Stubborn Scratch resisting menzerna 400

[SupercarSean]

Afternoon AG. Looking for a recommendation here. I am detailing my new (to me) nardo grey audi. I've got a handful of very light scratches that don't appear to be through the clear coat. This area (and others like it) are getting Menzerna 400 with a yellow LC pad on a 5.5" pad. This is as refined as I can get it. I'm tempted to leave it as "good enough" as this is a daily driver, but wanted to get some insight from the community. I don't want to continue to hammer at the clear unnecessarily.

FWIW the scratch doesn't actually look this bad in person. My camera phone was able to focus on this alarmingly well.




Nardo grey spoiler scratch - Album on Imgur

[Rsurfer]

Afternoon AG. Looking for a recommendation here. I am detailing my new (to me) nardo grey audi. I've got a handful of very light scratches that don't appear to be through the clear coat. This area (and others like it) are getting Menzerna 400 with a yellow LC pad on a 5.5" pad. This is as refined as I can get it. I'm tempted to leave it as "good enough" as this is a daily driver, but wanted to get some insight from the community. I don't want to continue to hammer at the clear unnecessarily.

Nardo grey spoiler scratch - Album on Imgur

You need a paint gauge to see how far you can cut. If you have enough paint instead of chasing the scratches with a compound I would lightly sand with 3k and then polish. This method will save you a lot of time.

If your OCD then go for it, otherwise get on with your life.

[SupercarSean]

I am indeed very OCD, but not to a fault. I recognize that I am the only person that will ever see this and only under my bright shop lights. Wish I had a paint depth Guage.... *shifty eyes*

[Rsurfer]

I am indeed very OCD, but not to a fault. I recognize that I am the only person that will ever see this and only under my bright shop lights. Wish I had a paint depth Guage.... *shifty eyes*

Your spoiler like your bumpers have very soft and thin paint.

[SupercarSean]

I appreciate that insight, wasn't aware of that. I think I will leave well enough alone.

[rst08]

OCD checking in. Just stop before you go through the factory clear.

[spazzz]

My platinum grey metallic 535 BMW was 9 years old when I bought it.
When the previous owner finished up our paperwork, he plopped his hard shell briefcase on the trunk lid.
This is a hint at what is on my car.
More scratches above the drivers door on the top, from when they would set their whatever down until they opened the door.
I used Menzerna 400 for the 1st stage and was content with the not exactly perfect finish.
Never the less, it still looks great.

No one will notice the small stuff.
You could always try some Dr Colorchip to make it blend better.

[SupercarSean]

My platinum grey metallic 535 BMW was 9 years old when I bought it.
When the previous owner finished up our paperwork, he plopped his hard shell briefcase on the trunk lid.
This is a hint at what is on my car.
More scratches above the drivers door on the top, from when they would set their whatever down until they opened the door.
I used Menzerna 400 for the 1st stage and was content with the not exactly perfect finish.
Never the less, it still looks great.

No one will notice the small stuff.
You could always try some Dr Colorchip to make it blend better.

Yeah this car was an audi executive lease. Low miles, but I think the owner was well aware it was getting turned in. I aftually think the majority of the scratches are from car was tunnels.

I am planning to do some touch up paint (there are a few rock chips) but in cases like these hairline scratches I fear any touch up might actually draw more attention than anything. I may try some 3k grit and see what happens in one of the more inconspicuous areas.

I'm very content with the finish the menzerna 400 leaves, but I'm struggling to consider it a heavy cut compound. Even with a yellow pad and some high rpm's, it takes a few passes for even the lightest scratches. I suppose it's a tradeoff for the swirl free finish.

[spazzz]

Dr Colorchip doesn't work the same way as a traditional touchup paint.
If anything it would change the hue of the scratch edges to blend better.
It doesn't fill. You could try their squeegee kit.

I have used it in a few spots.
It worked pretty darn good on an eggshell explosion area from the PO.
Either way it is nice to have around.

Oh yeah I hear you on the bad wash habits. Those came out relatively easy.
I just tried to reduce the deeper RIDs with a TufBuf wool and M100, then LC orange and Menzerna 400 on those tougher spots with a Flex3401