Scratches Under Clear Coat

[BlackSSR]

If you were looking at the scratches below, what would you say caused them? I recently brought my 2004 SSR to a detailer who told me that damage could be done like that with 1 wash. I used the 2 bucket system with grit guards and was using brand new towels that were washed once before use. I rinsed the car before wash etc... I removed the tags on the towels also. The detailer is also telling me that it may be scratches under the clear coat. What do you guys think? This is his second try at removing these what I feel are holograms from my car. The first time I picked up the car at night so I couldn't see how good of a job he did. The next day it rained so I had to wash it the following day. That's when I noticed the holograms were still there. I just dropped it off with him again but he's telling me that he thinks I did it when I washed it at home and if it wasn't me then the scratches are below the clear coat. I am the second owner of the car and when I purchased the SSR it had 5,000 miles on it.

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

Looks like holograms from a rotary to me.

I wouldnt be going back to him...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

Those are not scratches under the clear coat. They appear to be mostly holograms, maybe mixed with a bit of other marring. Do you know what this detailer's process was? Did he mention using a rotary buffer and wool pad, or a compound and cutting pad? Those may be the last questions we'd ever ask this particular individual before buying a G110v2 buffer, a couple of W8207 polishing pads and some Ultimate Compound and fixing this issue ourselves (hint, hint).

In all honesty, taking ownership of the finish of your car is probably the smartest, and most cost effective thing you can do for it. Sure, the initial outlay for a buffer, pads, liquids, towels, etc can easily run $300, but you'd pay that (minimum) for a good detail anyway. So for the same money you'll have all the equipment you would need to correct and maintain two or three cars for a couple of years. Even then, two years in, all you'd really have to replace is some compound and wax, which would set you back a whopping $20 - $30. And the buffer/pads/liquid mentioned above will easily remove these marks and return your car to the deep, glossy finish you're looking for.

There are plenty of highly skilled detailers out there, and they command pretty decent money for the fine work they do. But just because someone has a buffer in one hand and is happy for you to put your hard earned money in their other hand doesn't make them a pro.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

You say you bought the vehicle with 5000 miles. Those could have been caused by the previous owner, covered up with polish by the dealer. After a couple washes by yourself, they re-appear and then "detailer boy" made them worse!

[tomsteve]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

can you get a few shots up close without the glare? that almost looks like it could be buffer burn. if thats beneath the clear, primer or bare metal should be showing and primers are usually grey or black from the factory. can you feel the marks with yer fingernail? is this only on the door or other areas?

[OBSSEST]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

I'm going with rotary buffer marks on this one. The first pic especially shows how uniformly the lines go in one direction.

This is classic amateur "detailer" work. My mom got her black Honda Pilot back looking like this from a body shop after some repainting.

PC + Ultimate Compound + Yellow Lake Country pad took care of it.

[wifpd4]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

Doesn't it seem odd they are long, linear and parallel? Like wiped with an abrasive towel or contaminated mitt?

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

Doesn't it seem odd they are long, linear and parallel? Like wiped with an abrasive towel or contaminated mitt?

[chethewitt]

Re: Scratches Under Clear Coat

If you were looking at the scratches below, what would you say caused them? I recently brought my 2004 SSR to a detailer who told me that damage could be done like that with 1 wash. I used the 2 bucket system with grit guards and was using brand new towels that were washed once before use. I rinsed the car before wash etc... I removed the tags on the towels also. The detailer is also telling me that it may be scratches under the clear coat. What do you guys think? This is his second try at removing these what I feel are holograms from my car. The first time I picked up the car at night so I couldn't see how good of a job he did. The next day it rained so I had to wash it the following day. That's when I noticed the holograms were still there. I just dropped it off with him again but he's telling me that he thinks I did it when I washed it at home and if it wasn't me then the scratches are below the clear coat. I am the second owner of the car and when I purchased the SSR it had 5,000 miles on it.

M105 with a yellow cutting pad may work. GM clearcoats can be pretty hard which means a wool pad/rotary may be the necessary first step.

Thankfully, you should have plenty of clearcoat to work with which means the pictured damage can be fixed. Take the time to learn how to correct the paint yourself...or take the car to someone who knows what they're doing. Its well worth the money spent...especially when this is the alternative.