Clear Coat Scratches

[harleyaic69]

I was using a orbital waxer on my 2010 Mustang must have picked up a piece of dirt or something was on the buffer bonnet - which ever it scratched the clear coat any suggestions on what to use to remove the scrathes ?

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

Since this is your first post, Welcome to MOL!

It all depends on the depth of the scratch, how does it looks like, swirl marks? RIDS?
Post up some pictures so that we know what you really need.

Maybe some UC will do the job.

Let me know anything,
Ryan

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

Ultimate Compound should be able to take these marks out, unless you really dug them in deep. We're assuming that the tool you used didn't really have the punch to do that, unless you picked up a small metal shaving of some sort. Can you feel any of these scratches with your fingernail or are they just visible under direct light? We're hoping it's just the latter.

What you want to do is work that UC against the paint for a few minutes to round off the edges of the scratches and, to a lesser degree, level the surrounding paint. You could give it a shot with a fresh, clean pad on your orbital as well, or by hand if you prefer. Whatever you do, stay away from terry cloth for this step though as it could mar the paint - terry cloth tends to have some "bite" of it's own, which can be a benefit in some cases, and a liability in others. UC is something you need to physically work against the paint, don't just wipe on like a wax. After working it for a minute or so with a bit of elbow grease, wipe off the residue and inspect the treated area under good, strong light. If you've diminished the appearance of the scratches then you're on the right track. Repeat the same process until they're gone.

[Mike Goodrum]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

My mustang has hard paint and an orbital didn't do it justice. By hand the results were greatly better but since I am doing my whole car I took the plunge and bought the DA :-p. It's coming in on wednesday ! If you haven't got it taken car of by the weekend I'll let you know how I worked mine it.

[harleyaic69]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

The scrathches are visible in direct sunlight you really cannot feel them,and I do know that if you can feel them with your finger nail it is not good, if buffing does not work would you recommend wet sanding ? thanks everyone fo their feed back

[yalerd]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

The scrathches are visible in direct sunlight you really cannot feel them,and I do know that if you can feel them with your finger nail it is not good, if buffing does not work would you recommend wet sanding ? thanks everyone fo their feed back

I won't recommend sanding, probably don't consider this option.
Sanding requires a lot of work and the hard part is removing the scratches you've put into the paint. With the machine you won't be able to remove them.

Give UC a try and keep us posted. I would work by hand and follow Michael Stoops recommendations.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

Wet sanding would be a big "no" for you right now. If you can't remove swirls with the tool you currently have, you're not going to be able to pull out the sanding marks either.

Your orbital polisher is likely what's holding you back at this stage, especially if your paint can be classified as hard.

[harleyaic69]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

I put in an order for your ultimate compound,would you suggest to use a high speed buffer with a wool pad or use a foam pad I have experience using both or would you recommend using my orbital waxer ?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Clear Coat Scratches

Try it with the orbital first. UC isn't really designed for use on a rotary (we assume this is what you mean by "high speed buffer") and even if it were, a wool pad is extremely aggressive and there are a lot of steps between what you've already tried and a rotary with a wool pad. A lot of steps.

If you can't make headway with the orbital and UC, then go with the foam polishing pad on the rotary but keep your speed below 1500 rpm and only use light pressure.