Novice here concerning what to do about light scratches in the clear coat. Obviously would like to remove the scratches and apply a good wax. So how do you remove the scratches? Somebody told me you get the best results by using a buffer to remove scratches and getting a good shine from the wax. What are the facts regarding these questions? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Light scratches in clear coat -What to do?
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2019 Hellcat Redeye in white knuckle with silver stripes
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Here ya go...Junkman knows!
http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/f40/junkmans-how-restore-your-paints-finish-videos-16497/
http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/f40/junkmans-how-restore-your-paints-finish-videos-16497/
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I would use 3M Hand Glaze (05990) No buffer..
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you didn't mention color. Black requires special consideration.
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Scratch-x is great for removing superficial or light scratch marks that you may get from day to day driving.
For removing light clear coat micro-scratches that are all over the finish I use 3M swirl remover twice a year
on my black Challenger. A medium to hard density foam pad on my dual action polisher at
medium speed after a good wash and prior to waxing leaves the finish deep as hell and streak free.
After the winter storage I also clay bar following washing and prior to using buffer. I have to say that in
my experience, applying wax with a machine does little more than speed up the job. I like to apply wax or
paint sealant by hand so I can get it into every nook and cranny evenly. Get yourself a good buffer and pad
(Not lamb's wool) and keep it slightly moist and you'll never have to worry about burning through the clear.
For removing light clear coat micro-scratches that are all over the finish I use 3M swirl remover twice a year
on my black Challenger. A medium to hard density foam pad on my dual action polisher at
medium speed after a good wash and prior to waxing leaves the finish deep as hell and streak free.
After the winter storage I also clay bar following washing and prior to using buffer. I have to say that in
my experience, applying wax with a machine does little more than speed up the job. I like to apply wax or
paint sealant by hand so I can get it into every nook and cranny evenly. Get yourself a good buffer and pad
(Not lamb's wool) and keep it slightly moist and you'll never have to worry about burning through the clear.
It is grey in color. I have always heard that if you can't catch your finger nail on the scratch you can get it out. Nothing that bad that I have found yet. I don't know if that is true or not. Take a breath. It is on my dads Chevy truck. Not a Challenger. Just trying to get it to look as it did the day he got as humanly possible. Put a little wax on it and it will probably look a lot better.
I am glad those videos were pointed out to me because I am definitely a novice at this using a buffer. My dad heard that if you knew how to use a buffer it would do a much better job of removing the scratches and getting a high gloss shine hen applying the wax. When he told me that I was thinking I hope that is not true. I was hoping I could get some very good results doing everything by hand. I watched almost all of that particular video and he has me thinking that maybe "I" can get proficient at using a buffer and get some spectacular results. Got my fingers crossed. Thanks for all the tips and advice. I am one of those that firmly believes you can't have to much information when trying to learn new things or form a opinion on anything.
I am glad those videos were pointed out to me because I am definitely a novice at this using a buffer. My dad heard that if you knew how to use a buffer it would do a much better job of removing the scratches and getting a high gloss shine hen applying the wax. When he told me that I was thinking I hope that is not true. I was hoping I could get some very good results doing everything by hand. I watched almost all of that particular video and he has me thinking that maybe "I" can get proficient at using a buffer and get some spectacular results. Got my fingers crossed. Thanks for all the tips and advice. I am one of those that firmly believes you can't have to much information when trying to learn new things or form a opinion on anything.
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Bravo my friend! As long as you have a dual action buffer you would have to work very hard to screw up.
You're correct about the fingernail thing as a rule of thumb....sorry bout the pun!
Well you see I have had the unfortunate fate a couple of times where I later said to someone " I wish I had known that one little detail" Good advice sans one small minor detail can lead to an epic fail sometimes.
That and I consider myself a part-time inventor. When you are exploring new ideas or trying to solve a problem it helps to have all the info you can get or is available.
That and I consider myself a part-time inventor. When you are exploring new ideas or trying to solve a problem it helps to have all the info you can get or is available.
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There is no magic product and wax does not provide the shine.
If there are scratches in the clear coat, a paint correction is required to remove the scratches. If they are light a GLAZE might fill them for a while but it does not remove them. Wax only protects the paint, the shine comes from a flawless finish on the paint, not wax.
Though I do have my favorite products, pretty much all quality products are pretty much the same.
There is no free lunch, quality results takes work and careful attention to detail. The world of detailing products is big and advertising hype is everywhere.
In short what you need to do is
Wash the car with a quality AUTO soap.
Clay the paint.
Buff/polish the paint to remove imperfections.
Apply a Glaze to fill in micro imperfections which should not be there if the buff was done correctly.
Apply a sealant to protect the glaze and the paint.
Apply a wax to protect the sealant.
Only do a 2 bucket wash after that when washing.
For light touchup, a detailers spray and a microfiber cloth LIGHTLY over the paint will clean dust.
Keep the car clean. A quick detail after driving for the day goes a long way to keeping it clean and prolonging the life of the wax and sealent.
Never use a cloth dry on the paint
never use a duster.
Like all things, ask 100 people and you will get that many different answers so YMMV!
If there are scratches in the clear coat, a paint correction is required to remove the scratches. If they are light a GLAZE might fill them for a while but it does not remove them. Wax only protects the paint, the shine comes from a flawless finish on the paint, not wax.
Though I do have my favorite products, pretty much all quality products are pretty much the same.
There is no free lunch, quality results takes work and careful attention to detail. The world of detailing products is big and advertising hype is everywhere.
In short what you need to do is
Wash the car with a quality AUTO soap.
Clay the paint.
Buff/polish the paint to remove imperfections.
Apply a Glaze to fill in micro imperfections which should not be there if the buff was done correctly.
Apply a sealant to protect the glaze and the paint.
Apply a wax to protect the sealant.
Only do a 2 bucket wash after that when washing.
For light touchup, a detailers spray and a microfiber cloth LIGHTLY over the paint will clean dust.
Keep the car clean. A quick detail after driving for the day goes a long way to keeping it clean and prolonging the life of the wax and sealent.
Never use a cloth dry on the paint
never use a duster.
Like all things, ask 100 people and you will get that many different answers so YMMV!
I saw a detailer on u-tube and he was showing how to detailing a trunk lid. He first used a duster on one side ,then detailed both sides, the side that was dusted first was scratch free, the side that was just detailed had a lot of fine scratches. I would think that you would want the car dust free before using detailing spray.
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Turtle wax scratch removal system.
Comes with different grit pads and paint clarifier
If it is only scratches in the clear and you cannot hook them with your fingernail, then the clarifier that comes in the kit will do it
I have used on Red, silver and black and works very well
Comes with different grit pads and paint clarifier
If it is only scratches in the clear and you cannot hook them with your fingernail, then the clarifier that comes in the kit will do it
I have used on Red, silver and black and works very well
A duster will cause scratches also.
A good detail spray or waterless wash will lift the dust and light dirt from the paint and hold it in suspension. The microfiber towel with long nap, will then glide over the paint and pick up the dirt.
Very LIGHT if ANY pressure is used on the towel, all the work is done with the spray.
I have no reason to doubt you. Depending on how much pressure the "detailer" used when he did his demonstration, he can have vastly different outcomes thus backing up the desired result that he was trying to make a point of in a video
What I said works for me and after the many many hours I have in paint correction on my car, I would not do anything to void all that work.
If you have something else that works for you, by all means do it
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