Help -- Newb

[jonycc]

I bought a used 2009 VolksWagen CC this month and I have some fine scratches, which I believe either Ultimate Polish or Swirl X may address. I have two issues though. On the trunk I have what appears to be a stain from bird droppings. Scratch X 2.0 and Ultimate Polish did not help.

I also found yesterday after a trip the dealer these scratches on the bumper (plastic I believe, painted to match car). I used again Scratch X 2.0 and Ultimate Polish and that didnt help.

Should I use Ultimate Compound? Is that safe for plastic bumpers? I ran my finger nail across it and really cant feel them. There is one particular spot that I can, and I'm sure polish wont fix. Can anyone help?

I'm not sure if this is the correct sub forum or not for this. I dont have a DA Polish, I do have an old buffer that uses bonnents if that helps.

I couldnt find a way to shrink the images here...so I linked them external to view full res.

http://cl.ly/162M2a0k183R2J0o2N01 - Trunk

http://cl.ly/3g2f353F03223L240E2L - Bumper

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Help -- Newb

How many times did you try working the Scratch-X 2.0? Typically, I recommend using a soft foam hand applicator to apply and a high quality micro fiber towel to remove for the best results. You want to work the Scratch-X 2.0 in with light to moderate pressure for maybe 1.5-2 minutes, and wipe off before it dries. If you haven’t already done so, repeat this as many as 5-6 times in a specific area working section by section. You could go to the Ultimate Compound if needed or wanted, but it’s only a little bit stronger than the Scratch-X 2.0. If you decided to go that route work it the same way. Both Scratch-X 2.0 and Ultimate Compound will be safe on painted plastic bumpers as well. As for the Orbital, you can try working with the Orbital if you like, but you will probably create more friction and get better results when working by hand. Your average Orbital doesn’t usually create enough friction to get defects out. I hope this helps.

[jonycc]

Re: Help -- Newb

I want to say I tried using Scratch X 2.0 4 times then using Ultimate Polish about the same for a minute each application using a soft foam applicator by hand.

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Help -- Newb

Maybe try the Scratch-X 2.0 a couple of more times and see what you get. You can then try the Ultimate Compound several times as your next step. If that to doesn’t remove the defects you are probably going to need to consider trying the Scratch-X 2.0 or Ultimate Compound with a Dual Action Polisher. I know you said you didn’t have one, but that would be a good way to get more aggressive while still being safe. The Ultimate Polish is going to be less aggressive while putting more oils into the paint.

[jonycc]

Re: Help -- Newb

Are you referring to both the trunk and the bumper? All your products are safe for entire car including the bumper? Would Ultimate Compound be good for the whole car, or should I use Ultimate Polish to try and remove the fine scratches?

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Help -- Newb

I was referring to both the bumper and the trunk both. The paint cleaners, polishes, and waxes will be safe on any surface that is painted, and since the bumper is painted that would be safe. We tend to recommend working from least aggressive to most aggressive. So, on the lighter things you may want to go with the Ultimate Polish first and then if it’s not aggressive enough work your way up from there.

[jonycc]

Re: Help -- Newb

I forgot I have an 8" Black and Decker Random Orbit Polisher is that ok with your products for the car? I also have a 3M foam pad that attaches to a dril. Is this okay for my bumper?

[jonycc]

Re: Help -- Newb

Searching online it seems this Black & Decker 8" Random Orbit Action polisher is 2500 opm..is that safe?

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Help -- Newb

I forgot I have an 8" Black and Decker Random Orbit Polisher is that ok with your products for the car? I also have a 3M foam pad that attaches to a dril. Is this okay for my bumper?

Sorry for the delayed response. I suppose it depends on the specific product, but most of the consumer products can be applied with a Dual Action Polisher or an Orbital Buffer. I don’t know how comfortable I am with suggesting a foam pad on a drill as a drill would be extremely hard to control on the paint. My concern with using a drill would be that it could produce too much friction and run the risk of inducing swirls, or causing harm. However, a D/A Polisher or an Orbital Buffer with a foam polishing pad (and using the right cleaners & polishes) would be safe on the painted bumper.

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Help -- Newb

Searching online it seems this Black & Decker 8" Random Orbit Action polisher is 2500 opm..is that safe?

The action of this machine will not hurt your paint. However, it looks like it may be an Orbital and not a Dual Action Polisher. If it is Orbital it may not produce enough friction to remove light to moderate defects in the paint. In that case, it may be more effective to work a cleaner by hand. If it is a Dual Action Polisher it will be likely prove to be a bit more effective at defect removal than by hand, while still being safe on the paint.

[jonycc]

Re: Help -- Newb

Thanks for the replys, I actually tried using both tools. The drill with foam pad on bumper on low setting didnt do much. I didnt want to increase speed because i was worried I'd cause problems trying to remove the sctratches in the plastic bumper. I can actually feel them with a finger nail, just slightly. I guess I will have to live with it.

Same with the spot on the trunk.

I guess the more I use Ulitmate Polish and Wax over time my paint should continue to improve correct?

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Help -- Newb

Unfortunately, if you can catch the defect with a fingernail you won’t be able to fully remove it. I would suggest maybe Ultimate Compound with a hand foam applicator. Work in with moderate pressure (make sure your applicator and removal towel are clean and free of debris) for 1-2 minutes. Remove with a high quality micro fiber towel. Repeat this as many as 5-6 times and that will be about the limit of what you are going to be able to do. Follow with Ultimate Polish if you like, but definitely follow with a good wax. I hope this helps.