Polish Wood

[mis3]

I have a 2004 Mercedes with polish wood interior (burl walnut). It looks like wood covered by some kind of clear plastic or clearr coat.

Lately, I found a few scratches on the surface. How do I remove them?

(Not sure if this is true. Someone told me never apply any cleaning product to the wood. )

[mis3]

I am thinking about PlasticX or ScratchX. Don't know the differences between these 2 products.

Seems that ScratchX can be used to remove swirl marks and fine scratches on parinted surface. Now, since most recent cars comes with clear coat, ScratchX is actually applied on the clear coat (plastic).

The wood trim comes with high gloss polyurethance finish, it's like clear coat on the wood.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

The woodgrain is usually coated with a plastic material. As such, you need to treat it with a plastic product like Meguiar's PlastX.

Take either a foam or MF applicator (I prefer to use the MF applicator) and work in the PlastX until it is almost gone. Then wipe clean with a clean MF towel. Of cousre, always test in a hidden spot first!

It may take a couple of applications. However, you must be careful working on the plastic woodgrain as that coating is usually not that thick.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Tim

[mis3]

That's exactly my question. A modern car surface is covered with clear coat, isn't this a plastic material as well?

Nover used PlastX before. Should I rub it hard against the wood to smooth out the scratches?

[gbackus]

I've tried the Mirror glaze plastic line, PlastX, and scratchX on this material, and prefer using #82 and "finger buffing" it with a microfiber towel.

[Accumulator]

Originally posted by gbackus
...[I] prefer using #82 and "finger buffing" it with a microfiber towel.

Same here. I just use a mildly abrasive polish made for paint and apply with a soft MF. That's what the guys at the Porsche/Audi dealership do too. So far it's worked fine on everything I've tried it on, from older Jags to new Audis. Big thing IMO is to go easy and know when to say "good enough".

[mis3]

Is PlastX considered mild abrasive polish?

Should I rub it hard against the wood?

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by mis3
Is PlastX considered mild abrasive polish?

Should I rub it hard against the wood?

Meguiar's PlastX contains a unique and expensive diminishing abrasive. As such, you need to work it in until it is almost gone, as I said in the previous post. However, as I also said, that coating can be quite thin so you need to use caution. In fact, I suggest using light application pressure. The specialized coating is not the same as clear coat on a car. Again test in a hidden spot. But keep in mind, some scratches, especially those that can be felt with a finger nail may be too deep to remove fully.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Tim

[F-150]

Sorry to hi jack the post but I have the same problem w/ swirls in the woodgrain. I'm going to try the plast x tomarrow morning and I'll post before and after pics w/ the xenon light so it'll bring out the difference.