Removing Surface Scratches

[Jasin]

Ok the wife just sat a bad of cat food on the top of my Camaro and dragged it off. Leaving insane surface scratches, Do any of you know a good way of getting these out? I have heard wet sandind but I don't think thats a good idea on a clear coat. Thanks..

[Anthracis]

Wet sanding is fine on a clear coat. Hopefully the scratches are just surface scratches and not real deep. Use plenty of soapy water and fine grit paper. just be careful and do a little bit at a time. Dont be afraid if it looks really bad at first. You will need to polish and buff afterwards and it will restore the paint to like new. There are a lot of good sites on the net that explains the procedure. Check some sites out and try it out.

If the scratches are too deep, you are SOL. You may need a shop.

[67CamaroRSSS]

KILL the biotch. Then use the cat to polish out the scratches.



Ummmmm, wait...... :think:




Of course I jest. Kill the cat and then use your wife's head to polish the car....




To be honest with you, I've never been concerned with the appearance of my car. As you can see I'm pretty :screwy:



Just pulling your leg. Method of removal will be determined by how deep the scratch(es) are. I usually leave that to the detail guy.

[Ed Blown Vert]

Wet sanding would be my last resort. Most likely you can just use an orbital buffer with a fine polish.

[Jasin]

Thanks guys i think it may be best if I leave this one to the pros its on black so wont be easy.

[jagleaso]

I bet its an easy fix....

If the scratches are superficial (ie not through the clear coat) get a Dual Action polisher (porter cable) and some compound/polish and it will buff right out. A orbital buffer is a little bit trickier...

If the scratches are through the clear coat but not through the base paint then I would just touchup the clear and buff.

... Post a pic and maybe we can help you out further.

[Z06-Goose]

I bet its an easy fix....

If the scratches are superficial (ie not through the clear coat) get a Dual Action polisher (porter cable) and some compound/polish and it will buff right out. A orbital buffer is a little bit trickier...

If the scratches are through the clear coat but not through the base paint then I would just touchup the clear and buff.

... Post a pic and maybe we can help you out further.Excellent advice right there
Get yourself a PC Cable (Orbital Buffer) and some Optimum Polish Compound and some LC Orange Pad. You'd need to work it in and may take few passes and it's a bit of a time consuming affair to achieve the results you want, as i've found out the clear coat on fbodies is really hard
Post some pics, and i may do a little tutorial write-up to guide you thru. At least it will be a good starting point for you to get going

[jagleaso]

Again, I agree completely.
Just remember if you are going to be using optimum compound (one of my favs) that it doesnt take much, if you use to much you can be sure that the combination of too much compound + gm clearcoat will definately be time consuming :rubeyes: Also, ive noticed that it does take longer to break down than some of the other compounds I have used in the past.

[SuperSport]

The wife should be made to wear Princess Lea's slave outfit and be chained to the car.

Then have her use that that Porter Cable buffer with some compound of choice and all will be good.

[SiggyZ]

Try an orbital buffer with some 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound first.

[jagleaso]

Try an orbital buffer with some 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound first.

I would strongly suggest using a DA polisher first if you dont have any expirience with the orbital. You will be much less prone to burning.

[Z06-Goose]

I would strongly suggest using a DA polisher first if you dont have any expirience with the orbital. You will be much less prone to burning.
huh? I think you meant rotary, and not orbital?

[SiggyZ]

An orbital buffer/polisher is not difficult to use. I've never burned through my clear coat using it and I'm by no means an expert.

I would strongly suggest using a DA polisher first if you dont have any expirience with the orbital. You will be much less prone to burning.

[jagleaso]

huh? I think you meant rotary, and not orbital?

Yeah my mistake, thats what happens when your reading ls1.com and autopia.net at the same time.

Good luck w/ the fix jasin

[Jasin]

Thanks for all the posts guys ended up that the scratchs are to deep to buff out. However the day I went to the detailer i got caught in a hall storm. So she has cellulite now wooohooo my sexy car is now dimpled like a fat chic. Works out thou insurance covers the damage.