Support NeoGAF

[cormack12]

Been watching this video. They aren't proper deep or anything but it's long-ish - looks really straightforward but so do these kids playing fortnite on youtube and I get rinsed. Anyone with experience and tips/lessons learned?

 

[K' Dash]

I tried and failed miserably.

Take it to a shop or live with it.

 

[eddie4]

 

[Mohonky]

If its in the clear coat then yeh fairly straight forward. In the paint might be worth just leaving.

 

[haxan7]

obligatory Father Ted clip

 

[lem0n]

Is it just a surface scratch, or is it down past the clear/paint to the primer? Whether or not the scratch is fixable really depends on how deep it is. Run your nail over the scratch and see if you can feel it. If you can't, chances are you can fix it pretty easily. If you can feel it, you may need to take it to a body shop.

If it's light enough where you think you can fix it, check out Chemical Guys on youtube, they have tons of tutorials on fixing paint defects. You will likely need a machine buffer, the correct chemicals, and plenty of patience to get it done right but it'll be a new skill learned.

 

[rorepmE]

How deep? Clear coat? Down to the metal? Are you trying to polish the entire car?

 

[PrimetimeKnight]

I used this stuff the other day on my car, granted the scratch was minor but it took it out with just a little elbow grease. I used a microfiber pad and just kept rubbing it in and wiping it clean a few times til the scratch was gone. Good luck!

 

[Liljagare]

No, it is not easy, if you don't know what you are doing, don't even try. :\

Down to the paint, then you need the original colour code paint, plus clear coat, and 3000 or 2000 grade sand paper, for a minor scratch.

Down to the metal? That is alot of work. No matter the size of the damage. On a large nice panel, it's almost impossible to fix a scratch that deep, without you seeing it when you run your eyes over it. The entire panel really needs to be repainted.

The thing is, even if you fix it halfway decently, when you run your eyes over that panel, you will noticed where you "fixed" it, if it is anything but perfecly done. So, all those, minor scratches and dings, either you leave them, or you bite the bullet do get it done properly. Anything inbetween will not yeild a good result.

I've painted plenty of glosscoats, so just take my word for it. Some products will temporarly hide the damage, but the first wash, it all comes off, and probarly more in the grove, you damage the edges of the original damage, so each time, it will grow.

 

[T8SC]

Not if its through to the metal, obviously.

If its just the top layer clear coat, then some high cut compound with a heavy or medium cut pad & a DA will do the trick, then use a less aggressive compound/pad combo and then a buff it up nicely with a finishing pad & a glaze. Top it up with a good wax & sealant combo.

Jobs a good'un.

 

[Liljagare]

I used a microfiber pad and just kept rubbing

Microfibers cause scratches themself on a good paint surface, I would never use them on a clear coated surface, everytime you do, it's like using 1500 grit sandpaper, eventually, you will go through the clear coat.

Don't use it on a new car.

 

[T8SC]

Microfibers cause scratches themself on a good paint surface, I would never use them on a clear coated surface, everytime you do, it's like using 1500 grit sandpaper, eventually, you will go through the clear coat.

Don't use it on a new car.

 

[GHG]

Microfibers cause scratches themself on a good paint surface, I would never use them on a clear coated surface, everytime you do, it's like using 1500 grit sandpaper, eventually, you will go through the clear coat.

Don't use it on a new car.

This is a complete myth.

The microfiber cloth itself will not cause any damage to the paint. The only way you will damage car paint while using a microfiber cloth is if the surface of the paint is not clear of dirt and debris. The act of rubbing the cloth on a dirty car will cause minor scratches because you're just moving the dirt around on the surface with force. Dirt or sand on the surface of the car + the cloth = the sandpaper you describe.

Basically clean your damn car before taking a microfiber cloth to it.

Also OP, this is good:

I used this stuff the other day on my car, granted the scratch was minor but it took it out with just a little elbow grease. I used a microfiber pad and just kept rubbing it in and wiping it clean a few times til the scratch was gone. Good luck!

As is this:

The above is good when the scratch isn't deep and the car rubbing against something has caused surface transfer on top of the car's paint. That stuff plus some tlc will help get it off.

But all of this depends on how deep the scratch is and what it was caused by. We need more details.

 

[cormack12]

Thanks all, the scratch is in the clearcoat (like 99% sure). It's like the car has brushed against a pointed but soft branch. It's very thin, fingernail does catch slightly when running it down the car panel but only just. It;s not as deep as the one the guy shows in the video above.

I used this stuff the other day on my car, granted the scratch was minor but it took it out with just a little elbow grease. I used a microfiber pad and just kept rubbing it in and wiping it clean a few times til the scratch was gone. Good luck!

I do have some of this - maybe try this first before sanding?

 

[V1LÆM]

If it’s not deep then a bit of sanding/polish will clear it up. If it’s deep then take it to a professional or just live with it.