Bilt Hamber : Auto Balm

[jl88]

Hi, I`ve been following this forum for a while and I`ve learned alot about detailing over the past few months. I`ve switched to Zaino after reading all the good reviews on this board. However, I think i`ve met my first detailing challenge.

There are 2 scratches on the trunk of my silver colored car. They range from 4-8 inches in length. They can be lightly felt by running over them with your fingernail, but I don`t think they are past the clearcoat.

Which products should I use to get rid of the scratches? Should I start with the 3M SMR or should I just go for the 3M Finesse-It Finishing Material followed by the SMR?

below are the pictures I`ve taken. Any advice would be welcomed!

[imported_doug]

Sorry - it is reallly hard to tell from the photos how bad the scratches are. The rest of the finish looks great, though!



As a general rule (and especially before you develop a good sense of exactly what each compound will do on your paint) you should always start with the least aggressive compound you think MIGHT work. In your case, that means starting with SMR. If you`re not satisified then try something harsher, knowing that you may need to follow it with a milder compound if it creates hazing, as FI-II finishing can do, and rubbing compound almost certainly will.



However - once you can feel a scratch with your finger, it is probably pretty deep. You can diminish its appearance with these products because the edges will be smoothed and rounded - but polishing away enough clear-coat to actually level the paint there is somewhat risky. Again, without seeing the scratch I can`t say "do" or "don`t" - but please be careful!



Good luck

[DETAILKING]

I agree....just try to reduce the visibility of it by rounding the edges and maybe then useing a few coats of Z5. If it is that deep, I wouldn`t even try to level out the clear that far....

[BradE]

You could try filling the scratches, and then wet sanding them. They would look much better, but you would still be able to tell they are there. Wet Sanding long scratches can be trickey sometimes, you you might want to have a pro look at if if you have never done it before.



If you don`t want to go that route, just use some abrasives to round off the edges and make it less visable. :up

[jl88]

Thanks for the replies! The shine is due to my Zaino use (7 layers of Z2 + 2 layers of Z1).



Another question, should I apply the abrasive along the same direction of the scratch, or perpendicular to it? I should use a back and forth motion, correct?



thanks!

[isla]

hi ,



Sweep Test : 45 minutes ...
buff : ok .
Touch : not a caranuba wax .
Beading / Sheeting : look diff?rent
Protection : first time i use so i dont know

Photos : 24h after waxing


clay : 3M / born slippy
cleaner : meg`s DC1
glaze : IMP HG 3M last a night
Auto balm : sealent paste



#1 :


#2 :


#3 :


#4 :


#5 :


#6 :


outside pict : + 24h ( so more than 48 after waxing )
#7 :


#8 :



i really happy with this color , my MMM Rosa don`t do that...
thanks to the sun from R?union Island

[Old Pirate]

Let us know how it works out for you isla, maybe someday trying out Blackfire on it also!

[isla]

i ear a lot about blackfire ...
what i see (pict) is awesome !!!

i need to find a way to try them , but buy in US are vrey loud for me ( plane cost and taxes )

i hear about new menzerna sealent too ( some french detailer`s say that he seem to be ....in the style ) ...

if some one say me a place to buy them , i`m gonna try them .

oups i see pakshak , so i no escuse , and will see that .

[imported_Sal329]

How did you apply the autobalm? It is not like most , harder to apply but looks great and lasts along while

[isla]

i use a sonus pad ( black face )
a 75mL water pschit , use the wax in the alu hat first and do a prime pad in.

one hand the pad , one the pschit , and the wax hat ...

you`are right it`s not the simply way i wax a car .

i wash the pad like i do for all my previous product and i must re-wash it


i also ear that detailling bliss in england deal blackfire ,
they dont want to deliver me.

other store ???