Hey guys,

I have a black 2012 xf supercharged. I bought it 6 months ago and from the past couple of months, I have noticed small scratches but several of them close to the door handles. Will getting the car detailed make them go away? If so, should I take it to the local jag dealer to get it done or do you have other recommendations?

 

Those are probably not worth doing anything about. They are caused by opening the door and will just come back. I have seen people put 3M plastic protective film inside those hand depressions for this reason. But then you will have scratched up 3M film instead.

The nifty new pop out handles on the F Type eliminate this problem!

 

Haha.. getting the F-type would solve the problem with the door handles, but will create new problems with the wife

temporarily though, to get rid of them would you suggest getting the car detailed?

 

I use Meguiars cleaner wax, then some regular wax. They go away.

Short of having your fingernails removed or being SUPER careful when opening the door there's not much of a way around them.

 

Diablo,

Step 1 - Wash the car.
Step 2 - Clay bar the area (although not necessary)
Step 3 - Use a Polish. It will remove some of the finer scratches. Meguiars makes it and can be purchased anywhere. meguires deep crysal polish - Yahoo! Search Results
Step 4 - Put 2-3 coats of black wax on it after the polish. Turtle Wax makes it and can be had at any Auto Parts store (i have 4 bottles of the stuff) http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...f&fr=yfp-t-622

You don't need any fancy tools, just a few microfiber towels.


The scratches will disappear for a month or so until the wax wears off. But even then, it won't look as bad.

Good luck!!!!

 

Thanks guys! I will try some of these tips and hopefully, they should help solve the problem

 

I open the door for my wife so I don't get these scratches when she opens the door. Plus then I get an atta boy for being a gentleman!.

This is very common though as when I was searching for a Jag I saw many pre-owned XK's that were like this

 

Every car with a pull type handle gets these scratches. The only prevention I know of is a film such as 3M. Then the scratches show up in the film instead. It's worse if you get winter as gloves fill the depression more tightly. It isn't your hand so much as the invisible grit stuck to the paint behind the handle. When you slip your hand into the pace it moves this grit and micro scratches the finish. The same thing would happen if you dry rubbed any part of the paint which is why detailing lubricant is so essential if you spot clean your car.

 

I have removed this type of scratch and worse as Executive outlines. You should be able to remove them from the clear coat with the right polish and enough elbow grease. A Radom orbital polisher with the right pad and polish also works. There are some synthetic sealants that can be applied that reduce the micro scratches or so it is said. There are many detailing websites that discuss the possible approaches. Depends on how far you want to go to chase this.

 

Can't get in there with any sort of power polisher, he's talking about the recess behind the doorhandles.

 

Meguires makes pad that flexes. Also smaller random orbitals available. best to do by hand if no tools.