Newbie question re; white cars and fine swirls/scratches

[Socalsteve]

Hi all,

Thank you all in advance and please don't laugh too hard...

I have a 2012 white Porsche 911 that I bought used. It has fine ( I guess what you'd call spider webbing) scratching on the surface.

My question is: on a white car, how important is it to get rid of those fine scratches? I mean, unless you look really closely, you cannot even see them.

By polishing them out, will it give that much better, deeper shine? Or, on a white car, is it not worth it?

Hope these questions make some sense and when you get done laughing at me, I'd appreciate an answer.

Again, thank you!

Steve

[VP Mark]

Steve

That's actually a really good question. The answer really depends on you. If they bother you, by all means have them corrected. If you Dont want to go through all the hassle, clay the car, lightly polish it, then apply a protective product. Just a light polish will still make a car look much better even if there is still visible defects.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online

[jamesboyy]

Like VP mark said it depends on you yeah removing the defects will increase shine, and such but it all depends on your OCD(no violation) and your love for the car but in the mean time there are waxes,soap, etc that can hide small imperfections temporarily

[dad07]

Great question Steve and Welcome to AGO.

VP Mark hit the nail on the head.....it's really up to you.

You will find that most of us here are a little ocd and probably go crazy untill is was perfect.

A 911 is a sweet ride and it's time to make it stand out in a crowd. That's why your here Right?

Strap in and enjoy tge ride.....and welcome to your new addiction.

[Mike Phillips]

Here's the deal though...

While fine scratches are hard to see on light colors, you can still make the paint dramatically more glossy by claying and then machine polishing the paint.

Here's a Fiat that was brand new with fine scratches and look how glassy and shiny the paint came out AFTER doing just a few basics.



Video and Pictures: 2012 Fiat 500 - Chemical Guys Show Car Makeover

Here's the Live Video Broadcast recording from last night's Fiat 500 Clinic

Before we moved the Fiat into the studio I took a few shots of the paint outside in bright sunlight. Louie and his wife have only owned the car for 5 months so the paint is in really good shape. That said, I did my best to photograph metallic, white pearl in full sun and I'll have to say, this is one of the hardest colors to photograph in full sun as it blinds you to look at with your eyes or through the lenz of a camera.

[Mike Phillips]

Check out the incredible gloss after just a few products on a brand new Jeep Cherokee....

Cleaned & Coated in 3 Hours - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[2shiny]

it can and will increase the shine, BUT, I wouldn't ever compound my own car in that colour.
I'd use a medium or fine polish, 1 hit then go for a sealant or coating.

[Jaretr1]

Whether or not you chose to "correct" the paint, there is most likely a coating of road gunk on top of the paint. At the least, you would want to clay the car and use either a cleaner wax (or sealant). This is a product that will not only protect the paint, but remove the road film and dirt thats built up on the surface. Or use a paint cleaner followed by a protection level. White or light colored cars show this more than any other color and it wont be apparent until you remove it.

[1kwikf]

this is my WRX after a 1 step polish (hd speed) and Black Label Sealant

paint clarity



and outside

[Socalsteve]

it can and will increase the shine, BUT, I wouldn't ever compound my own car in that colour.
I'd use a medium or fine polish, 1 hit then go for a sealant or coating.

Please tell me the difference between compounding and polishing??? Aren't they the same, just compounding is using more abrasive liquid and pads?

Thanks!