Scratches in the Paint

Jan 19, 2002 | 04:13 PM

STKLAW

Thread Starter

Super Member

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 618

Likes: 0

From: Kansas City

2010 E550

Scratches in the Paint

How can you get out light scratches in the paint of a black car? They appear to be through the clear coat and into but not through the paint itself.

Jan 19, 2002 | 06:24 PM

MercManiac

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 306

Likes: 0

From: Atlanta

2004 S 600

Use porter cable buffer with polish pad. First wash, then clay...clean off clay residue. First try Meguairs # 9 swirl remover...if it doesn't work then go a little more aggresive to 3m light compounding (don't worry use the Porter it won't hurt paint) then #9 again and then polish with Blacfire or Klasse AIO and then protect with Blackfire or Sealant Glaze from klasse.

Jan 19, 2002 | 06:35 PM

STKLAW

Thread Starter

Super Member

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 618

Likes: 0

From: Kansas City

2010 E550

Thanks. I understood all of it but the clay. I've heard it mentioned on this site but have no idea what it is or how to use it or where to get it. I have a Porter Cable orbital buffer and love it. It took our all the normal swirls using Blackfire polish. I assume you mead to use the pad that came with the Porter--just a foam pad?

Jan 20, 2002 | 11:28 AM

DrNick

Almost a Member!

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 63

Likes: 0

From: Boston area

2000 E320 4Matic

Quote:

Originally posted by STKLAW
Thanks. I understood all of it but the clay. I've heard it mentioned on this site but have no idea what it is or how to use it or where to get it...

Where to get it - Meguiars sells claybar plus a spray bottle of Quik Detailer for $10. What is it - feels like hard clay, is the size of a bar of soap. Removes imbedded contaminants in the surface of paint. For details see ZainoBros.com. How to use it - after trying to explain it to my brother I summed it up by saying "it's like washing your butt with a bar of soap." He said it worked but the neighbors complained when he took off his clothes to clay bar the car.
Best regards,
Nick

Jan 20, 2002 | 12:32 PM

MercManiac

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 306

Likes: 0

From: Atlanta

2004 S 600

yes use the foam pad with the polishes....you spray the clay and the car with a quick detailer spray then rub back and forth lightly....this gets the embedded stuff off before you start polishing....or else you'll gring the contaminents into the paint when you polish.

Jan 20, 2002 | 12:51 PM

MercManiac

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 306

Likes: 0

From: Atlanta

2004 S 600

yes use the foam pad with the polishes....you spray the clay and the car with a quick detailer spray then rub back and forth lightly (wash the car first!)....this gets the embedded stuff off before you start polishing....or else you'll grind the contaminents into the paint when you polish.

Jan 30, 2002 | 10:31 PM

Buellwinkle

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 6,211

Likes: 2

From: Laguna Niguel, CA

What works great for me on swirls is first wash the car with dish washing soap to get the old wax off. Then I use Malco's Liquid Micro using a 6" cutting foam pad and then Malco's Final Finish with a softer foam pad and then I wash the car again to get all the polish residue off. Then I use Klasse All In One by hand to clean off any last residue and put a layer of wax on and the Klasse Glaze to get the last bit of shine possible. Malco carries the foam pads and polish. Their website is www.malcopro.com. Get 8 oz bottles for about $5. What I like about their polishes is the think consistency like pudding so It doesn't spray off the buffer like some products. To use the foam pad you'll need a 7" sander/grinder like Makita that has a 5/8" arbor. It's real easy, do a small area at a time using a nickel size blob of polish going back and forth until it's mostly gone. Keep the foam pad flat against the paint and don't use the edge. Set the speed on the sander to 1,500 RPM and not more. The 6" foam pad is very safe as the edges can't get going too fast and heat up like larger buffers and it fit's into contours better. Practice on your neighbor's car early in the morning before he wakes up.