Can I use Scratch X 2.0 instead of Ultimate Compound to fix oxidation?

[SixZee]

Hello folks,

I posted a thread a couple of months ago where I expressed my idea of fixing swirls by hand. Most mentioned that it is very difficult. I managed to get some HD Speed to try out and got a taste of my idea that I do not intend to continue on the 'project'. I just would like to make sure that it doesn't get any worse than it already is. I plan to apply Klasse Twins after thorough wash and clay.

That said,
I would still like to fix the bumper. In the previous thread, I didn't get any comment if its oxidation or a clear coat failure.


If its oxidation, instead of using Ultimate compound, can I use Scratch X 2.0 here? I have used Scratch X 2.0 successfully so I know how much elbow grease it needs and Mike also mentioned that one should go for least possible abrasive material to work on.
HD Speed would have been great but it didn't occur to me that I should try it on a smaller portion of the bumper too.

I don't mind buying another product, just trying to use up whatever I already have, if possible.


If it is oxidation and Scratch X 2.0 works, what should be the next step? Ultimate polish and then Klasse Twins or Klasse twins straight?

Thanks in advance.

[acuRAS82]

My personal opinion is that’s clear coat failure. Did any of the rest of the car look like that (hood, roof especially)? Being it’s a horizontal that is always exposed to the sun, it seems more likely that it’s failure. If it was oxidation I would guess the rest of the car would be in similar shape to begin with. But maybe it is and this bumper was just never cleaned well by the automatic car wash? I could be wrong though.

Regarding your question about Scratch-X, it’s fairly aggressive, pretty close to UC on the aggressiveness scale (something many people don’t know or consider). It’s definitely realistic to test spot it to see if it can remove any type of oxidation prior to UC.

If you’re going to test a spot on the bumper to see if it’s oxidation, be careful, make it a small spot and start with a brief test pass. If it doesn’t look further like clear coat failing, try longer from there. Hopefully it starts to look better than worse.

[FUNX650]

•From here:
it appears to be CC failure.


Also:
•Looking at the close proximity of the trunk‘s
opening to the scruffy looking bumper area:
-It looks like quite a lot of stuff has been
dragged out of the trunk and onto/across
those affected areas of the bumper.
-Perhaps this scraping action was one of the
initial causes that, along with over-exposure
to UV-rays, began leading the bumper down
the dismal road of CC failure? (But I digress.)


•IMO:
-It’s going to take a professional re-Spray to
effectuate a satisfactory repair—one that’ll
meet with your approval.



Bob

[SixZee]

Thank you, folks.

This is the only area with looks like this. Rest of the car is OK. It has swirls but does not look like this. It is possible that a lot of stuff has been dragged out of the trunk by the previous owner. No idea what the previous owner did but did drive a LOT (20K miles a year). The clear coat is chipping at the other end of the bumper so I got suspicious that its more than oxidation.




Is there any way to prevent it from getting even worse?

Thanks again.

[Mike Phillips]

Is there any way to prevent it from getting even worse?

Don't touch it at all?

Get a vinyl wrap?

Re-paint?

Touch-up paint?


I don't think there's any good, easy or cheap solutions.



This is why I like old school single stage paint. Old school single stage paint oxidizes and we can all fix this type of defect. When clearcoats fail or the paint flakes off, it's game over.