Permanent Defects? What to do?

[All of 75]

I have these defects on my Silver 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 that I can't seem to get rid of, I've tried polish (which seemed to get rid of it briefly), Ultimate Compound, waxes, clay bars, and cleaners, and I just can't seem to get rid of them.

There are 2 kinds it seems, mechanized-washing scratches from the previous owner that are quite long and evenly dispersed. And the other kind, which seem like some sort of fading associated with dripping, the pictures will show. I have both types on the doors, roof and rear quarter panels, and awful drips from the bottom of the trunk lid and the bottom of the rear door handles, but niether of these two types are on the hood.

They disappear in some light but in direct sunlight, or certain glancing sun, they appear in their full glory.





This shows a little bit of the length-wise scratches.


Please Help!!!!! I can't stand these things!

[Andy M.]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

Claying won't remove scratches. Polish or compound will. Besides UC what have you tried. And the big question, are you working by hand or machine? Do you have access to the pro line products? They are some pretty severe swirl/scratch marks. I don't think they are irreversible though.

Andy

[All of 75]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

I should have mentioned: I work by hand and I could feasibly get access to pro line products. I have tried the paint cleaner as well, but I thought the UC would be heavy-duty enough that I needn't try the Swirl-X etc.

[All of 75]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

Any Help!!???

[Murr1525]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

When working with the UC, how were you applying it? What with? How large of an area were you working, working it in well?

That should be improveable, but would be a lot of work by hand. Going to need to focus on very small areas at a time. A panel a day at most by hand should be the goal at most.

[All of 75]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

So, you think I should try again and really work it in? Because it seemed like even spots where I would relentlessly rub, it just wouldn't come out.

[greg0303]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

So, you think I should try again and really work it in? Because it seemed like even spots where I would relentlessly rub, it just wouldn't come out.

What you'll do is removing small portion of paint in defect surrounding areas to make them disappear. Doing it by hand requires down pressure to activate Ultimate Compound's abrasives. If you just apply product without really working it in it won't help you much. As mentioned above - concentrating on small area at the time will improve product's performance.

What applicator do you use?

[Murr1525]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

Mercedes arent exactly known for soft paint either. It is possible by hand wont work, esp if you already worked it in well.

[All of 75]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

I used a brand new soft meguiars applicator, like the ones that are in the wax canisters. I worked it in pretty darn well...

Maybe this will be enough to justify a DA to save the body shop bill.

[f86sabjf]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

or maybe find a Meguiars detailer near you to fix it and then you can maintain the car easier by hand on your own.

[All of 75]

Re: Permanent Defects? What to do?

Like I said, I have a feeling that it would be expensive to do this at a detailer, when, if I can do it myself for less, why bother?

I just want to know if I could do it by hand or with a DA, or if I should just let the body shop deal with it, should it be over my head or seemingly permanent.

Please Help!!!