Removing fine scratches from plastic B pillar

**imported_Ronin** · 11-07-2001, 09:05 PM

I applied another coat of Z5 to the bimmer on Sunday. Looked great. So Today I`m in the garage QDing, with the overhead light on and I notice some fine linear scratches/swirls on the hood. About 4" long and 1" wide. Something must have been caught in the foam applicator when I was applying the Z5.

These are my first swirls. I can`t feel the scratches/swirls with my fingernail. What product should I use to remove them? I was hunting for a post someone made a short while ago listing a lot of products in order of abrasiveness. A search proved unsuccessful. Any suggestions on product? Does anyone recall who posted the product list? Thanks.

**imported_Brad** · 11-07-2001, 09:15 PM

There are many choices but I remove most scratches with Finesse It II. 3M Swirl Mark Remover is a little finer. Pinnacle Paint Cleansing lotion is finer yet.

**rmccall6** · 11-07-2001, 09:51 PM

FinnesseIt 2 is good, but I prefer PerfectIt Machine glaze, anopther non-filler that IMO does an overall better job.

**DETAILKING** · 11-07-2001, 09:52 PM

Use Z1, press hard, and wait for it to dry completely before removal. It might be in the polish layer, and if so Z5 will do a great job filling it......

If that does not work....take BRAD B`s advice

**imported_Ronin** · 11-08-2001, 09:09 AM

Does Finesse It II have to be used by machine for proper results? I don`t have a PC.

**imported_Ronin** · 11-08-2001, 09:12 AM

I did apply another coat of Z5. When applying I pushed hard and worked it in well. It helped....a little. Maybe 2 more coats might work it all out, might not. I`ll also try the next application of Z5 with some Z1. Thanks for the suggestion. I have a feeling I might need the Finesse It II though. Hopefully not though. :up

**vettefan67** · 11-08-2001, 09:14 AM

I`m not Brad but I do know FI-II can be used by hand with good results. You may or may not need to use 3M Perfect-It II SMR after the Finesse it to remove any hazing the FI-II causes.

For best results with these products you should apply with even pressure with a foam or soft cotton pad in linear motions (front-to-back) with gradually decreasing pressure. The idea is to replace the deep scratches and swirls with finer and finer ones.

HTH,

puterbum

**staro0989** · 04-16-2010, 03:10 PM

I was wondering, can I use m105 or m205 polish to remove fine scratches from the B pillars(between front and rear window) on my car? The plastic is not clear coated.

Thanks

**gmblack3** · 04-16-2010, 03:38 PM

Tape over any rubber seals.

I usually use a 4" pad for this, but a 6.5" will work just need to work the area longer.

Try M205 on a while pad first. If that will not cut enough of the defects out, go with orange/M205. Then finish with black or white M205.

**staro0989** · 04-16-2010, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by gmblack3

Tape over any rubber seals.

I usually use a 4" pad for this, but a 6.5" will work just need to work the area longer.

Try M205 on a while pad first. If that will not cut enough of the defects out, go with orange/M205. Then finish with black or white M205.

Okay, sounds like a plan, thanks! I will probably end up using 5.5" pads since I have those right now.

**Street Dreams** · 04-16-2010, 04:11 PM

I have found M205 to not finish down 100% on most plastic pillars, something like Menzerna 85rd however does the trick just fine. M105 for cutting works great!

**staro0989** · 04-16-2010, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Street Dreams

I have found M205 to not finish down 100% on most plastic pillars, something like Menzerna 85rd however does the trick just fine. M105 for cutting works great!

I will give try finishing down with m205 first then if needed I`ll get some Menzerna 85rd.

**Street Dreams** · 04-16-2010, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by staro0989

I will give try finishing down with m205 first then if needed I`ll get some Menzerna 85rd.

Sounds like a plan. Reason I suggested the 85rd is because plastic pillars get very easily marred, you need to really refine your polish at low speed to create a haze free finish. M205 uses non diminishing abrasives so you are very limited in how long you can work it before it actually becomes counterproductive. Menz 85rd however can be refined for long periods of time because the abrasives get continuously finer, with a fine pad you have virtually unlimited work time

**staro0989** · 04-16-2010, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Street Dreams

Sounds like a plan. Reason I suggested the 85rd is because plastic pillars get very easily marred, you need to really refine your polish at low speed to create a haze free finish. M205 uses non diminishing abrasives so you are very limited in how long you can work it before it actually becomes counterproductive. Menz 85rd however can be refined for long periods of time because the abrasives get continuously finer, with a fine pad you have virtually unlimited work time

Gotcha, thanks. Maybe I will order 85rd eventually, seems to be great with finishing after m205.

**Street Dreams** · 04-17-2010, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by staro0989

Gotcha, thanks. Maybe I will order 85rd eventually, seems to be great with finishing after m205.

I do it all the time. On most paints 205 on the DA works fine for finishing, Todd suggested using it for no more than about 45 seconds and since doing that I found better results. On softer paints i prefer the extra work time of something like 85rd or 87mc