Any car guys on here? I have a scratch removal question.

[jarwood]

I know a lot of people who have boats are in to cars. So I thought I would see if someone had an answer to a few questions. I have a 07 Murano that is dark blue. I have never had a car that shows scratches so easily. What is the best way to remove these white scratches in the clearcoat? I have used rubbing compound and a polish but it only seems to dull the finish. I have been doing this by hand. Would a high speed buffer help remove the scratches and bring back the shine?

Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[avguy]

Tough question to answer with out actually seeing. A couple pics would help.
When you say scratches...can you catch your finger nail in them?

 

[jarwood]

Tough question to answer with out actually seeing. A couple pics would help.
When you say scratches...can you catch your finger nail in them?

A few yes but most of them are light surface scratches on the clear coat not into the paint. I will see if I can post some pics.

 

[tbirdvet]

Get 3M polishing compound for clear coat finishes. It is about 1500 grit equivalent and works great. Follow up with standard polish for even more shine.

 

[jarwood]

Get 3M polishing compound for clear coat finishes. It is about 1500 grit equivalent and works great. Follow up with standard polish for even more shine.

Thanks do you use a buffer or polish by hand?

 

[Kreole Kid]

Try a low speed buffer first, and if that improves it, hit it again a couple more times. If no results with the low speed, switch to a high speed polisher. Start with the compound on the high polisher, then finish with a polish/wax on the low speed buffer. Good luck:thumbsup:

 

[tbirdvet]

Jarwood: I always do by hand unless the area is very large

 

[billnpat]

Get 3M polishing compound for clear coat finishes. It is about 1500 grit equivalent and works great. Follow up with standard polish for even more shine.

Right on....:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[VTSeaRay]

Usually, if you can feel them with your fingernail, you won't be able to get them out, but it can't hurt to try. There are methods with full pictures online in some of the detailing forums.

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html for instance.

-VtSeaRay

 

[Twangled]

3M perfection is good compound, Be easy with compound on dark paint with a power buffer, it'll swirl. If there small go by hand and follow up with polish on a buffer. if you have a large area, go with a foam pad, if you have more exper. you can use a wool pad at 1400-1800 rpm or so, but itll peel the paint off quick. If perfection doesnt cut it, try diamond cut 2.0, thats what I assult oxidized gelcoat with, use that by hand, has consistantly similar to fast orange. Good luck

 

[Lady Ashley SR560]

compound is good for light scratches. If there deep you need to wet sand. fill a five gal. bucket with water and a little dish soap. 3M 2000 grit wet paper. A sanding sponge(avail at local auto body paint jobbers). its inportant to wrap the paper around the sponge so even preasure is applied across the paper. Clean the aera first and gently begin sanding. Take rag or lg. sponge and b sure to keep the aera good and wet. you will see the water turn white & milky.(this is the clear coat) Stop every 20 -30 sec. wipe clean with your wery wet rag then squegie the water off the affected aera. Blow on the aera . As it dries you will see any surface imperfection remains wet longer cause the water is deeper in the scratch. repeat till scratch is removed. Becareful not to break through the clear coat.(water will turn the color of the car.) Now you can buff. 3 steps. 1. rubbing Compound 2. Polishing Copmound 3. Swirl mark remover. The local paint jobber can walk you through the process. good Luck

 

[ImpulseIII]

Try www.adamspolishes.com . They have several video tutorials on swirl and scratch removal. Their products are outstanding.

 

[Chris R]

Sounds to me he simply has the typical spider "scratches" one gets on dark paint when washing and drying your car with cotton towels, or cheapo micro fibers. I've had black cars for as long as I can remember. The 3m compound mentioned in an earlier post works very well. Two things: go with the least aggressive compound you can get away with or you may ruin your paint. Use a buffer and get some foam pads to apply the compound/polish. Go to Autogeek.net they have everything you need including some videos how to do it.