Which defects can realistically be removed?

**zackl801** · 10-01-2020, 10:57 AM

Which defects can realistically be removed?

Hey everyone!

I bought a new to me 2017 Ford Raptor in Magnetic Gray.

I've managed to remove a good amount of the tiny spider web looking swirls but im obsessing over trying to remove these deeper defects. None of which i can catch with my fingernail so i assume they should be removeable.

I have been using Lake Country Orange CCS pads with Meguires105 as a first step and then following up with a Gray pad and Meguires205. My next thought was to try a Meguires MF pad with the 105 to see if I can remove these more stubborn lines.

I guess my question is can these actually be removed this way or at what point should i just accept it as good enough?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Mike Phillips · 10-01-2020, 11:12 AM

I love your passion for perfection....

Is this a daily driver or a Garage Queen?

First read this and look at the pictures

Clearcoats are thin by Mike Phillips

Then read this and look at the pictures where they forum member buffed through the clear and exposed the metallic grey paint trying to remove a scratch.

When to stop buffing - Or - How far should you go to remove swirls and scratches?

If it's a daily driver, just figure out your comfort level and stop chasing after the deeper RIDS when you hit that point.

A good way to figure out what your comfort level is - go to a couple body shops and ask them what it will cost to repaint a

fill-in-the-blank

**zackl801** · 10-01-2020, 11:24 AM

Hey Mike thank you for the quick reply! This is a daily driver. Or at least its my main vehicle. Working from home this year has cut down my daily driving drastically. I appreciate the articles you've linked above and I have read through both of them. I think for me just to see if I can do it I'll do a test section with one of these more noticeable remaining scratches and see if i can get rid of it. If im able to then maybe ill have the confidence to try it on the rest of my truck. This lines are very hard to see as they dont really capture any light like the spider web lines do. When I look up close its almost like they are dents in the clear coat rather than a scratch that can buff out. If that makes any sense? I have gone to a body shop near me just to ask about some touch up work on places like the hood where there are rock chips and for sure it is pricey. Still haven't decided whether I need to go that far or if just doing my touch up paint and cleaning things up will make me happy. Thanks again!

Mike Phillips · 10-01-2020, 12:43 PM

I completely understand the drive to remove everything that can be removed.

I was like that at one time. No more for daily drivers. It's all to easy to turn a Mole Hill into a Mountain.

So go for it but tread carefully.

**Rsurfer** · 10-01-2020, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Phillips

I completely understand the drive to remove everything that can be removed.

I was like that at one time. No more for daily drivers. It's all to easy to turn a Mole Hill into a Mountain.

So go for it but tread carefully.

That would be great if it worked on my you know what! I mean my vegetable garden.