I think I screwed up...

[Sapeur]

yesterday, I noticed small stain-type marks on my car, so I used turtle wax rubbing compound in an attempt to get it out. Well, now I have circular scratch marks in those areas..I bought the scratch x, but I didn't really do anything...am i out of luck?

[Murr1525]

Re: I think I screwed up...

Was it the ScratchX 2.0?

How did you apply the two products? What applicators, how much force/passion, etc?

Also what type, color car, etc?

[the other pc]

Re: I think I screwed up...

How did you apply the ScratchX? What kind of applicator? How hard did you work it? And for how long?

As Murr1525 asked, is it the current ScratchX 2.0, or the original ScratchX? (The original is less aggressive.)

It may just be you need to work the ScratchX more or use a different applicator.

If your paint is very hard you might need something more aggressive. We had a lady bring her Nash to a Thursday Night Open Garage who had done exactly the same thing. Her paint was tough and the sctaches were deep. It required an aggressive approach.


pc.

[Mark58]

Re: I think I screwed up...

If he used rubbing compound then he should use Ultimate Compound follow with Ultimate polish. That rubbing compound is nasty almost like steel wool. Hope he did not screwed up his clear coat.

[Sapeur]

Re: I think I screwed up...

It was the scratch x2.0....I admit I only used about three applications before giving up

[Sapeur]

Re: I think I screwed up...

I didn't apply it with a great deal of force. Moreso in an experimenting type way

[Murr1525]

Re: I think I screwed up...

It does need worked in with some force/effort, or passion as we would say.

Not like denting panels, but worked in well. One panel should have your shoulder pretty much shot...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: I think I screwed up...

An old school rubbing compound like the one used by Sapeur will very easily create some severe looking defects in a modern clear coat paint system. We know all too well because we do this intentionally when doing buffer demos at Barrett-Jackson Auctions and elsewhere. Let's face it, you can't do a really impressive demo when the paint starts out looking perfect, can you? So, we "prep" it a bit first and then fix the mess.

Here's an example of what we're talking about:


The left side was "prepped" using an old school rubbing compound, and then on the right side we corrected the issues with some Ultimate Compound on a DA. Lately we've taken to expanding these demos to show how effectively the same issues can be fixed when using the same Ultimate Compound by hand. Depending on the paint the outcome is usually very similar when working by hand, although the level of work needed is increased.

So, Sapeur, all is not lost with your situation. While even an easy application of the old school compound can make the paint look terrible, you need a fairly aggressive application of Ultimate Compound by hand in order to remove them. But your choice of applicator pad is important, too. A terry cloth towel is just a bad, bad idea here. Terry cloth can be pretty darn aggressive in its own right, so using one aggressively with almost any product will create haze in the paint, and you're goal is to create gloss. Stick with a soft foam wax applicator pad, use roughly a quarter sized dollop of product on it, work an area no larger than 1' x 1', and work it pretty vigorously until it becomes just a very thin film on the surface. Wipe off with a clean microfiber towel before it dries. Now, working by hand you may still need two or three applications like this, depending on the paint. If you're lucky the paint will cooperate and clean up nicely in a single go. But you won't know that until you actually start working on it.

From the sounds of it, you used ScratchX 2.0 with a pretty non-aggressive application technique, perhaps out of fear of making things worse after your experience with the other product. That's understandable. But ScratchX 2.0, Ultimate Compound and other products of ours won't scour the paint like that so you can get away with some energy when working the product. In fact, you need that energy in order to get the results you're after. So give it another go, and don't be afraid to put some passion into it. Just don't scrub really hard in a very small spot for an extended period of time. Stick to overlapping circular motions over a 1' x 1' area and you'll be perfectly safe.

[ffboy]

Re: I think I screwed up...

Take time in working whatever product you will use whether Ultimate compound, scratchx2.0 or swirlx. It will take time and energy but it will be well worth it in the end. Its a world of difference when using Ult. compound and swirlx.. You can actually master those by listenning and feeling as you work it. When it feels and sounds like theres no more cutting going on and wipe off the product, you will be greeted by a smooth "polished" look finish that is ready for wax action.

Ultimate compound and megs newer compounds (swirlx/scratchx) are focused more on the consumers, people who have no polishers or experience in paint correction. That's why you will find these very user friendly.. Remember not to let the products dry or you might be left with some scratches or additional swirls.

[Hemin8r]

Re: I think I screwed up...

Hey Sapeur, You're not too far from me. If for some reason you keep trying as it's been suggested here and it's just not coming out right for some reason let me know and I may be able to help you out.