the process of trying Meguiars Swirl X. What do you normally use?

[strader327]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

I also apply all of these products by hand, I'm afraid to try a orbital buffer because of the horror stories I've heard of people destroying their car's finish by applying too much force. I plan on giving them a try in the future, but for now I like doing it by hand. But if these types of scratches cannot be removed by hand, that may inspire me to make the switch sooner.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

The horror stories you have heard are from Rotary Polishes. A Dual-Action polisher is VERY safe to use even for a 1st time novice but gives you more working ability than applying product by hand.

[xantonin]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

The horror stories you have heard are from Rotary Polishes. A Dual-Action polisher is VERY safe to use even for a 1st time novice but gives you more working ability than applying product by hand.

This is true! The Meguiar's G110 has a fail safe mechanism where if you apply too much pressure the pad will stop rotating. It will still orbit and vibrate, but not rotate, thus preventing burn.

[Murr1525]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

Well, waxes wont remove swirls...

I should also have asked what kind of car, year, color ,etc you are working on.

In general, I would want to have SwirlX and Ultimate Compound on hand, and some smooth foam applicators, like the Hi-Tec Foam Applicators ( The round yellow disk ones).

Here are a few links that explain more of the process, and a little video. You can probably youtube more of it. Just remember ot work with the palm/surface of your fingers, not finger tips, esp with the UC.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

[strader327]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

It's a 2003 medium blue, Pontiac Sunfire.

[Murr1525]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

That should be workable.

Remember it does take some effort, not just wiping the product on/off. You can think of almost rocking the cars on the springs for the amount of effort it can take.

[strader327]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

Now is this workable by hand or would it require me to invest in a machine polisher? I plan on buying one either later this year or sometime next year, but currently I'm still doing my waxing by hand.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

Waxing by hand is fine. Polishing by hand is a nightmare unless it's just small spot-polishing.

[Murr1525]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

Doable by hand, but working by hand *****.....

If you will be buying a machine anyway, you may save yourself a headache by just waiting to really deal with swirls.

[xantonin]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

I prefer to wax by hand but I use the G110 for my polishing.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: Needing help removing fine clear coat scratches...

I too prefer to wax by hand unless I am just beat from a day of detailing and want to throw that coat on and get the heck out of there, ha ha.

Waxing by hand can be pretty relaxing....unless I'm just weird :P