Scratch Removal?

[leetsauce]

Hi all,

I just bought my first brand new car last week, and since the first bird droppings landed on my Candy White paint, I have engulfed myself in Car Detailing guides and websites. I look forward to learning proper care methods from all of you here.

Today, while I was getting ready to leave for work, I saw a bird drop a fresh batch of poop right on my car. In my moment of shortsighted stupidity, I took off one of my sandals and threw it at the bird. The bird flew away, but the sandal landed on my car and left these marks.

What product would I use to remove this? Thanks in advance for any tips and advice.

[JWMotorCars]

I would try some A12 cleaner wax but before that I may even try some APC and a MF. Those look like just a type of transfer; rubber from sandal onto car. It shouldn't be a problem.

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch Removal?

Yeah, a basic paint cleaner should do it.

Since you are in LA, you should try to get over to Meguairs HQ for a Thursday Garage or Saturday class.

[FX4619]

Re: Scratch Removal?

First..... seek anger management classes. Then use an APC to get that off the paint, it shouldn't be an issue.



Oh, JK about the anger management

[leetsauce]

Re: Scratch Removal?

Wow you guys are awesome, thanks for the quick responses. I sprayed some Meguiars Quik Detailer on it earlier but it didn't do much. I'm at work right now so any further cleaning would have to wait until later tonight.

I'm still new around here, so my understanding of the acronyms is still a little fuzzy. By APC do you guys mean All Purpose Cleaner? MF is micro fiber?

Thanks once again for all your help!

P.S. I might be inclined to agree on the Anger Management tip, but in my defense I wasn't really angry, just wanted to shoo the bird away :P

[ffboy]

Re: Scratch Removal?

It actually doesn't look like a scratch, more like some material from your sandal that just rubbed or transferred itself into the paint. Cleaner wax should be able to remove that, work the product in, use a microfiber towel or applicator for more bite. If it doesn't work, a paint cleaner should be able to remove that stain (ScratchX 2.0). You can finish it all off by applying a wax to protect it from bird bombs, and other stains that can harm your paint.

[JWMotorCars]

I'm still new around here, so my understanding of the acronyms is still a little fuzzy. By APC do you guys mean All Purpose Cleaner? MF is micro fiber?

Thanks once again for all your help!

:P

You got it! APC=all purpose cleaner and MF=microfiber

[davey g-force]

Re: Scratch Removal?

I don't mean to laugh at your misfortune, but I found your story of the sandal quite amusing!

I agree with the others about trying a paint cleaner, though I'm not sure A12 will be strong enough. My first stop would be SwirlX or ScratchX.

Good luck!

[leetsauce]

Re: Scratch Removal?

So I came home and decided to try using the Quik Detailer one more time, and with a little elbow grease, they came off!! Save for a few stubborn but nearly invisible scratches, the scuff marks have disappeared!

Instead of using the microfiber sponge I had this morning, I grabbed a "microfiber" soft cloth that came with a pack of screen protectors I bought for my smartphone. I thought they were microfiber, until I saw some swirl marks in the area after I had dried it up... It could also have been my fault, as I probably dragged the rubber along with the cloth while I was rubbing them off. I had already ordered a pack of Zwipes MF cloths from Amazon, and they should be here by Thursday.

Are the swirl marks difficult to remove? There aren't that many of them for now, and since my car is white, they're nearly impossible to see (at least for now), but eventually I'd like to have them removed as well.

I also haven't washed or waxed my car since I got it from the dealer last week. It's raining tomorrow and this weekend, so I'll save the carwash for after the rain. Should I re-wax the area that I cleaned with the Quik Detailer though? I don't have any wax or tools so I'll have to pick some up tomorrow. You guys have been extremely helpful, thanks for all the assistance!

[leetsauce]

Re: Scratch Removal?

I don't mean to laugh at your misfortune, but I found your story of the sandal quite amusing!

Haha no worries man, I found the whole situation hilarious myself. Frankly it was silly of me to have tossed my sandal at the bird, but I tried shouting at it a few times to no avail. Believe me, I immediately regretted throwing the sandal after hearing it hit my car.

Since you are in LA, you should try to get over to Meguairs HQ for a Thursday Garage or Saturday class.

Are the classes free? And do they have other days available?

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch Removal?

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?166-2012-Class-Schedules

You'll want to read through these links about the time/days. Yes they are free. Only Thursday night (not so much a 'class'), and Saturday though.

A small area shouldnt be hard to remove swirls from. A tube of ScratchX, or just getting a bottle of Ult. Compound to have on hand should do it. I like the smooth foam applicators for applying things though.

On a new car, I find this pretty simple:

1. Wash - Gold Class soap, 2 buckets, good towels, mitts, etc
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0, Ult. Wax, or other favorite

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Scratch Removal?

OK, so you got the color transfer off but you scratched the paint in the process. Yes, scratched - that's what swirls are, after all; very fine scratches. This happened because you essentially scrubbed away the transferred material rather than letting a light paint cleaner like ScratchX 2.0 do the dirty work. Lesson learned. ScratchX 2.0 should remove those fine swirls/scratches pretty easily though so no harm done.

You really should come down for one of our classes, whether that's a Thursday Night Open Garage or a full Saturday Class. These classes are always free of charge.

[leetsauce]

Re: Scratch Removal?

Thanks for the pointers everyone. I'd love to attend one of the garage sessions soon, but my work and school schedule is very impacted. I'll definitely try to fit one in within the next few months.