Removing scratch lines on car

[KY Gan]

hi there, I have got some line scratches on my car. When I run thru them, it smooth. So it's not a chip or crack.
I am using a the Meg Dual polisher for past 1 year. This is the first time I am trying to attempt to remove this type of line scratches which Scratch 2.0 can't remove. I have used the Scratch 2.0 over it 2 -3 times. The lines get slightly lighter only.

Next, I used the Ultimate compound. I am using the 4 inch Yellow Pad , tried to run over 2 -3 times with UC and started with speed 3 and then moved to speed 5. It's get lighter but it doesn't disappear. Now, I can see the light lines on certain angles only so not so obvious compared to the past. I am running the DA slowly over the lines and in small area as recommended. When I am done , I can feel the warm heat on the area and the products used were all no visible on the polished area when I was polishing so I think I am doing it correctly.

I just wanted to know are we usually able to totally remove this lines ?

I still have got another option which I have not tried which is using the Red Pads which is supposedly Higher Cut.

Any other suggestions ?

Besides that, what I should I look out for as sign to give up before I damage the car paint.

Thanks.

[KY Gan]

Re: Removing scratch lines on car

Some sample pictures. You got to look slowly cause its very faint thin lines.

hi there, I have got some line scratches on my car. When I run thru them, it smooth. So it's not a chip or crack.
I am using a the Meg Dual polisher for past 1 year. This is the first time I am trying to attempt to remove this type of line scratches which Scratch 2.0 can't remove. I have used the Scratch 2.0 over it 2 -3 times. The lines get slightly lighter only.

Next, I used the Ultimate compound. I am using the 4 inch Yellow Pad , tried to run over 2 -3 times with UC and started with speed 3 and then moved to speed 5. It's get lighter but it doesn't disappear. Now, I can see the light lines on certain angles only so not so obvious compared to the past. I am running the DA slowly over the lines and in small area as recommended. When I am done , I can feel the warm heat on the area and the products used were all no visible on the polished area when I was polishing so I think I am doing it correctly.

I just wanted to know are we usually able to totally remove this lines ?

I still have got another option which I have not tried which is using the Red Pads which is supposedly Higher Cut.

Any other suggestions ?

Besides that, what I should I look out for as sign to give up before I damage the car paint.

Thanks.

[wifpd4]

Re: Removing scratch lines on car

Just some thoughts, if you can take your finger nail and run it perpendicular over the scratch and you feel it, you may not be able to remove it because it is too deep and trying to remove the scratch may remove too much paint. You may not be able to remove the scratches running parallel to the body seams because the paint, from the factory, at the seam is thicker making the buffer ride over and or miss being in contact with the scratch. Working near a seam may also be tricky because the paint, from the factory, is just a wee bit thinner at that edge make it vulnerable to damage from the buffer.

The marks in the last couple of photographs look like they are on plastic body parts. Again see if you can feel them with you finger nail, before trying to remove them. Remember too plastic does not dissipate heat like metal, therefore you can over heat the plastic and burn the paint on the car if you work too long or aggressively with the buffer.

In in the first photo, use some automotive tape or "delicate surface" tape from a paint store or lumber yard and tape over the body seams leaving the scratch exposed. Now try working on just the scratch, but not the surrounding area. However, to me, that scratch looks a little too deep to fully remove.

In the last photos, those scratches look like marks I've seen on a rear bumper from the owner putting golf bag and clubs into their trunk and scratching the bumper. Maybe you can remove them if not too deep, just be careful to not burn the paint or remove too much paint which is possible with a 4" pad that focuses too much force and heat in a concentrated area.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Removing scratch lines on car

wifpd4 has provided some great recommendations above.

The scratches in picture #2 & #3 look very different than the ones in pictures #1. Some of the defects in #2 & #3 even look like defects which are underneath the clear coat. Has the area been repainted? The scratches in picture #1 look like they will come out with what you have on hand, but we would also advise to be cautious and do short cycles on an area like this. Defects in #2 & #3 look quite severe, or possible not even in the clear coat. Tough to tell from the angle of the picture. Hope this helps.

[KY Gan]

Re: Removing scratch lines on car

Thanks for the kind feedback.
1) I have run my finger on the spots again, its feels smooth and I can't feel the scratch/ hole.
2) This is the original paint which came with the car. So not repainted. I did do a 3-4 times of the the full detailing work previously on it but did not do a proper correction each time as I was worried I remove or damage the paint. Was using scratch 2.0 only at that sessions followed by UP & UW.
3) The car area where this scratch are located are metal parts areas above and on side of the back window. And the back portion after the window to the fuel cap area before it reaches the back tail light and bonnet. So no plastic parts here I believe.

Okay let me see if I got your advice correct :
1) If I am using UC, using the 5 inch yellow pads and doing say 2-3 times on that spot and it does not come off I should call it a day ?

Thanks for your kind sharing and help appreciate it greatly.