Removing scratches

[sisco22]

Hey guys,
I just bought a new 2012 Nissan Titan about 3 months ago and ended up with some scratches down the side of the truck. Not sure what they are from, but trying to figure out the best way to get the scratches out. The dealer ran it through their car wash and scratched the hood and left fender some. They fixed that for me, but I ended up getting more scratches and marks.

The scratches aren't into the paint. Only into the clear coat. What is the best way to get them out? I bought some Meguiar's Scratch X 2.0 earlier and was going to try that this afternoon after I wash it. Is that stuff any good or should I get something else?

Thanks in advance!

[Evan.J]

Welcome to AGO!

I take it you are going to work by hand? If so you have a lot of work ahead of you but it can be done.

Here is an article about removing scratches but hand that Mike Phillips wrote:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/31475-removing-scratches-hand.html

You may also want to wash and clay your vehicle to remove any above surface contamination.
Here is a link how to perform the baggie test. This test allows you to feel for the contamination on the clear coat.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27967-baggie-test-how-inspect-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html

Once you determine if you have contimation you will want to clay your vehicle.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/27969-3-primary-benefits-using-detailing-clay-clay-paint.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/20259-tips-techniques-using-detailing-clay.html

[sisco22]

Awesome! Thanks Evan! I will look these over.

I've never really had issues with scratches and what not, but I haven't owned a black vehicle in years. So maybe I'm not noticing the scratches like I do on this truck :) Hopefully I'll be able to get them out. Just kind of annoying not being able to go through a car wash as well. Will any of this help harden the clear coat?

Thanks again!
Adam

[Evan.J]

Awesome! Thanks Evan! I will look these over.

I've never really had issues with scratches and what not, but I haven't owned a black vehicle in years. So maybe I'm not noticing the scratches like I do on this truck :) Hopefully I'll be able to get them out. Just kind of annoying not being able to go through a car wash as well. Will any of this help harden the clear coat?

Thanks again!
Adam

No problem Adam! can you take some pictures of the scratches so we can take a look at them.

You will want to do a two bucket wash method to keep from instilling more scratches into the clear coat

Here is a link on how to wash your car
Car Wash Guide, Car Wash how to - easy steps to shampoo and dry your vehicle using paint-safe mitts and towels, plus sponges, the Grit Guard and (http://www.autogeek.net/exterior.html)

This is an old video mike did a long time ago but I have always used it and find its great and full of great information:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqdEVtOPKAM]How to Wash Your Car (ShowCar style!) - YouTube[/video]

The only thing that will aid in protecting you car from scratches would be to put a paint coating like Opti-coat 2.0 on your vehicle

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Great advice Evan

[sisco22]

Thanks Evan! I'll try the wash this afternoon. Also, I'll try to get some pics of the scratches as well. I need to get some anyway. I'll upload them later this evening after I get home.

[Evan.J]

Great advice Evan

Thanks Mike


Thanks Evan! I'll try the wash this afternoon. Also, I'll try to get some pics of the scratches as well. I need to get some anyway. I'll upload them later this evening after I get home.

Ok sounds good post back with your findings and the pictures and we will help you out. :props:

[sisco22]

I tried to take a couple of pics of the scratches this morning. I should have last night after I washed it. Went through some water that was standing on the road this morning and got it dirty again :(

[hernandez.art13]

I tried to take a couple of pics of the scratches this morning. I should have last night after I washed it. Went through some water that was standing on the road this morning and got it dirty again :(

They look repairable, I'll tune in to see what everyone else has to say.

[Evan.J]

I tried to take a couple of pics of the scratches this morning. I should have last night after I washed it. Went through some water that was standing on the road this morning and got it dirty again :(

Those look fixable to me. Now on the fun stuff. When you look at your car in the sun do you see swirls? If so, how bad to the look? Did you get a chance to feel your paint with you hands or doing the baggie test? Was the paint rough or smooth?

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/38689-what-condition-paint-your-vehicles.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/43192-let-there-light.html

Here is my thinking on the plan of attack. Since your going to be working by hand you will want to do this on a nice weekend. You can split up you work over a few days if you like. Now, after you was your car you going to want to clay it more than likely. You can pick up a clay kit locally or get clay and lube from AG that up to you.

You will want to get some applicator pads id say 4 or 5 to be safe. Along with that you can get an assortment of things but if you going locally the Meguiars Ultimate compound (UC) and Ultimate polish (UP) and finally Ultimate wax (UW). If your not going locally then we can figure out other things for you.

Next after claying your car you will want to do a test spot. This is going to be important and heres why:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

If you find that after doing your test spot that Ultimate polish works then you will do ultimate polish followed by ultimate wax. If you find that the UP does work and have to go to the Ultimate compound thats fine. The it would be UC followed by UP then UW

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36178-priming-your-pad-when-working-hand.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/26612-how-use-hand-applied-abrasive-polish-paint-cleaner-hand.html

There is two more article on hand applications. with hand application its all about technique and as Mike would say, "Passion behind the pad"

[hernandez.art13]

Those look fixable to me. Now on the fun stuff. When you look at your car in the sun do you see swirls? If so, how bad to the look? Did you get a chance to feel your paint with you hands or doing the baggie test? Was the paint rough or smooth?

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/38689-what-condition-paint-your-vehicles.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/43192-let-there-light.html

Here is my thinking on the plan of attack. Since your going to be working by hand you will want to do this on a nice weekend. You can split up you work over a few days if you like. Now, after you was your car you going to want to clay it more than likely. You can pick up a clay kit locally or get clay and lube from AG that up to you.

You will want to get some applicator pads id say 4 or 5 to be safe. Along with that you can get an assortment of things but if you going locally the Meguiars Ultimate compound (UC) and Ultimate polish (UP) and finally Ultimate wax (UW). If your not going locally then we can figure out other things for you.

Next after claying your car you will want to do a test spot. This is going to be important and heres why:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

If you find that after doing your test spot that Ultimate polish works then you will do ultimate polish followed by ultimate wax. If you find that the UP does work and have to go to the Ultimate compound thats fine. The it would be UC followed by UP then UW

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36178-priming-your-pad-when-working-hand.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/26612-how-use-hand-applied-abrasive-polish-paint-cleaner-hand.html

There is two more article on hand applications. with hand application its all about technique and as Mike would say, "Passion behind the pad"

May i ask why not 3M rubbing compound? Just trying to learn more.

[Evan.J]

May i ask why not 3M rubbing compound? Just trying to learn more.

Art time expand your horizon a little bit. :xyxthumbs:
Nothing wrong with 3M but for scratches and swirl removal UC or UP is going to work down great and fast. It will be easier to work with

[sisco22]

Thanks Evan! Awesome write up! I'll give it a shot. Sorry I haven't got back on here. Work and stuff has been hectic! I'll probably try it this weekend when I have a little bit of free time. Hopefully I can get the scratches removed.

Thanks again!

[Evan.J]

Thanks Evan! Awesome write up! I'll give it a shot. Sorry I haven't got back on here. Work and stuff has been hectic! I'll probably try it this weekend when I have a little bit of free time. Hopefully I can get the scratches removed.

Thanks again!

Not a problem! Looking forward to the outcome and pictures. Good luck and do not hesitate to ask question if you run into any issues. Happy detailing :dblthumb2: