Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Now, polish has some sort of slight abrasive, right? would you use that everytime when waxing, or would that wear down the paint?

Well, now you are getting into different companies terminology, and different eras.

For Meguiars, a pure polish is just a bottle of oils that help bring out the shine and looks of the paint, and keep it from drying out faster.

For Meguiars, a paint cleaner is a product that will remove the dirt from the paint, and depending on the product, may have some diminishing abrasives in it to remove swirls. Meguiars makes many different cleaners, from very mild to very strong.

The cleaner/wax I recomended (ColorX) is a paint cleaner, polish, and wax all in one, and it does have some diminishing abrasives in it. However it is mild overall, and could be used monthly if you really wanted to, but with a wax like Nxt 2.0, and following up future washes with the Ultimate Quick Detailer, you wont have to.

[andremw]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Thanks so much for all of your help so far.

So colorx every couple months won't hurt the finish? I will have to find these products. Would I good waxing hopefully help keep these specks from sticking? The dealer claimed they waxed the car upon receiving it, but it doesn't appear that they did, or, at least, didn't do too good of a job.

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

A good waxing, and regular washing/UQDing will definately help keep things from sticking.

One thought in relation to your other thread.... I would tend to wash and clay the car, and ScratchX that spot. Then, when you ColorX and wax the car, you will want to be carefull to avoid the rock chips, and a little area around them. The paint will not go well if wax or other product residue is in the chip.

You also will want to let the paint cure for 60-90 days before waxing it, so while it will be safe to gently wash those spots, you will want to sta yaway from rubbing hard on them etc for a while as well.

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Also, besides local stores (though Pep Boys, etc should have these 5 or 6 products), you can also check out autodetailingsolutions.com.

Thats where a lot of us shop.

[andremw]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

I'll have to check that website out. So, it might be a better idea to fix the paint now, and wait a month and a half or so before waxing the car?

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

No, just avoid those spots. You can get them with your fall detail.

[andremw]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Wouldn't the end of the hood look strange without wax?

The only two spots I need to do are right on the tip of the hood, and a small spot on the driver's side door, where it appears some dummy opened their car door into mine. There is a small scuff down to the primer, I tried to scratch x, but it didn't remove it completely, so I will have to sand it, and a tiny chip down to the paint.

I guess I need to park faaar away from people.

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Well, I am on the side of better to protect as much as possible with wax, than leave it unprotected. But you can certainly go either way.

But washing and claying will give it a decent shine, so might not stand out too bad. Only have to leave like a quarter or half inch around it, just to keep product away from it.

ScratchX can only remove fine scratches, a deep scratch just has to be fixed or lived with.

[andremw]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

One last question.

When running my hand over the small dots on the car, they feel practically flush with the surface. The clay bar will even remove this?

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Based on your description and the common problems... yes. If it is something stranger than that, then we'll see.

Just remember to use plenty of the Quick Detailer as lubricant, so like I said, maybe get a second bottle.

[andremw]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Alrighty, I'll definitly have to go get some and try it out. Hopefully it will be a better way to remove them, as I'm sure that's not the purpose of the scratchx!!

I tend to think that brake dust, etc, settle on the car, then rusted. Hopefully this'll work.

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

No, most likely it was just whatever applicator they used that was removing them. Hence the hard rubbing and the bit of swirls left there.

See what products you can track down, all should be easy enough, read over thsoe basics, and you should be set... or come back with more questions....

[andremw]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

I'll be sure to report back with the results, thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciate it!

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

No problem....

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Scratch-x question from a complete newbie

Now, polish has some sort of slight abrasive, right? would you use that every time when waxing, or would that wear down the paint?

Matt aka Murr1525 has done a great job of answering your questions, but to bring yourself up to speed and to keep everyone on the same page, if you haven't already, please read through the below two threads.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

The words Clean and Cleaning as defined by Meguiar's terminology


Then keep in mind, if you have a dull spot and/or swirls and scratches the way you fix this is through the cleaning and polishing process in which a little paint is removed, in most cases modern clear coats tend to be harder than traditional single stage paints and that means it's going to be hard to remove small particles of paint in an effort to remove defects and restore gloss, clarity and shine.

This thread explains the above...

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...

And this thread explains you need to put a little passion behind your pad when trying to remove a defect by hand.

How to use ScratchX by hand to remove swirls, scratches and water spot etchings