Hit an overgrown bush, light scrath all down one side

[Casa1862]

I've got a six month old Vauxhall Insignia (Metallic Black) on loan and I've hit a overgrown bush and it's left a long but very light scratch down one side. It's only visible when you look close and more so in bright sunlight.

I've tried polish, Autogleme high resin and Maguire’s deep crystal step 2 but didn't get rid of it, slightly better but still visible in sunlight. I then tried Scratch x but that made no difference at all, in fact less than the two polishes.

I'm giving the car back soon and I don't want them to give me a big bill for a re-spray. I don't want to use anything too abrasive as it's such a new car, any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Vette]

Sounds like it may need a wet flat to remove the scratch. As a general rule, if you can get your fingernail into the scratch, it's unlikely it will polish out. Wet flatting can only remove minor scratches as there's a real danger of cutting through the lacquer.

A call to a very experienced valeter or a SMART repairer will hopefully get the job done for you.

Cheers
David
www.cardoc-cornwall.co.uk

[Casa1862]

Vette said:

Sounds like it may need a wet flat to remove the scratch. As a general rule, if you can get your fingernail into the scratch, it's unlikely it will polish out. Wet flatting can only remove minor scratches as there's a real danger of cutting through the lacquer.

A call to a very experienced valeter or a SMART repairer will hopefully get the job done for you.

Cheers
David
www.cardoc-cornwall.co.uk

That's the thing you can't feel it with with a finger nail, it's very light and I'm surprised the polish didn't remove it. Is there any product better than something like Scratch x which really was not good. On a dull day like today you can't even see it.

[kamilb1998]

Casa1862 said:

Vette said:

Sounds like it may need a wet flat to remove the scratch. As a general rule, if you can get your fingernail into the scratch, it's unlikely it will polish out. Wet flatting can only remove minor scratches as there's a real danger of cutting through the lacquer.

A call to a very experienced valeter or a SMART repairer will hopefully get the job done for you.

Cheers
David
www.cardoc-cornwall.co.uk

That's the thing you can't feel it with with a finger nail, it's very light and I'm surprised the polish didn't remove it. Is there any product better than something like Scratch x which really was not good. On a dull day like today you can't even see it.

Autoglym Paint Renovator on a machine polisher?

[Vette]

If you can't feel the scratch, then a good machine polish will probably do the job. Find your nearest valeter or SMART repairer who will be able to safely do the work without burning through the paintwork!

Cheers
David

[Casa1862]

Vette said:

If you can't feel the scratch, then a good machine polish will probably do the job. Find your nearest valeter or SMART repairer who will be able to safely do the work without burning through the paintwork!

Cheers
David

Thanks, but even I know if I take it to a valeter or SMART repairer it will get fixed. The point of coming to the forum was to ask for advice regarding products that may remove it. It's a very light scratch so one of the hundreds of commonly available products should do it, just a matter of finding the right one. This kind of issue shouldn't be beyond the average DIY enthusiast, I appreciate that I may mess it up and it may cost more but that's the risk I take. Thanks for the advice anyway.

I'll try the Autoglym paint restorer fist, it was a toss up between that and scratch x.

[Candellara]

Casa1862 said:

Vette said:

If you can't feel the scratch, then a good machine polish will probably do the job. Find your nearest valeter or SMART repairer who will be able to safely do the work without burning through the paintwork!

Cheers
David

Thanks, but even I know if I take it to a valeter or SMART repairer it will get fixed. The point of coming to the forum was to ask for advice regarding products that may remove it. It's a very light scratch so one of the hundreds of commonly available products should do it, just a matter of finding the right one. This kind of issue shouldn't be beyond the average DIY enthusiast, I appreciate that I may mess it up and it may cost more but that's the risk I take. Thanks for the advice anyway.

I'll try the Autoglym paint restorer fist, it was a toss up between that and scratch x.

Get some rubbing compound from Halfords or similar and apply with a damp micro-fibre, progress to Autoglym paint renovator and then polish / wax.

[Vette]

Casa1862 said:

Vette said:

If you can't feel the scratch, then a good machine polish will probably do the job. Find your nearest valeter or SMART repairer who will be able to safely do the work without burning through the paintwork!

Cheers
David

Thanks, but even I know if I take it to a valeter or SMART repairer it will get fixed. The point of coming to the forum was to ask for advice regarding products that may remove it. It's a very light scratch so one of the hundreds of commonly available products should do it, just a matter of finding the right one. This kind of issue shouldn't be beyond the average DIY enthusiast, I appreciate that I may mess it up and it may cost more but that's the risk I take. Thanks for the advice anyway.

I'll try the Autoglym paint restorer fist, it was a toss up between that and scratch x.

From the tone of your original post, it sounded like it was important to get it right as it's not your car. I would suggest that taking a risk with someone else's property is unwise and as you say, it will cost you more if you mess it up. Sorry if I seemed patronising. I repeat, it probably needs a machine polish and unless you plan to invest in a machine, you may find the routes I have suggested both cheaper & less risky.

Cheers
David