Is ScratchX abrasive?

[Gryz]

Is ScratchX abrasive?

Hello,

I have always had a passion for automobiles, and for the last couple years have been working for a very large auto dealership washing and cleaning the insides. I have that down to a science and would like to get into detailing using compounds and the such.

I have been doing my research, and would like to get things straight before I start.

I recently aquired a '97 BMW 328is that is in need of a good cleaning. It has minor scratches and swirls and the color could used brightened up a little bit.

So I intend on washing the vehicle, claying, using some sort of scratch/swirl remover, glazing and then waxing. Is this the correct order?


My questions are:
It says on one page on this site that ScratchX is NOT an abrassive, but later on, on the product detail page it says it is...

http://http://www.meguiars.com/?auto...aners/ScratchX
http://http://www.meguiars.com/tips/...selected_ID=11

I am unclear if it is an abrassive or not...

[Murr1525]

Re: Newbie

Yes,

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean
4. Polish
5. Wax - 2 coats

ScratchX is not an old fashioned, real rough abrasive. An old fashioned abrasive would start rough, and stay rough, basicaly making scratches in order to remove the paint.

ScratchX has diminishing abrasive, that is it starts off stong enough to remove swirls, but then breaks down to being a very mild cleaner to finish up, that wont leave fine scrathces in the paint.

[Gryz]

Re: Newbie

Is ScratchX easy to apply by hand? Also, should I consider a galze at all?

[Murr1525]

Re: Newbie

Well, ScratchX is the best product Meguiars makes for removing swirls by hand. However, it does take a lot of passion behind he pad. You are using a very safe product to remove a hard substance like paint, so you can imagine it will take some effort. Doing a whoel car right ***** in one day, best to just focus on a panel or two at a time, dont try and do to much to quickly.

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Naturaly, the easier and faster way, though a bit more expensive, is working by machine...

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

For Meguiars products, a glaze and pure polish are effectively the same.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Newbie

I would recomend looking into a G100, your process would go much quicker and you will get much better results than you ever will by hand...

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Newbie

Not to confuse you with all this info. Both are giving great advice. If a g100 is not in your budget you can achieve very good results using alot of passion with scratch-x. just remember try not to do too much at a time do a panrl or two then call it a day. best of luck.

[Gryz]

Re: Newbie

Thank you,

I have several questions...

After I clay and use ScratchX should I apply a polish without abrassive properties? If so, is the latter otherwise known as a glaze?

Also, I have searched and found tons of threads about ColorX, any reasons to use it in place of ScratchX?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Newbie

Thank you,

I have several questions...

After I clay and use ScratchX should I apply a polish without abrasive properties? If so, is the latter otherwise known as a glaze?

The answer is "yes".

Forget the names for a moment and look at our polishes as either,

• Cleaner/Polishes - A polish with a diminishing abrasive to help remove fine swirls and scratches
• Pure Polishes - A polish without diminishing abrasives, only for use on paint in perfect condition before applying wax.

Check out Deep Crystal Polish for a pure polish, easy to find, inexpensive, works great.

Also, I have searched and found tons of threads about ColorX, any reasons to use it in place of ScratchX?

ScratchX is a dedicated paint cleaner, it doesn't add polishing oils or protection, it's for people that want a dedicated product for doing one thing and doing it really well.

ColorX is a one-step product, it cleans, polishes and protects, it's for people that want good result fast without doing all the steps.

Generally speaking, you will get the best results when you do a multiple step process.

[Gryz]

Re: Newbie

I have a question about the plastic trim pieces. Am I correct that I should not get any polish or wax on these pieces, or is this only if I use a machine, to prevent burn? I intend on doing the car by hand...

[gb387]

Re: Newbie

I have a question about the plastic trim pieces. Am I correct that I should not get any polish or wax on these pieces, or is this only if I use a machine, to prevent burn? I intend on doing the car by hand...

Try your best not to get any product on the trim, its not going to damage the trim but... if you do get some on the trim the product tends to turn white and you will have to come back and remove the product and sometimes that can be a pain.

[Gryz]

Re: Newbie

What about removing fine scratches on these pieces? Is there polish specifically for trim?

[gb387]

Re: Newbie

What about removing fine scratches on these pieces? Is there polish specifically for trim?

If you are talking the textured plastic trim/black plastic trim and similar there is nothing to remove scratches from such materials, you can try minimize there look of a scratch with a trim dressing... now if you are talking clear plastic like headlights and taillights you can use PlastX to remove scratches.

[Gryz]

Re: Newbie

How about plasitic bumbers and side skirts?

[Murr1525]

Re: Is ScratchX abrasive?

If they are painted the same color as the car, then you can use ScratchX. Remember, you are working on the paint in that case, not whats underneath.

[Gryz]

Re: Is ScratchX abrasive?

Thank you.

Yes they are painted the same color....one last question, after using scratch X can I apply wax to these plastic parts also?