Will it buff out??

[Ungarsee]

Rather annoyingly I've managed to scrape most of the way down one side of my car while trying to manouvre in a tight spot. I need to clean it up to see how bad it really is but is there a general rule of thumb on how to know whether a good detailer will be able to 'buff it out' (for want of a better term!)

Also, can anyone recommend anyone operating in or around SE London?

Thanks

[TallPaul]

A (very) rough guide would be if you can feel it as you rub your nail over, its unlikely to buff out. Might be possible to fill it with lacquer then sand & polish, or may need painting but its not really possible to diagnose without seeing it in the flesh.

[Nimburs]

Hi Phil

www.divinedetail.co.uk might be able to help you out in your area.

[paintman]

TallPaul said:

A (very) rough guide would be if you can feel it as you rub your nail over, its unlikely to buff out. Might be possible to fill it with lacquer then sand & polish, or may need painting but its not really possible to diagnose without seeing it in the flesh.

^^^^
After removal of anything that has been deposited by the surface you came into contact with draw your nail across at rightangles to the scratch, if it catches then that scratch may not polish out.
If a scratch seems to disappear when wet it will probably polish out but you may not get the surface flat, taking the 'eye' off it may be the best you can get.
I have had some success with the lacquer filling as suggested.
If you have been daft enough to get the car 'detailed' then the lacquer that has been removed may be sufficient to ensure that none of the above will work & a panel respray is the only option.

[Ungarsee]

Cheers all. Never had the car detailed, just cleaned in the normal way. Is a clay bar the best way of ensuring everything that should come off is off?