Scratches
Author
Discussion

parrot of doom

Original Poster:

23,075 posts

263 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
Just had the fella who installed my kitchen a few years back to re-finish and re-oil the wooden worktops.

Anyhow, I was showing him my Chim and the sun came out, which brought out all the lovely surface scratches in full detail. He says that any professional valeter with a mechanical polisher should be able to polish those scratches (they're all over the body) right out. None of them are deep, you can't feel any of them, but is he right?

And if so, whats the best way of getting rid?

K67 KRB

221 posts

280 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
Cheapest = T-Cut

Expensive = Re-spray

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

276 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
If they are circular surface scratches you should be able to get them out with P21 Polish.
Try Mike at:
www.thepolishingcompany.com/foryourcar.html
Buy the Polish and wax kit at £42.50 - great value and it does the biz and it is much easier on the elbows than other polishes around.
Don't use T cut unless you really really have to. Speak to Mike if the P21 isn't enough he may be able to suggest something better.
FFG

Wildfire

9,947 posts

281 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
T Cut has amonia in it IIRC which is not good. Try 3M Hand Glaze or Machine Glaze. Or Faraclea G3 with some water and a mechanical polisher. For deeper ones flat gently with P2000 Wet and Dry then Polish out with Faraclea.

If you are using a Machine Polisher, be careful around the edges as it's easy to burn through the lacquer and paint. Buff off with a lambs wool mit or pad. When finished Wash with a non detergent wash, dry thouroughly, apply a polish (e.g Autoglym Super Resin Polish not a wax) then apply a good carnuba based or Pure Carnuba Wax. Wipe off wax then polish car with a Micro Fibre cloth.

Don't forget to AutoSol all the chrome/alloy and wax the wheels.

I'm not a professional, just anal.

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

276 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
Wildfire - I think this is OTT as it sounds like they are just surface scratches from poor washing products/dirt on sponge/using a brush.
PS - The P21 kit does include Carnauba wax. It is good stuff.
FFG

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

277 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
[Oliver Hardy voice on] It most certainly is. [Oliver Hardy voice off]

powerlord

771 posts

270 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all


t-cut is pish.

I use scratch-X (maguires). Along with the rest of the maguires range.

they have a cleaner too but I find it not quite strong enough to get swirls out.

I wish I'd taken some pictures as I had exactly the same problem last week. Car had been washed by dealers several time (arg) and was covered in swirls again after me taking them all out last year.

scratch-X and an electric random orbital polisher. then some hand applying of scratch-X on deep scratches.

Should take about 1-2 hours. Result should be like a mirror.

Then apply polish. Then apply wax.

result should look pretty shiny:

http://tvr.kilncadzow.co.uk/

stu

Wildfire

9,947 posts

281 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
FlipFlopGriff said:
Wildfire - I think this is OTT as it sounds like they are just surface scratches from poor washing products/dirt on sponge/using a brush.
PS - The P21 kit does include Carnauba wax. It is good stuff.
FFG




I wasn't sure how deep the scratches were. I was just going through the various options depending upon the severity of the scratches.

My bad for not explaing myself.


>> Edited by Wildfire on Friday 8th April 14:44

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

276 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
POD,
Conspicuous by your absence.
Maybe a close up picture may help.
FFG

parrot of doom

Original Poster:

23,075 posts

263 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
Sun has gone in now, next time its out I'll take a snap.

I'd really rather a professional do it tbh, provided it doesn't cost a fortune?

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

276 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
POD,
Looking at the pic on your profile these are just surface scratches in the laquer. Try the P21. It is very easy to use with little elbow grease required and I've seen it remove some pretty horrific scratches, in partiucular on the darker cars which tends to show them more. Make sure you get a terry towel or something very soft. Just speak to Mike - he's very helpful. If you know someone at your meet who may have some you could try a small section to see how you get on.
I swear by it. It even removes some deep scratches with a little effort.
My guess is you'll need about 2 hours tops for polish and wax.
FFG

wedg1e

27,034 posts

294 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
Wildfire said:

FlipFlopGriff said:
Wildfire - I think this is OTT as it sounds like they are just surface scratches from poor washing products/dirt on sponge/using a brush.
PS - The P21 kit does include Carnauba wax. It is good stuff.
FFG





I wasn't sure how deep the scratches were. I was just going through the various options depending upon the severity of the scratches.

My bad for not explaing myself.


>> Edited by Wildfire on Friday 8th April 14:44


MY BAD!!??!

I think you've been hanging around with Americans far too long.

Wildfire

9,947 posts

281 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
No it's since I left the NE!! The South has corrupted me!!

RobW

14 posts

313 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
Without sounding anal too its Farecla - I should know as i am their R&D Chemist - But spot on with your remedy. Don't use T-Cut on modern paints as the ammonia will dull the surface.


Wildfire said:
T Cut has amonia in it IIRC which is not good. Try 3M Hand Glaze or Machine Glaze. Or Faraclea G3 with some water and a mechanical polisher. For deeper ones flat gently with P2000 Wet and Dry then Polish out with Faraclea.

If you are using a Machine Polisher, be careful around the edges as it's easy to burn through the lacquer and paint. Buff off with a lambs wool mit or pad. When finished Wash with a non detergent wash, dry thouroughly, apply a polish (e.g Autoglym Super Resin Polish not a wax) then apply a good carnuba based or Pure Carnuba Wax. Wipe off wax then polish car with a Micro Fibre cloth.

Don't forget to AutoSol all the chrome/alloy and wax the wheels.

I'm not a professional, just anal.

petros

2,441 posts

258 months

Friday 8th April 2005
quotequote all
Try Zymol Carbon Wax, should do the job and leave your beast looking fantastic.

powerlord

771 posts

270 months

Tuesday 12th April 2005
quotequote all
good advice topshot.

I was hoping after doing my cutting last year I wouldn't ever need to do it again..

Then came back from dealer who had 'even washed the car for you sir'....arg!!!!! as the shitey old shammy leather clasping teenager walked on to do the other 20 cars that morning....bugger bugger bugger.

Now I place A4 signed in windows whenever I leave it al dealers saying 'DO NOT WASH'.

So, wasn't too keen on having to apply scratch-X over whole car for a second time. Now plan to never have to do it again. careful washing with sheepskin mits, and regular polish and waxing should ensure no more scratches accumulate.

stu