first post - question on clear coat scratches

[peteinpa]

Hello folks, my name is Pete, I live in southern pa. I have been browsing this forum for a while, this is my first post. by no means am I a proficient detailer, i am just a nut about maintaining both the appearance and maintenance of my cars.

I recently purchased a PC 7424xp. I am hoping to use it to help remove scratches in my clear coat. I have a black 2008 Lexus GS.

the paint is clean, I have no swirl marks and for the most part I can achieve a good shine, I just cannot seem to get at the scratches in the clear coat that rear their ugly head in sunlight. these are not deep scratches that you can feel.

Any advice on products and pad combo's would be greatly appreciated.

[D.R.]

Welcome!

Check out this post and Mike's response. It contains some details and links to a video segment on removing RIDS -- random, isolated, deeper scratches. (and btw, "RIDS" is a good word to search for to find related posts.) One thing to note is that the video is on a Corvette, which has hard clear coat, so yours may come out with a less agressive approach.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/52706-newbie-da-polisher-advice-needed.html

Do you have any compounding products or pads already? If so, post what you have and see if others think you can use any of them in your cause... no sense buying stuff if you already have something that will work.

I'm also new to using a DA and I'm still working on my technique, so it's not an immediate thing. I'm taking a slow approach. I can always go after scratches again, but I can't put the clear coat back once it's gone (at least not inexpensively).

[Vegas Transplant]

I recently purchased a PC 7424xp. I am hoping to use it to help remove scratches in my clear coat. I have a black 2008 Lexus GS.

Any advice on products and pad combo's would be greatly appreciated.

Consider MF pads and a long working time, no/low dust product.

[swanicyouth]

Or, consider foam pads with Optimum or Wolfgang polishes. Foam pads in general will remove less clear coat and finish down better. I like LC CCS 5.5" Smart Pads. A yellow Smart Pad can remove most heavy defects with Optimum Compound or Wolfgang TSR.

[Vegas Transplant]

MF's are quicker...haven't yet decided on the "remove more cc" issue.

The way my brain works is if its removing swirls and scratches using OCC product, then I stop when the offending marks disappear...one quality that I like about Optimum polishes is their clarity during application.

So what I'm trying to get accross is either way, you're removing clear to level anyway.
I remember Mike stating MF/clear removal issue...I would like a link to other's opinions and facts also. Feed back please

[DaveT435]

Hello folks, my name is Pete, I live in southern pa. I have been browsing this forum for a while, this is my first post. by no means am I a proficient detailer, i am just a nut about maintaining both the appearance and maintenance of my cars.

I recently purchased a PC 7424xp. I am hoping to use it to help remove scratches in my clear coat. I have a black 2008 Lexus GS.

the paint is clean, I have no swirl marks and for the most part I can achieve a good shine, I just cannot seem to get at the scratches in the clear coat that rear their ugly head in sunlight. these are not deep scratches that you can feel.

Any advice on products and pad combo's would be greatly appreciated.

Now you say scratches that you can't feel and you only see in the sun. Are you talking about fine scratches that look almost like spider webs on the car?? If this is the case there are several fairly mild polishes that should be able to remove them...

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

Lexus's clears are generally quite hard.

A little insight into your proficiency in detailing would help a lot. Since you recently purchased your dual action polisher let's make sure you're using it correctly.

What pad and product combinations have you been using?
What size pads are you using?
What speed are you using for correction?


Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

Here's more great information by Mike Phillips that will help you learn the correct way moving forward...
[LIST]
Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
[URL="http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html"]DA Trouble Shooting Gu

[peteinpa]

thanks to allof you for the quick responses. I will definitely check the links you have provided.

first let me say I am a newbie with using the da. to best describe me, I would say I am one of the over the hill gang, I have waxed and polished using and old sears orbital buffer and by hand.

i bought the da from AG as starter kit. it came with 3 pads, orange, white and black. it also came with pinnacle XMT #2. I have 3m da polish for dark cars as well as some Meg's show car glaze in my container.

I would describe the scratches as spyder web.

i have the same concern as D.R. stated. I do not mind putting in the time and effort but I am concerned about being too aggressive and damaging the cc.

[BobbyG]

thanks to allof you for the quick responses. I will definitely check the links you have provided.

first let me say I am a newbie with using the da. to best describe me, I would say I am one of the over the hill gang, I have waxed and polished using and old sears orbital buffer and by hand.

I'll be 60 this fall so age is just a number, unfortunately occasionally it's an old number....:D

Let's call ourselves "Wise"...... :props:


I bought the da from AG as starter kit. it came with 3 pads, orange, white and black. it also came with pinnacle XMT #2. I have 3m da polish for dark cars as well as some Meg's show car glaze in my container.

I would describe the scratches as spyder web.

i have the same concern as D.R. stated. I do not mind putting in the time and effort but I am concerned about being too aggressive and damaging the cc.

Meguiar's #7 Show Car Glaze is a great product but lets concentrate on removing the finish defects rather than temporarily hiding them with a glaze.

Pinnacle XMT 2 is a fine swirl remover and it right at home on a white foam pad.

Here's more great information by Mike Phillips that will help you learn the correct way moving forward...

Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)
How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)
DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)

[DaveT435]

What do you have for an LSP?

[peteinpa]

thanks bobby, wise it is.

sorry Dave , newbie here, what is lsp?

[BobbyG]

LSP is an acronym for Last Step Lroduct

[peteinpa]

ok, got it. I use one of 3. sealant black fire wet diamond. I do not always wax after the sealant. cg butter wax or cg 50/50 . when using the 50/50 I apply and remove by hand.

[DaveT435]

Someone made this. It's pretty helpful for the abbreviations.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/5706-product-abbreviation-chart-acronyms.html

I'll bet a coat of 50/50 over the BFWD would look great.

[peteinpa]

the black fire-50/50 combo does look really good.

thanks for the tips guys and special thanks to bobby for the links. I think I have a better handle on next steps. wish me luck.