Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

[strader327]

Hello everyone, I hope I'm not doing what I'm afraid that I"m doing and I'll ask you all to be sure. Is it possible to create scratches in your paint specifically in the paint's clear coat when applying and removing polish and wax?

If so what usually causes it? Is by applying too much wax or polish? Or is it wiping it off too hard or too fast? Also would using a microfiber with wax residue on it cause scratches? Just curious to see what you all do to prevent clear coat scratches while waxing and polishing.

Anyways, thank you all for your time.

[davey g-force]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

It shouldn't happen.

But things like a dirty towel, a poor quality or old towel, or excessive force/rubbing could conceivably cause scratching.

And yes, dried wax / polish residue may do it too.

[strader327]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Thank you for the response. But I got another question. How do you know if you are using a good quality microfiber or not?

Let's see the kinds I normally use are a set I bought either at wally world or kmart. I think they come in a set of three.

The colors the three come in are yellow, lime green, and blue. I can't think of the band name and I don't think I can retrieve it since I ripped the tags off of them after I bought them.

But I normally use those for the initial work of removing the wax/polish/detailer and then for the final buff I'll use one of my Meguiars supreme shine microfibers. But if you all have any suggestions feel free to let me know. Thank you again for your time.

[strader327]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Oh here we go! I just did a quick search for the cloths and I think I found the brand name. I use Uber all purpose microfiber cloths. Here is what they look like.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Uber-All-Purpose-Microfiber-Towels_p_182.html

But as I said earlier I mainly use them for the initial "hard work" of removing the wax and so on. I then use the Meguiars supreme shine cloths for the final buff. But if you all see any problems with the uber cloths please call it to my attention. I may need to change brands or be more careful with them.

Also, how do you know if a microfiber towel is worn out enough to stop using it? I've had some of these for like three or four years now.

[Murr1525]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Hmm, not sure what you mean by 'hard work'.. but really working hard, and having to use a lot of pressure on the paint to remove something could lead to swirls.

[strader327]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Hello there, what I meant was the initial wax removal. Oddly enough, I do not have a problem with swirls, I've just have seen a few regular straight line scratches in the clear coat. They are something that is hard to see anyway.

You have be at the right angle and the right height and in the right amount of light in order to see them. I'm just aware of them and wonder how I can prevent any future clear coat scratches.

[davey g-force]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Those MF towels look fine to me but perhaps you should try changing to the Meguiars supreme shine cloths for both the initial wipe and the final buff, and see if that makes a difference..

How do you wash / dry your MF's?

[strader327]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

I've done them different ways. In the past I let them soak in water and liquid detergent and then I would scrub out the stains and ring them out and let them air dry. But lately I've taken them to the local laundry mat and wash and dry them there. My folks won't let me use our home washer and dryer for them because they are afraid the wax/polish residue will clog up the ducts where the waste water leaves the washer.

But I will say in both scenarios, I never use fabric softener. I remember reading about that either here or somewhere else online a long time ago and since then I never use fabric softener. So that's a key thing right there.

But if you all have any other suggestions please feel free to let me know. Thanks again.

[davey g-force]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Sounds about right.

- Machine wash with a liquid detergent and no fabric softener
- Dry in the dryer on low heat.

I found that they turn out much softer in the dryer than if air dryed. Also high heat can burn/melt the fibers and cuse them to go hard and scratchy.


I'm starting to think you have soft paint..

[strader327]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

You could be right, in fact my car's paint looks a lot like yours or the one you have listed as your avatar. It's almost that same shade of blue and has a very slick and wet look to it.

Here is a video I made of my car last year after I detailed it all the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FN27b80wHw

[davey g-force]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Car looks great!

That's not my car in my avatar. I have the same make/model but mine is black...

[strader327]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

Well then, since it's the same make and model the paint might be similar. So in the case with your black car, is your car's black paint considered "soft paint"? Because if it is then it's very likely that mine is as well. But even if it isn't do you think it's best to treat the car's paint as if it is "soft paint"? Thanks again for your time.

[davey g-force]

Re: Clear coat scratches due to waxing/polishing

I wouldn't say my paint is soft. I generally need UC to get any decent correction out of it. I have marred / scratched it by being careless whlist QD'ing a couple of times, but nothing too major - especially for a black car, which will show everything up.

Now that I think of it, I think the proper term I was looking for (for your paint) is "delicate". I seem to recall a post by Michael Stoops explaining the difference between "delicate" and "soft" paint. If I recall correctly, it was something like:

Delicate = easily scratched / marred by touching the paint;
Soft = easily corrected.

So, as a worst case, you can have delicate paint, which is hard (easily scratched but hard to correct). Unfortunately many modern clear coats fall into this category.
Or, as a best case, you can have "undelicate" (is that a word?) paint which is soft (not easily scratched and easy to correct).

You can't assume that because my paint is hard/soft then yours will be too. That can vary even between cars of the same year/make/model and is something you can never tell until you try.

I think it would be best practice to always assume your paint is soft (I think you mean delicate) - better to be safe than sorry!