Scratches around door handles

[SATracker]

2001, Red Honda Civic. I've gotten the door pretty well taken care of but I am having an impossible time removing paint imperfections around the door handles. I use a PC 7424 XP, but the 5.5 pads are way too big. I have a PC w/4"pads but it doesn't get in the tight spots. I'm using Meguiar's 105, can I do the tight spaces by hand? (Please no) I've thought about wetsanding (gotta learn how first), but even then do I follow up w/Megs 205 by hand, Menzerna by hand, etc?

[JonMiles]

you can definitely rub out scratches by hand in tight areas. I have to use 105 by hand to get scratches out under the door handle all the time, they normally come out very nicely. Some places are just impossible to get to with a machine.

You can normally finish out the 105 by hand just about perfectly, it normally isn't necessary to follow with anything.

[Truitt]

Here are before and after photos of a door handle hand polished with 105 then followed with Menzerna Super Intensive and Menzerna Super Finish Nano (black is a tough color).


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/SL500B4-LS-door_handle.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/SL500D-RD01.JPG

[DARK HORSE]

I use an old pad cut up into smaller pieces and polish with it and 105, and follow with 205.

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad169/tadndonna/Ford%20Before/img_0879.jpg

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad169/tadndonna/Ford%20After/img_1009.jpg

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad169/tadndonna/Ford%20After/img_0986.jpg

[JonMiles]

Good call Dark Horse, I just cut up an old orange pad to use tomorrow, thanks for the idea. You just made life easier.

[Racin10s]

Wolfgang also makes finger pockets... Which work very well for that recessed area under the door handle, if you don't have pads to cut up of course... :D

Wolfgang Finger Pockets <i>are soft, dense foam pockets that fit over your fingers for easy and efficient cleaning. (http://www.autogeek.net/wgpockets.html)

[SATracker]

Thanks guys, amazing pictures. Okay, by hand, orange pads, meguiar's 105...and patience.

[Rsurfer]

Thanks guys, amazing pictures. Okay, by hand, orange pads, meguiar's 105...and patience.
Least aggressive first...I would use Ultimate Compound by hand, more working time and finishes down perfect.

[Dubbin1]

Least aggressive first...I would use Ultimate Compound by hand, more working time and finishes down perfect.

UC and M105 are pretty much the same thing ;)

[Rsurfer]

UC and M105 are pretty much the same thing ;)
Not true, UC will finish down better than 105 and has a longer work time.

[DARK HORSE]

Least aggressive first...I would use Ultimate Compound by hand, more working time and finishes down perfect.

Thank you for the suggestion Ron, I will try UC next time!

[Dubbin1]

Not true, UC will finish down better than 105 and has a longer work time.
Yes it has a tad bit longer working time (not much to make a difference) and I have finished 105 down just as well as UC. I find that UC doesn't dust near as much though.

[oldmodman]

I went a little crazy once.

I pulled the door apart, removed the handle, then corrected the paint and polished the door handle (chrome) by hand. There must have been 50 layers of old wax built up under the handle edge lip.