Help me with clusters of fine scratches!

Rogue3000- I'd sure be careful with the cotton lest you induce *new* marring. I really urge you to get some quality MFs (OK OK, I know I'm being qa broken record about this :o ), but for now, OK, try the softest cotton you have and hope for the best.



3M and Meguiar's make decent MF that you can get at many autobody/paint supply places ;)
 
Well guys, I have an update! The Scratch X and Foam Applicator Pad (I went out and got one, didn't even test my luck with the cotton) seems to have done the trick! I've sucessfully removed about 3/4 of the scratches (~8). Problem is, I've really worked the Scratch X in, as per the advice of this link, provided by Eliot Ness

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forum...p;threadid=1516

however, if you get down to the level of the paint and look at the area at a low angle, you can see circular swirly scratches. The rest of the car looks smooth and clean, however once you see the area where the large clusters of huge scratches were before, you definately notice. (Keep in mind this is all looking at it at a very low angle; your face essentially pushed against the car).



My question is can i remove these faint microscopic scratches? I feel i've worked the scratchX in quite a bit, and used a fair amount of elbow grease (I dont have a buffer/porter cable, everything by hand) Should I just continue using the scratch X by hand and keep on working it in, purchase a PorterCable/Buffer to apply it, or use a different product for this part? Keep in mind i'm an EXTREME newbie to the car appearance care scene (as you probably have gathered), and I've never handled something like an electric buffer/PC before, so odds are i'll probably do more harm. What do you all think?



Thanks again for all your help, Those scratches were driving me nuts!



PS: What is a QD?



Alfisti said:
MF and some QD, like Megs Quik Detailer or Mothers Showtime (my favourite).
Click to expand...
 
Rogue3000 said:
PS: What is a QD?
Click to expand...



Quick Detailer (or Instant Detailer)spray:

"Treat your paint to a Showtime® sparkle thatâ€â„¢s wet and striking. Whether you want to clear a layer of dust or prepare for the judges, use Showtime® Instant Detailer. This unique formula will clean off fingerprints, smudges and dust, and hide minor imperfections and spiderwebbing. We didnâ€â„¢t create this stuff with magic-itâ€â„¢s designed with color enhancers and shine fortifiers, ready whenever you need your ride to look freshly detailed."



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...and many others!
 
Rogue3000 said:
... if you get down to the level of the paint and look at the area at a low angle, you can see circular swirly scratches.



My question is can i remove these faint microscopic scratches? I feel i've worked the scratchX in quite a bit, and used a fair amount of elbow grease (I dont have a buffer/porter cable, everything by hand) Should I just continue using the scratch X by hand and keep on working it in, purchase a PorterCable/Buffer to apply it, or use a different product for this part?
Click to expand...



If the scratches are from the Scratch-X you need to use a finer product. If not, then either use the Scratch-ZX some more or try something different.



I don't think you really *need* a PC to solve this problem. But if you do want to get one, don't worry about messing things up with it, you'll do fine (really).



I guess I'd go back to me "get some 3M PI-III MG (05937)" advice.
 
ScratchX shouldn't leave any micro-scratches if you're using a foam applicator and its worked in enough.



It should be worked in until it goes clear and leaves an oily residue. If its still a creamy colour when you wipe off, then it hasn't broken down.



On the last couple of applications, apply less, rub gently until it goes transparent, and keep rubbing gently at various angles for another 30 secs.



This will insure that the diminishing abrasives have, in fact, diminished, and the (now) ultrafine abrasive is employed to remove any micro-marring that ScratchX might have initially instilled.



BTW, what colour is your paint?
 
My paint is Crystal Grey Metallic (slightly darker shade of silver, new for 05's). I continued working in the scratch-x with a little more elbow grease and it did the trick; the scratch is completely gone! Thanks so much to everyone on here who helped me out. Without you guys I surelly woulda spent tons of money and probably messed my car up even more . I thank you for your digital slaps, and i've learned my lesson: NO MORE SPONGES!! Plus, you've gotten me hooked on making my car superclean, so I'll definately be posting some pics up on the forums next time i give er' a wash! :)



thanks again!
 
Rogue, these guys and gals are great, as you have witnessed !!! Good luck and happy detailing !!
 
Hey all, im back! Well, you guys gave me great advice, and i thank all of you so much, but i have one more request. While i was in the process of marring my paint using a sponge, I also did some "damage" do my windsheild. Some of that purple gunk (if you remember) that i was trying to clean off ended up on my windsheild too, and i used the sponge to remove it. Now, when the sun hits it at the right angle, I can see the faint fine scratches. They're very small though, not big enough to catch your fingernail on if you run it over it. What to do? Someone told me to rub toothpaste in it, but geez......any suggestions? thanks again all.
 
Im not an expert, but before i try to remove any scratches I wash(very very well) ,dry, clay the area, then work on the scratches.



If you havnt clayed yet, i would do this.
 
Scratches on glass are tough, and often you just have to live with them :( There are different grades of polish for glass, but anything aggressive enough to remove actual marring (as opposed to residue) will almost certainly require a machine. Sorry I can't be of more help with this one...
 
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