Scratches and clear coat

[dsgreen3]

What's your go to products and techniques for removing, covering up scratches in clear coat car paint finnishes?

 

[djrumz]

I would go with a light compound, Meguiars ultimate compound is what I use.

 

[Matt M PA]

If you can catch your fingernail in it...it's likely too deep to fix.

I'd avoid using compounds on clear coats unless needed. I've never used the Ultimate Compound so I can't comment on how aggressive it might be.

Meguiars makes a nice scratch remover called (I think) Scratch X. Use the most gentle product possible to avoid cutting the clear too far.

 

[MagicMarker]

If my finger nail doesn't catch it... I use various Meg's products with an orbital Porter Cable.

If my finger nail does catch it, I'll go a tad more aggressive, but just learn to live with it.

 

[Speed4Life]

There aren't many products you can apply by hand that will completely get scratches out unless the scratches are just ultra fine. Best way to do it is with a buffer the right cutting pad, and the proper grade of polish or compound. As mentioned earlier, if you can catch your fingernail on the scratch is probably too deep to get out without in depth clear coat repair.

 

[rconnon]

I use Menzerna with Lake country pads for lighter scratches, and wool pads if i'm correcting. If you are unsure about age of paint and if its been corrected I suggest buying a paint thickness meter or getting a local body shop to measure for you - I've tried MANY different polishes, sealants, waxes, etc. I found Menzerna to be the easiest to apply, best results, lowest dust and easiest to take off...

Results speak for them selves.

 

[HMCFab9]

Meguiars stuff works ok.
Presta makes a great line of buffing / polishing products, but they work best using a powered buffer.

 

[gipraw]

What's your go to products and techniques for removing, covering up scratches in clear coat car paint finnishes?

come ask in this thread.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298224


Unless you want a generic response, I'd need more info.

Are we talking about a small section or the entire vehicle?
How close to perfect do you want to get?
How deep are the scratches?
By hand or by machine?
What is your budget?
Is this a one time fix, or do you want to learn how to maintain your vehicle's paint?

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I usually break out the Flex buffer and some foam pads and use Meg's M105 and M205. I have a very hard clear coat and it works decent for it.

 

[gipraw]

I usually break out the Flex buffer and some foam pads and use Meg's M105 and M205. I have a very hard clear coat and it works decent for it.

Dump the 105 and use 101. it is a much better product. Better results and much easier to use.

 

[astroracer]

My suggestion? If you don't already have the tools or materials to do this correctly is.... Take the car to a detail shop and have them look at it. You will spend just as much money on polishes and "equipment" to try and fix this that a good detail shop should charge for a nice polish and wax job...
Mark

 

[Speed4Life]

Astro is right on with that point.