Best way to fix this scratch?

[derekivey]

Hi guys,

I have a 2012 Mazda 3 hatchback and just found a few scratches on my driver's side fender today. I'm not sure how I got them (a rock maybe?). I always park away from other cars. Any ideas how I can fix it (or conceal it really well)? Will Scratch X help? So far I've tried clay barring, cleaning the area with Isopropyl Alcohol really good, applying Black Fire Gloss Enhancing Polish, and then applying Black Fire All Finish Paint Protection. That seemed to help hide the 2 smaller scratches, however the long one is still there. Does it look like this scratch is down to the primer? I'm thinking I might need to take the wax off again and touch it up with Dr. Color Chip.

Before I started trying to fix it, I rubbed my fingernail against it and could barely feel it.

Before:


After:


Thanks,
Derek

[Murr1525]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

None of those products are really designed for swirl removal.

ScratchX 2.0, or Ult. Compound would be better choices for actual swirl removal. And a smooth foam applicator for applying.

Little hard to tell how deep it is, I cant tell if the flash is making it look whiter than it is. But nothing wrong with trying first, then trying the ColorChip if you need to.

[derekivey]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

None of those products are really designed for swirl removal.

ScratchX 2.0, or Ult. Compound would be better choices for actual swirl removal. And a smooth foam applicator for applying.

Little hard to tell how deep it is, I cant tell if the flash is making it look whiter than it is. But nothing wrong with trying first, then trying the ColorChip if you need to.

Thanks! Which would you recommend ScratchX 2.0 or the ultimate compound? I'll probably stop by Walmart tomorrow.

[Murr1525]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

UC is a little stronger, which doesnt hurt.

Other than that, it is just a little more cost for a bigger package.

[derekivey]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

UC is a little stronger, which doesnt hurt.

Other than that, it is just a little more cost for a bigger package.

Lol, it's a 50 cent price difference at Walmart. I guess I'll try the Ultimate Compound. Thanks for your help!

[Murr1525]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Even better then.

Used to be a little bigger difference I think.

[mis3]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Can you feel the scratch using your finger tip or nail? If you do, this scratch cannot be removed.

On the other hand, I do suggest you buy UC. Even if it does not work with this scratch, it will be helpful down the road. A few months ago, I used UC between clay and UW and yielded great results.

[derekivey]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Can you feel the scratch using your finger tip or nail? If you do, this scratch cannot be removed.

On the other hand, I do suggest you buy UC. Even if it does not work with this scratch, it will be helpful down the road. A few months ago, I used UC between clay and UW and yielded great results.

I can't really feel it with my fingernail. Hopefully it's just a really light scratch.

[derekivey]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Thanks for the tips guys. Picked up some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and tried it out this morning. I buffed the area by hand a few times and it seems like a big improvement. Not sure if I can do better or if that's as good as it's going to get. I am very happy with the result. It seems much less noticeable now; you really have to know where the scratch is and be really close to it to find it.



Thanks,
Derek

[Murr1525]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

A couple applications is good... how much pressure/passion were you using?

And be sure to work over the area, dont want to just focus and rub on one little spot.

[derekivey]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

A couple applications is good... how much pressure/passion were you using?

And be sure to work over the area, dont want to just focus and rub on one little spot.

I used moderate pressure like the bottle said and did make sure to go over the area. Maybe I'll try again later and see if I can do any better. It still looks much better now than it did before!

[mis3]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Like Murr said, try a few more times.

Don't forget to apply wax after the process. The UC would have removed all remaining wax on the surface.

[derekivey]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Like Murr said, try a few more times.

Don't forget to apply wax after the process. The UC would have removed all remaining wax on the surface.

Thanks. Yeah I applied wax afterwards. I'll probably try again tonight after work. Should I try using a different pad? I used a Meguiar's foam applicator pad that I got from a Meguiar's kit I purchased on Amazon. This is what the pad I used looks like (except mine is yellow): http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01...Applicator.jpg

I have some of these pads: http://www.amazon.com/Viking-Cotton-...applicator+pad
Should I try using those instead next time or doesn't it matter?

Thanks,
Derek

[Murr1525]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Generally dont want the terry ones.

[derekivey]

Re: Best way to fix this scratch?

Just did some more applications. I think I'm going to stop now haha. Don't want to take off the clearcloat. Anyways, the scratch doesn't really look like a scratch now, it kind of looks like an indentation underneath the clearcoat? I can only see it when I get on my knees and look real close at the fender. When I rub my fingernail over it, it feels completely smooth. I think I am satisfied now. I'm going to put a new coat of wax on and see how it looks. I tried to get a picture of how it looks now, but it's too hard to take a picture of.

Derek