[CU2] Black car, what to do?

[HunterZero]

Wonder if any of these processes actually work of it's a hoax... Anyone even seen this before or even tried it? Still there are quite a few comments that reported success...

http://www.wisebread.com/remove-car-...ly-and-cheaply

I think that you could remove most of the scratches on the door by hand with some mild scratch remover (eg Meguiars Ultimate Compound, ScratchX 2), then finish with a finer finishing polish (eg SwirlX, 205 Ultra Finishing Polish or Meguiars Speed Glaze 80). You'll at least reduce the appearance of the other scratches, but removing deeper scratches completely without a machine buffer will take forever. Then you can touch up whatever deep scratches are left if you choose.

But it's a near-new car, it's worth repairing properly IMHO.

Yes, definitely a good idea to wait a few weeks to allow repaint to cure before re-applying any wax, protectant or sealant.

- HZ

[HunterZero]

hey ive been noticng alot of REALLLLy light scratch marks. like randomly long lines appearing on my door. obviously someone or something caused them, but theyre like in really wierd positions that look like a door cudnt have done it, and a person would have been a midget to "brush past" against it.
its a volcanic grey car. so only noiceable up close.

It's likely these are microscratches from washing it improperly, or with a dirty sponge/chamois. They show up more on dark coloured cars like yours. What do you wash/dry the car with? Did you wash the car in the sun?

To prevent further scratches from appearing when washing, you need to change your wash procedure.

First, throw away any existing sponges and chamois you have.

A chamois seems good for drying a car and cleaning the paint, but they tend to pick up grit left on the surface and drag it across the paint which leaves fine scratches.

Always wash in the shade. Rinse the car thoroughly. Remove any bug bodies, eg from the front.

Get yourself a good microfibre (will last longer) or lambswool wash mitt and good car wash like Meguiars NXT wash or Mothers California Gold, and two buckets - one for soap, and one with plain water to rinse the mitt with after you take it off the car, before you go for another dunk of soap. Wash from top to bottom, and wash wheels using a SEPARATE wash mitt/sponge.

Next, get a stack of good microfibre towels, and some quick detailer spray. To dry the car, mist with the quick detailer to help lubricate the towel and wipe down the car. Keep turning the towel as you work, and swap to a new towel regularly.

When you wash microfibre, DON'T use fabric softener with it.

If the car gets really dirty, you'll feel that the paint gets 'gritty'. You'll need a clay detailing bar (google it) and/or paint cleaner to properly clean the paint of contaminants and return it to feeling smooth.

would waxing and stuff protect it from light scratches? wax is like a spray or something right? or something in a tub you rub on?

Wax has fairly minimal protection properties, it's mostly for show. Although it does offer some protection against water marks, and stops some road grime from sticking.

You can get paint cleaners and swirl removers that will lessen or remove the swirls, then you can get a paint sealant that offers a bit more protection. The sealant will typically last several months then you have to reapply.

You should ONLY apply wax or sealant after you've properly cleaned/polished/prepared the paint.

Meguiars or Mothers California Gold are good lines of products to start with, or you can get 'enthusiast' kits on the web from: http://www.waxit.com.au

Or you can pay someone to detail your car for you when it gets too scratched.

Welcome to the joys of keeping a car looking nice. It can take a fair bit of work, but the results are enjoyable.

- HZ

[avantgarde84]

Wonder if any of these processes actually work of it's a hoax... Anyone even seen this before or even tried it? Still there are quite a few comments that reported success...

http://www.wisebread.com/remove-car-...ly-and-cheaply

I think that you could remove most of the scratches on the door by hand with some mild scratch remover (eg Meguiars Ultimate Compound, ScratchX 2), then finish with a finer finishing polish (eg SwirlX, 205 Ultra Finishing Polish or Meguiars Speed Glaze 80). You'll at least reduce the appearance of the other scratches, but removing deeper scratches completely without a machine buffer will take forever. Then you can touch up whatever deep scratches are left if you choose.

But it's a near-new car, it's worth repairing properly IMHO.

Yes, definitely a good idea to wait a few weeks to allow repaint to cure before re-applying any wax, protectant or sealant.

- HZ

Hey thanks for your advice mate. Yea the scratches on the door arent deep at all, they appear like the tail end of a comet in the sky and I reckon using that scratch remover would help. Then there is the other bigger scuffs on the panel at the wheel arch that I will use the touchup paint to repair. Will try all the DIY possibilities before surrendering and letting the pros handle it. I could DIY the scuffs myself including polishing it myself than have the paint protection guys do the job for $50. Will put up the same pics in the detailing section for their advice. If my repair job comes good will surely put up After pics for you guys to see.... Now to Supercheap Auto for the scratch removers...

[BraXta]

my advice..

Park far FAR FARRRRR away from supermarket parking places...
keep it clean as much as you can...

Use a microfibre mit and buffin clothes... (they are the Shit)

i got myself a new Autoglym chamois and im in love =D its got holes and sucks up the water well even on the first go...

Refer to link =D
AutoGlyme Aqua Dry

[tony1234]

my advice..

Park far FAR FARRRRR away from supermarket parking places...
keep it clean as much as you can...

Use a microfibre mit and buffin clothes... (they are the Shit)

i got myself a new Autoglym chamois and im in love =D its got holes and sucks up the water well even on the first go...

Refer to link =D
AutoGlyme Aqua Dry

Where did you get the Autoglym chamois from?

[BraXta]

AUTTTOOOOOOO ONE !!!


lol... in wollongong they just started stocking them... also they finally got Mother Clay bars too =D (next on list)

[Joystick]

Hey guys, I have a couple of very fine scratches (feels smooth to touch), I'm using a pure polish applied by hand and working it in until it breaks down and cleaning it off with some car detailing spray and drying with a microfiber towel.

Only problem is it removed some of the very fine scratches but a couple still remain. Is it just a case of using a more abrasive polish or is my above method flawed?

I know applying via machine would probably increase my chances of removing the very fine scratches rate but I don't have one atm.

[Type R Positive]

i got myself a new Autoglym chamois and im in love =D its got holes and sucks up the water well even on the first go...

Refer to link =D
AutoGlyme Aqua Dry

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Scratches!

Try microfiber drying towel. They work sweet with no scratches.

[buddah51au]

Hey guys, I have a couple of very fine scratches (feels smooth to touch), I'm using a pure polish applied by hand and working it in until it breaks down and cleaning it off with some car detailing spray and drying with a microfiber towel.

Only problem is it removed some of the very fine scratches but a couple still remain. Is it just a case of using a more abrasive polish or is my above method flawed?

I know applying via machine would probably increase my chances of removing the very fine scratches rate but I don't have one atm.

Try Some Meguiars Scratch X as a start, if that doesn't rectify the problem machine buffing would be the next option

[denot]

Try Some Meguiars Scratch X as a start, if that doesn't rectify the problem machine buffing would be the next option

Buddah, is using Scratch X fix swirl mark? or should I go with the paint repairer suggested by you?

[buddah51au]

I have never tried using Scratch X for removing swirl marks so I cant give a positive or negative answer

[Type R Positive]

Buddah, is using Scratch X fix swirl mark? or should I go with the paint repairer suggested by you?

I used some scratch x with my random orbital last week.
It worked pretty good. I haven't tried it by hand though.