*donk!* Now I feel stupid!

[LiquidBlack]

So I was going around, reading some previous stuff, when I read somewhere that you want to use alot of polish when polishing.

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I was trying to remove swirls.
I wasnt using enough product when using scratch-x, right?!

I was only putting on a dab of product, then working it in. Now, I think my mistake was that I just didnt use enough product.

Whaddaya say?

[LT22]

Well you don't want to use TOO MUCH product. Try using a dime size of product if not enough then work your way up. If ScratchX doesnt remove the scratch then no product can.

[Djmigs]

yes you dont want to little but you dont want to much product...(waste)


a dime size should be sufficient....
also most people who use scratch x dont work in the product plus they try working on to large of an area....

to correct this shrink your workload
and work in the product(elbow grease) first try with a hi-tech foam appl...should you need more bite then use a terry towel......

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by LT22
If ScratchX doesnt remove the scratch then no product can.

I have to disagree with that statement... you're right about the "consumer" products, but there are stronger products out there in the detailer and professional lines that will do the job.

[Mike Phillips]

When removing swirls and other defects by hand, paint hardness or softness and the depth to the defects you're trying to remove are going to be factors that will have the most impact on,

• * How large an area you tackle at one time.
  * How many applications you apply.
  * How hard you work the product.
  * How much product you apply and work for each application.

Read these,

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX


In this how-to article, not the area we worked was a rectangular area about 12" by 16", (I'm guessing from memory), we applied a dollop of ScratchX about the size of a quarter, we worked the product aggressively using a foam applicator, working the product until it turned kind of clear/oily looking but wasn't dry, and applied the product three times.





If we were to continue working out all of the swirls by hand we would have continued working square or rectangle areas like this over the entire hood, overlapping each area into the previous area.


How To Remove Swirls By Hand

It would take a little time to effectively remove all of the swirls in the hood of the Mercedes-Benz by hand using ScratchX, applying the product three times to each section worked.

If I remember correctly, the owner purchased a G100 and remove the swirls by machine.

[LT22]

Originally posted by Shiny Lil Detlr
I have to disagree with that statement... you're right about the "consumer" products, but there are stronger products out there in the detailer and professional lines that will do the job.

That is true. The depth of the scratch is also a factor.

[RamAirV1]

I use Scratch X for touch-ups and removal of isolated scratches and swirls. Used properly, working it into the paint, it does a very good job. But really the best and quickest way to remove swirls for the novice is a G-100 with either #80, #2 (reformulated), or #83 for the more difficult swirls. The money spent on a G-100 is well worth it for the time it saves and the results it provides.

RamAirV1

[rusty bumper]

Re: *donk!* Now I feel stupid!

Originally posted by LiquidBlack
So I was going around, reading some previous stuff, when I read somewhere that you want to use alot of polish when polishing.

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I was trying to remove swirls.
I wasnt using enough product when using scratch-x, right?!

I was only putting on a dab of product, then working it in. Now, I think my mistake was that I just didnt use enough product.

Whaddaya say?

You don't want to waste product, but I would rather use a little too much cleaner than not enough. You need to use enough of it to help keep the pad & work surface lubed so it doesn't dry out before you finish working it in.

Mike's quarter size amount is a good starting point.

[LiquidBlack]

Oh yeah, I also forgot. I need to prime the pad, right?

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by LiquidBlack
Oh yeah, I also forgot. I need to prime the pad, right?

The product itself should be enough to prime the pad, but I reckon a shot of QD wouldn't hurt anything either.