Scratch X question/concern

[nightwulf1974]

Hey all!

** If this is in the wrong forum, please forgive me as I am new here and would ask any moderators to kindly put this thread in the appropriate place **

I've purchased some Scratch X for some scratches that I created by waxing with a piece of gravel which somehow found its way into the buffing pad.

I used the product and was able to remove the light swirls and scratches as best I could with maybe slight presence left in the clear coat.

My question is that I read a lot of reviews and one glaring negative keeps creeping up: Scratch X comes off after washing your vehicle. Is there any truth to this or are these people doing something wrong in their methods? Maybe their scratches were to deep to begin with?

I have a black Corolla and it has beautiful paint, but thanks to me and my perfectionist mentality, I am now worried that after all the elbow grease and waxing that the hard work will be washed away when I wash my car.

If anyone who uses /has used this product, can yout speak of this concern?

Thanks everyone!

[The Guz]

Re: Scratch X question/concern

Scratchx has no protection ability. It is a paint cleaner to remove blemishes and defects. You want to follow up with a wax or sealant for protection.

[nightwulf1974]

Re: Scratch X question/concern

Scratchx has no protection ability. It is a paint cleaner to remove blemishes and defects. You want to follow up with a wax or sealant for protection.

I plan to apply a few good coats of wax tomorrow to the affected areas. After this is done, can I safely assume that with the wax present that what I see now will still remain as far as scratches being diminished? Thanks for taking the time to answer my question BTW!

[The Guz]

Re: Scratch X question/concern

Well how deep is the scratch? Does your finger nail catch it?

[nightwulf1974]

Re: Scratch X question/concern

Surface scratch only, can only see it, can't feel it at all. Swirl scratches mainly. Nothing deep, but noticeable in the right light. They are gone now and can't really see them now after applying Scratch X.

[Top Gear]

Re: Scratch X question/concern

...copied from duplicate thread...

Well, ScratchX is a correction compound, essentially. Compound is not meant to stay on the paint, but is a way to scour the surface and leave a decent finish in one-step. What washes off are the faint polishing oils left behind, which would normally be "sealed" with a wax or sealant. So, use ScratchX to "spot-compound" various "defects", and then do the waxing. As the black paint accumulates swirls/spiderwebs, though, this method will not be enough to keep the car looking new.

The original problem is a way dirty applicator in what sounds like hand-waxing. Just be very careful that you are not putting much pressure when waxing by hand, and use less liquid or paste than you think, because that just makes it hard to remove/buff. Make sure you have clean pads or rags, and don't get impatient with the process. Just apply gently and then remove/buff with clean MF towels/rags. I've used a chamois, too.

Hope that helps

[nightwulf1974]

Re: Scratch X question/concern

...copied from duplicate thread...

Well, ScratchX is a correction compound, essentially. Compound is not meant to stay on the paint, but is a way to scour the surface and leave a decent finish in one-step. What washes off are the faint polishing oils left behind, which would normally be "sealed" with a wax or sealant. So, use ScratchX to "spot-compound" various "defects", and then do the waxing. As the black paint accumulates swirls/spiderwebs, though, this method will not be enough to keep the car looking new.

The original problem is a way dirty applicator in what sounds like hand-waxing. Just be very careful that you are not putting much pressure when waxing by hand, and use less liquid or paste than you think, because that just makes it hard to remove/buff. Make sure you have clean pads or rags, and don't get impatient with the process. Just apply gently and then remove/buff with clean MF towels/rags. I've used a chamois, too.

Hope that helps

Thanks for that! So basically I use Scratch X and seal it up with wax. I always apply a few coats at least and wax every 3 months or so (completely unnecessary I'm sure, but I'm also sure I'm not the only one.) I plan to use Scratch X again with the next round of waxing as well, in case the scratches become more visible.

My next question is: What product(s) and or steps would be needed to essentially remove these scratches for good or at least not have to worry about any reappearance, even after car washes?

Thanks again. You guys are very helpful!

[Top Gear]

Re: Scratch X question/concern

In theory, you can wax as often as you want (or as often the weather and washing removes it), however, you will create more "swirls" or "spiderwebs" simply in applying the wax and washing the car, so the problem will accumulate that much faster. This is part of what you're seeing as the wax wears off, and why it looks so good and different when you do wax it.

ScratchX/SwirlX aren't really the best way to get rid of swirls or spiderwebs, certainly not by hand. It's very easy to create hazy areas, holograms, and cheetah spots when using compounding products by hand. If you haven't noticed those, say in direct sunlight or with a strong LED light at night, then you're probably compounding very, very faintly, and you'd achieve exactly the same result with a polish, because it's the oils that are filling in the scratches temporarily, anyway.

The next level is to get into machine correction, say with a dual-action model with Meguiar's pads, using multi-step approaches depending on what is needed (compound, polish, wax). Machine compounding will, in general, be the only way to get truly "swirl-free", unless paint is very soft, or the defects very light. A machine polish will transform the car all by itself. Machine waxing can be far easier, especially with a wax designed to wipe off (like D301), and so re-waxing using a "cleaner wax" can be surprisingly easy to maintain a correction all year.

However, "swirl-free" is a moving target, especially on black. It can certainly be done, but then you drive somewhere, get it a bit dirty, clean it with Ultimate Wash and Wax Anywhere, and then you've got some "love" spiderwebs again. So, you'll learn how to clean the car without creating more work for yourself, etc. Think of it all as a process, a hobby, a series of experiments and lessons you'll be teaching yourself.