need some help removing scratch

M

MoogieBoogie

New member
Hi everyone,



I'm not sure who the jerk was that scratched my car, but I really hope what comes around goes around.



In any case, I now have a two foot long scratch along the lower section of my driver's side door and quarterpanel. It's about one millimeter in thickness and the depth is significant enough that you can glide your finger across the surface and feel it. Now my questions:



1) Is there anything I can do to remove this scratch? If not, any chance I could make it less noticeable? I've tried putting a claybar across the scratch, in hopes that it would "rub off", but I could still see it. Should I try polishing compound? 3M Imperial Hand Glaze?



2) My paint is nearly 10 years old. However, it has been well maintained and still has a glossy shine (paint is maroonish red). What should I use to protect the paint and make it really shine? I've searched and read many threads, and it seems that a lot of people like using Klasse All-in-One, and after layering this product three times or so, seal it off with Klasse Sealant-Glaze. Should I try this? I was about to order tonight, but I wanted to make sure by asking you guys. Also, Autogeek is an affiliated site with this forum? What would I do to remove the light swirl marks that have accumulated over the years? What is the best product to remove them?



Basically, as many people do, I want to get the most glossy possible shine for my car, short of repainting it. I'm willing to put in the time and effort to do so. I have a lot of reading to do here, so I was hoping that by answering these questions, you could help point me in the right direction. Also, I'm pretty much a novice at this, so I don't think I would be brave enough to start using an orbital buffer.



Thanks everyone!

-Brian.
 
3M IHG probably won't do a lot for the scratch, since it is mostly a glaze, which is like an oil, which fills imperfections in the paint, but don't last that long. Since you said that you could feel the scratch, I think that getting some touch up paint and fixing it that way would be your best bet. You might want to try feeling the area in question with your finger nail and seeing if you can 'catch' your finger nail on the scratch. It has been a while since I read through this link, but I know it has some great info on touch up. http://www.autopia.ws/articles.php?articleId=27



I gotta get to work, so I'll let someone else guide you on protectant. Don't be scared of an orbital buffer. They just jiggle like a fast hand, so they safely make work go faster. Don't be scared of them is the concensus here!



Kev
 
If this scratch is as bad as you make it sound, looks like there isn't too much you're going to be able to do about it.



I would start with some DACP or #1 just to see what that did to it. Then move into the compounds.



As for the orbitals, there is NOTHING to be afraid of. There is no way to harm you car with an orbital buffer just short of using sand paper or finding an edge to scratch your car with. They are extremely safe. It's like riding a bike. Take five minutes to get oriented, then off you go.



Good Luck!
 
Thanks for the quick replies!



What's DACP and #1? I'm not familiar with these acronyms.



The scratch isn't down to the metal, but it isn't a light surface scratch from what I could see.



So should I use 3M IHG to remove swirl marks, before applying the Klasse products?



Thanks again!

-Brian.
 
http://www.autopia.org/display.php?file=acronyms.htm

3M's IHG isn't really an abrasive product. Meguiar's #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish is, and Meguiars #1 Medium Cut Cleaner is a step up in abrasiveness if I recall correctly. If you think this is a scratch that should be removed by and abrasive rather than touch up, then go for it.



Klasse is a polymer system which doesn't really get along with glazes too well. If you are going to use klasse, I wouldn't mess with glazing. The first step in the system, Klasse All In One would probably strip the glaze that you applied...it is a chemical cleaner. With some "systems", you have to take special measures to make sure all oiles have been washed away. Klasse is nice because AIO does that for you, before you use their Sealant Glaze.



If I missed something, bounce it back in my face, or fire away with more questions! ;) Off to beddie bye
 
Thanks for the reply!



So if I wanted to remove light swirl marks on my car before applying the Klasse system, what would I use? Would I use the Dual Action Cleaner Polish, or would that be too much?



I'm going to run over to Walmart and try some Scratch-X. I can't sleep knowing my car is scratched... argh!



Thanks again,

-Brian.
 
Supposedly DACP has deminishing abrasives, so as you work it in, the abrasives get smaller and polish out the haze that they previously induced. I haven't experimented enough to know if that feature [deminishing abrasives] is enough to not need to follow up with another, milder product. My guess is that Klasse AIO would clean up most of the hazing from DACP...that is if there is any. Klasse AIO is a chemical cleaner with no abrasives...so maybe I'm off my rocker.



Scratch-X is reportedly a good product for touch up imperfections, like scratches, but not as good for use on an entire car. I've tried it in that manner, and if my swirls weren't of the nature that they are, I think I might have been successful.
 
Thanks for the reply.



I used Scratch-X and it smoothed out the finer parts of the scratch. There is a section where I suppose the point of impact of the scratch was, that probably needs professional paint repair, but I wonder if the rest of the scratch could be removed with DACP. Is DACP for use with an orbital buffer? The other parts of the scratch is actually black (the car paint is red), so does this sound like something that could be removed or hidden with DACP?



Also, what do you mean about the hazing? Would the paint appear dull after the use of DACP? Would this be a permanent effect?



From what I can gather from the information you've provided is that you use a more abrasive product, which results in hazing. Then you use a less abrasive product to "polish" out the hazing? So would DACP followed by Scratch-X work?



Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

-Brian.
 
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