I was looking at my car with a shop light a few days ago and I realized that I have a bunch of fine scratches. Not anything deep enough to catch my fingernail. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to good products to use to correct this. I'm guessing Meguiar's?

Thanks

 

I saw this but can't vouch whether it is gimmick or not

 

oh yeah, I saw that on t.v. I also think it might be a gimmick and not the best product out there. But, I bet that would work for deeper scratches.

 

For cleaning up small areas I'd recommend Meguir's Scratch X.

For cleaning up the whole car try 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover. They have a special version for dark colored cars.

Maintaining a black car is a full time project.

 

This is a very common situation which almost all vehicles display over a period of time. The best way to remove these self induced scratches are by polishing the paint work with either a Rotary polisher or D/A polisher.

Try the D/A approach first, by hand it is very difficult to get the desired results. If you have access to a D/A I would recommend the following...

1) Meguair's M205
2) Meguiar's W8006 - Polishing pad

Using the D/A at speed setting #6, using a small amount of product you will start with an area 2 x 2 woking the product in until you break it down. Wipe of the polish with a clean MF and check your progress....

If you have accomplished the desired results, you would the do the entire vehicle using the same process. Follow up the polishing with a complete coat of your favorite LSP (Wax or Sealant)....

Hopefully this will work, if you have any further question or need some help.....give me a call or email me!

 

We really are lucky to have you around Dave.

 

ok thank you so much for the help dave, I'll order some of that M205 and give it a shot.

 

Great that you share your wealth of knowledge Dave....I'm sure so many members find it really helpful and your posts are inspiring too!
Sounds like you could do with a swirl removal detail Jaggyx, which is what Dave is saying essentially I guess.

 

Well, its hard to explain. I don't have any swirls marks but just tiny tiny scratches. Regardless, a nice detail sounds just about right

 

If its isolated spots here n there, give it a go yourself, maybe start with some Meguiars Scratch X and see how you go?
If its pretty much on every panel a detail might be best

 

yeah, I'll give it a go today. If that doesnt work, I'll order up some M205. Thanks for the help guys.

 

So did you give it a try? what kind of results did you achieve?

 

I tried some Meguiars scratch x, but the results were not anything major. I think i might have to get a compound to be more aggressive.

 

Well I ordered some poorboys polish with sealant last night. Then my friends this morning said that polish was abrasive and could mess up my car. So Dave, since your the pro what do you think on the polish before the wax. I have never used it before so I'm guessing my clearcoat should be pretty thick. Also, I will be applying it by hand.

 

Well here is my imput on this one..........I have never used Poorboys Polish, I believe in using a system that works right the first time. For me I prefer the Meguiar's "Pro or Detailer" line of products or 3M. So many choices out there for the consumer, enough that it will make your head spin. I use what has been proven and tested, therefore it eliminates a cabinet full of products that never get used or used only once.

Poorboys looks like its a 1 step does all product which may not give you the desired results. I would suggest that you go with a true 2 step method for your correction and you will be totally amazed at the difference.

For removing these surface defects from your vehicle you will have to step up your game...........

Do not be intimidated by a D/A......if you do this by hand you will only be hiding these defects not removing them.

After these defects have been removed by polishing, then you would wax/seal with your product of choice.

Hope this helps you out!

 

Thanks Dave, I really appreciate the help

 

Any updates on how the polishing came along????

Were you able to make the paint corrections that you wanted?

 

Hey Dave, after spending a whole day with the jag I did get the results that I wanted. The polish worked pretty well, I was very cautious and applied it lightly since I have never used it before. Then I applied a coat of Meguiars NXT 2.0 wax and then a coat of Meguiars Gold Class Caranauba wax. The car is super shiny and most of the clear coat flaws are gone. I will post some pics next time I wash it!