Cannot Get Rid Of Scratches

[Jonj1]

Can someone help me out here, I will state I am complete novice but I just don't have the money to get an old Focus detailed!

Anyway I recently got a replacement bonnet for my car, there are scratches all over it, I cannot feel them with my fingernail so I have got a DA machine, its not a professional one, it was the top rated non brand name off Amazon and I have a Lake Country 5.5" Heavy Cutting Pad, I am also using Meguiars Ultimate Compound.

The car paint was very faded, the ultimate compound has restored the colour but the scratches remain. It hasn't even dented them, I was using the DA on speed setting 4 and was just using the weight of my hand.

I used the technique that I have seen in many many many youtube vids of pack and forth then up and down overlapping motion.

If something could help me out here I would be very grateful thanks.

Its a 2007 Focus in red

[Summit_Detailing]

A photo or two of the scratches will help with trying to establish what you are facing.

Cheers,

Chris

[Jonj1]

Hi, Of course, here is a before pic :



And after :

[LeeJV]

Hi buddy, from my experience, Megs compound doesn't have that much cut, its more of a medium/ finish compound its only bringing colour back due to the pad type
Your better off doing a 2 stage, heavy cut compound and finish compound with a medium cut pad.
I've also used Scholl concepts S20 black, works really well with a DA, its a really good 1 step compound mated with a medium cutting pad. It has diminishing abrasives that start heavy and will refine at the end off the set.

[aka_kerrly]

A more aggressive compound like Felica G3 or better still the 3M 3 stage cutting/refining package will make light work of those scratches. The danger though is getting carried away and taking too much off.

Perhaps it would be wise practice some more with aggressive compounds and harder pads on your old bonnet to get a feel for how long you can spend on an area, how much pressure and how much w much product to use.

Also, tackle small areas at a time and regularly stop an wipe with a clean microfiber to check your progress. Oh and if you ever drop a pad on the floor be very very very careful about rescuing it as tiny bits of grit at 500rpm will add more scratches than you remove!!!

[Jonj1]

Thank you, appreciate the replies, I was scepticle about how much of a cut I would get with UC, but I already had it from months ago and it did actually bring back the colour of the paint just not fair enough to get those scratches, my new bonnet is going on the car today so will be able to practice on the old one.

Thanks again for the help and will report back in a few weeks when I have had a chance to order and do the polishing

[paintman]

Those look like sanding marks from either someone trying to remove surface defects or using too coarse a paper when prepping before painting.
It looks like the panel has areas of different colour. Is that a factory finish or a later effort by someone?

[Jonj1]

Hi, no its all the same colour, it looks different because the darker areas you can see with the hard borders is actually my phone, if I took it at a different angle would look the same colour

[Jonj1]

Oh you mean the "orange" type bits? No it's red, think its the ceiling thats making it look like that, but the colour is uniform.

[paintman]

Jonj1 said:

Oh you mean the "orange" type bits? No it's red, think its the ceiling thats making it look like that, but the colour is uniform.

Thanks. Makes sense. Just looked odd in your second pic.

[Jonj1]

Going to get some Scholl S20 and see how I get on. Can anyone recommend a pad to use with the S20, something that will get a reasonable cut.

Thanks

[Summit_Detailing]

Jonj1 said:

Going to get some Scholl S20 and see how I get on. Can anyone recommend a pad to use with the S20, something that will get a reasonable cut.

Thanks

I'm not sure S20 will be man enough to give you the result you are hoping for.

Koch Chemie H9 or The Last Cut would be a better option (imo) combined with a fairly aggressive pad, something like the Gyeon red or purple cutting pad.

Cheers,

Chris

[Jonj1]

Ah ok, I will give one of those a go then, need to get rid of these scratches!

Thanks for the advice

[LeeJV]

Scholl S20 black 1 step is pretty good IMO, and works really well with Chemical guys Green Hexlogic pads. its a diminishing abrasive and well lubricated so it doesn't dry out giving you plenty of working time esp on a DA. just based on my results