Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

[wowbird]

I have a black 02 bird that is a real beauty (my humble opinion). I have owned many black cars and as you expect the black finish is sooo much work to keep looking nice. I never drive the car in bad weather (for one thing I don't want to get the wire wheels wet) and never go through a car wash. I carefully hand wash this baby.

I have several very minor little scratches in the clear coat. Is there a way to fix these without making a bigger mess and making them even more noticable short of a new paint job. The problem just does not justify a new paint job.

Thanks for your replies and comments.

[Lonestar]

Re: Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

Go here

www.properautocare.com

or here

www.adamswax.com

and read to your heart's content on the process of bringing a finish back to life (basically, clay, scratch removal, polish, finish). It is not easy, you can not do it effectively by hand, it is not fast, and it is not cheap but it is worthwhile. Now, if you run your fingernail across the place and there is any hanging of your fingernail then you will be able to make the finish better but will not be able to eliminate the flaws altogether. If your fingernail does not hang then a fantastic finish is just time and effort away.

[Rondor]

Re: Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

I think I would go to a reputable body shop and have them buffed out. I wouldn't think it would be that costly and a lot faster.Theese guys who do it every day have a feeel for it. I have seen may paint jobs ruined with a buffer

[Tbyrdy]

Re: Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

Base/clear areas can be sanded, repainted, and recleared if necessary without affecting the whole panel! Neat stuff compared to lacquer!

[austx]

Re: Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

I rescued my Blk '05 from an abusive owner who had driven it through brush operated car washes, (yes, I know, there should be a law against such cruelty.) In direct sunlight the swirl marks were painfully ugly. I used a clay bar and "Meguire's Scratch X" to make the blemishes as well as minor scratches disappear. You really can work miracles with Scratch X - using either hand application or with a buffer. It can also be used to brighten plastic headlight covers to their original clarity and polish out minor dings in the side view mirror fronts - recommend a buffer for those 2 jobs. I know I sound like a commercial for the stuff, but I know it's a great product because I've used it years.

Tom

[PaulD]

Re: Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

I rescued my Blk '05 from an abusive owner who had driven it through brush operated car washes, (yes, I know, there should be a law against such cruelty.) In direct sunlight the swirl marks were painfully ugly. I used a clay bar and "Meguire's Scratch X" to make the blemishes as well as minor scratches disappear. You really can work miracles with Scratch X - using either hand application or with a buffer. It can also be used to brighten plastic headlight covers to their original clarity and polish out minor dings in the side view mirror fronts - recommend a buffer for those 2 jobs. I know I sound like a commercial for the stuff, but I know it's a great product because I've used it years.

Tom

Tom...from what I have seen, the Mequires Scratch X is relatively new...at least it is to me as I only discovered it recently. Have not had a chance to try it yet but the clay bar then Scratch X then new wax approach looks like a good process to me. Since Scratch X is an abrasive (but a very mild one), I was concerned about it removing the clear coat down to the paint. Could you tell if all the "smoothing" action was all in the clear coat layer or did it remove the clear coat?

[austx]

Re: Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

Paul, "Meguire's Scratch X" has been around for a long time. It was reformulated to "Scratch X2" late, 09 or early '10. The really mild abrasive factor will not cut through a clear coat without an extremely improper application - you would really have to work at it to cause damage with "Scratch X". I've used it aggressively with a buffer in "nothing to lose" situations and successfully restored marred clear coats. You can gently polish away some pretty deep scratches if the clear coat is not penetrated to the color coat. You are indeed removing clear coat, but at such a minute rate, you can maintain total control of the smoothing and polishing process. Following the polishing, I like a wax called "P21S. Not so long lasting as some, but totally clear, do the rubber and plastic if you like, you will never see a white residue. Precious little labor is needed and it leaves that deep wet look which is especially attractive on black cars.

[PaulD]

Re: Small scratches in the clear coat: How can you fix them?

Paul, "Meguire's Scratch X" has been around for a long time. It was reformulated to "Scratch X2" late, 09 or early '10. The really mild abrasive factor will not cut through a clear coat without an extremely improper application - you would really have to work at it to cause damage with "Scratch X". I've used it aggressively with a buffer in "nothing to lose" situations and successfully restored marred clear coats. You can gently polish away some pretty deep scratches if the clear coat is not penetrated to the color coat. You are indeed removing clear coat, but at such a minute rate, you can maintain total control of the smoothing and polishing process. Following the polishing, I like a wax called "P21S. Not so long lasting as some, but totally clear, do the rubber and plastic if you like, you will never see a white residue. Precious little labor is needed and it leaves that deep wet look which is especially attractive on black cars.

I called Meguires to see what they recommended. It is almost impossible to tell what the real differences are in some of their products just from the on line descriptions. Fortunately, my black bird only has very mild swirls and no serious scratches to deal with. I wanted it to have a deep wet look so their technician recommended following:

Step 1) Clay - to clean off any surface contiminates. I don't really have much contamination (trees/birds/etc) to deal with but I am going to do it anyway just to make sure I have a super clean surface as a baseline to work with. Clay comes in several grades from fine to agressive. I will be using the "mild" version.

Step 2) Swirl and blemish removal. Since my blemishes are minor, they recommended using ScratchX on the blemishes but use Ultimate Polish for the entire car. They said the only real difference between SwirlX and the Ultimate Polish is that the Ultimate Polish has some oils in it that benefit the paint. I will use ScratchX on a few spots and then use Ultimate Polish over the entire car. That should give me a swirl free finish to apply wax to.

Step 3) Wax - Lots of options but since I am using a buffer, they recommended Ultimate Liquid Wax for several reasons. a) It can be wiped off even if it is not completely dry, b) does not leave a white residue on trim like other waxs can...including their own brand. He had several tips...(1) do not wax whole car at one time - wax a section and then wipe off and (2) use blue painters tape to mask off any trim or areas that you do not want the wax to get on.

I hope to have this done before Texas Thunder.