fixing scratches correctly

[05ram3500]

hey yall, alright here gose, it seems like every time i wash my truck i knotice more scratches, so one day i got some 200 and tried wet sanding and buffing them out it kinda worked but not entirely, and on the foward part of my dualy fenders the clear coat looks like it getting blemishes fr the front tires kocking stuff up at them i tried wetsanding to fix it but didnt make a dofference, any ways i want to go thrugh my entire truck and fix al the scratches, can some one tell me how to do it correctly and what products, pads and buffer to use, thanks

[ffboy]

Re: fixing scratches correctly

First, what products were you using? Did you apply it correctly? If you were using a megs cleaner/compound like you would a wax, it's very likely that it's the cause of not achieving the results you expect.

By hand, I'd try ScratchX 2.0 with a a foam applicator, 2-3 passes. If it doesn't work, step up to Ultimate compound, same applicator and process. If you have a DA Polisher, you can use Ultimate compound together with softbuff polishing pads, speed 4-5, or higher settings if needed with medium or medium to heavy-ish pressure, make a couple of overlapping passes. If it becomes clear and shiny, step down to a finer compound to refine the finish further (ultimate polish or swirlX), remove reisdue and apply a protective coating of the wax of your choice. If you feel like using the professional products, M105 (similar to UC) followed by M205 (similar to Ultimate Polish) can be used with the same pad combo as the consumer products (UC/UP/SwirlX)

[05ram3500]

Re: fixing scratches correctly

i was using a buffer that spins not vibrates on level 3.5 with a flufy looking pad with 3m imperial finishing compound, i wet sanded the scratches with 2000 untill i saw a light milky color then stoped, ive buffed the whole truck b4 but most of the scratches didnt come out so thats y i tried the wet sanding, i want to make the entire truck paint look show room finish or atleast alot less scratched lol it shines and isnt faded but the scratches bother me and on the passenger side some idiot was spraying awlgrip primer paint at work and didnt have the common curticy to tell me to move my truck so now i gota find a way to get that off,

any ways will what you told me to use work or shuld i try somthing else

[ffboy]

Re: fixing scratches correctly

Sounds like you were using a high-speed/rotary buffer, it can work well with M105/M205 combo.

The fluffy looking pad (wool?) you mention may be too aggressive, certainly good for cutting through 1500-2000 grit sanding marks. The disadvantage is that it will also leave swirls, so even if you removed some of the deeper scratches with the wool/compound combo, it will leave finer swirls that will also require softer, less aggressive scratches to really bring out the shine from the paint. As for the primer that was sprayed, you can try a more aggressive pro-clay bar to remove them, then use the appropriate compounds to bring out the shine and finalize the correction before applying wax/sealant.

[Detailing by M]

Re: fixing scratches correctly

in short, your doing the correct procedure but it's all about you learning how to do this by yourself or someone showing you.
If you search here you'll find your question already answered.
Maybe you can find a detailer in your area who could teach you?
But sanding a buffing is the process to remove scratches.
But only experience will produce the results your looking for, so the shortcut is contacting a Pro.