Light Scratches

[btl1990]

When I bought my car is was really scratched up. What can I do to help remove this or tone them down? I was thinking clay?

[M0nK3y]

Clay will not remove scratches. Clay is used in order to remove embedded materials in the paint. You will need a paint polish or cleaner to remove scratches. I would try Meguiars ScratchX. I dunno of any other products.

Anyone?

[btl1990]

Thanks. Should I polish then clay bar?

[bimmerfiver]

Thanks. Should I polish then clay bar?

You should use the search feature and study up! :)

(your question is a bad question...yes, there are dumb questions, no offense).

[Steve530]

Clay first, then polish.

AFAIK, scratch removing polishes fill the scratches with oils and other fillers.

You'll have a hard time removing scratches without some sort of mechanical polisher. If you do not have a machine, you might find it cost effective to take the car to a detailer or body shop and ask them to polish out the scratches.

Or buy a PC, pads and polishes. Then follow the guidelines posted here and other sites.

[Skyline]

The best way to remove thes is to start out with 3000 grit sand paper then buff it really good.

[btl1990]

I have a PC. I bought Scratch X today along with the Mothers clay bar kit. Should I also buy some sandpaper before I clay bar and polish?

[simracer]

For heaven's sake, no, a detailing newb shouldn't even think about using sandpaper and it's reckless to even recommend it.

I'd think everyone should know that it's a best practice to start with a less aggressive approach and work your way up from there.

Try the PC and a polish first. If that doesn't work, then try the PC and a more aggressive polish or compound.

Only then, if that still doesn't work and you're aware that you could very well sand through your clear (assuming you have a clear coat), then you could try sanding after reading up on the process.

And I'd practice on a scrap panel or someone else's car before trying it on my BMW.

But I certainly wouldn't start by sanding.

[btl1990]

Good advice. Thanks. I'll post before and after pictures.

[simracer]

Good deal. Hope it turns out well.

By the way, is it single stage paint or clear coat?

[btl1990]

It's the stock paint so Id say clear coat :confused?

[simracer]

If you work a polish on the finish and end up with body color on the cloth you're using, then it's single stage. If you work a polish in and no body color on the cloth, you're working on clear.

I think I've heard that yellow e36 M3s had single stage paint, so original paint doesn't necessarily mean it's clear coated.

[djminkin]

Yikes definitely dont use sandpaper. First clay the car to remove all the crap, then a meguairs #6, I believe, will remove most clear coat scratches, and then the new P21s concours, which is an awesome wax.. That should do it. If your car is really scratched take it to a body shop and ask their opinion, but dont sand it yourself.

[btl1990]

Return the Meguires Scratch X?

[paul e]

Return the Meguires Scratch X?

No, dont return it. A detailers 'toolkit' should have lots of different products for different purposes. If you work with hardware, you have more than a simple slotted screwdriver in your toobox dont you? Well its the same thing for detailing. I have maybe 6 different polishes covering all the different grades of 'cut' or abrasiveness. I also have two rubbing compounds, a couple of prewax 'cleaners', plus clay, and several different waxes. And thats just for starters!! Think of the products you use to maintain your paint as tools in a toolbox. The only way to really understand this is start searching the net... a couple of good place to start include:

http://autopia.org/forum/
http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/default.aspx

[tyguysampson]

no good fam