Removing surface scratches.
Removing surface scratches.
Author
Discussion

ZR1cliff

Original Poster:

17,999 posts

265 months

Thursday 29th June 2006
quotequote all
I have some surface scratches on paintwork,its a black base coat with a coat of laquer(not sure how many coats),ime quite patient and have areas that i can experiment on.
What is the best way to remove the scratches?,is there a good thread i can be pointed too.
Thanks in advance.

ChipsAway Guy

46 posts

231 months

Thursday 29th June 2006
quotequote all
A good, self-reducing compound (Farecla G3, Meguiars Scratch-X) used according to the instructions will start off as a medium abrasive, and break down into a progressively finer abrasive (to remove the microscratches it itself caused early on) and do a decent job of removing the damaged lacquer surface leaving a good finish.

Black is the least forgiving colour for lacquer damage.

Polishing is an abrasive process. It can be very easy to strip all the lacquer off your finish. Do be careful.

Newly-exposed lacquer should be protected with a coat of wax or it may oxidise and go dull.

If you're in any doubt, consult a vehicle finish professional. If they mess up, they can sort it out. Professionally supplied polishing repairs are usually cheap as chips - and much cheaper than new paintwork if it goes wrong with a DIY repair.

Best of luck,

CG

ZR1cliff

Original Poster:

17,999 posts

265 months

Thursday 29th June 2006
quotequote all
Thanks CG,ive got some G3 super finish compound tonight and have been experimenting on a out of the way panel,silly question here but whats the best way to use this stuff,on its own ,add water?
Ive been using it by hand and rubbing lightly.

ChipsAway Guy

46 posts

231 months

Friday 30th June 2006
quotequote all
The Farecla guys advise us to use it with a water spray-bottle. The water helps it break down and refine the abrasives in it.

Apply it to a cloth, and rub it gently into the panel, misting the panel from the spray bottle occasionally. Check your progress on how deep you're going often.

Best of luck!

CG

Edited for clarity!

Edited by ChipsAway Guy on Friday 30th June 06:52

TONYATSWISSOL

22 posts

258 months

Friday 30th June 2006
quotequote all
3m finesse-it on a buffer is excellent its a fine compound and you can apply alot of pressure without burning the top coat also leaves an excellent finish.G3 liquid compound is good for severe swirls or minor scratches but be carefull for its best to get an expert with experience .

Edited by TONYATSWISSOL on Friday 30th June 16:04

ZR1cliff

Original Poster:

17,999 posts

265 months

Saturday 1st July 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice,at the moment ime taking my time and trying the compound by hand,once i get familiar ile try an electric buffer.

vollksvagen365i

5 posts

229 months

Friday 7th July 2006
quotequote all
STOP, befor using an electric buffer, do you have any freinds in th etrade? i am a paint sprayer 17 yrs in dealerships now painting boats down south, paint aint as thick as it used to be , so one minute and yer down to primer! risk is half a min and the laquer is gone and yer left wth a Matt black basecoat . that will need re spraying . the labour involved in polishing out scratches is more than "Dusting " a couple of coats with an spray can and a tickle up with T cut . i can offer more advice if asked....

ZR1cliff

Original Poster:

17,999 posts

265 months

Saturday 8th July 2006
quotequote all
vollksvagen365i said:
STOP, befor using an electric buffer, do you have any freinds in th etrade? i am a paint sprayer 17 yrs in dealerships now painting boats down south, paint aint as thick as it used to be , so one minute and yer down to primer! risk is half a min and the laquer is gone and yer left wth a Matt black basecoat . that will need re spraying . the labour involved in polishing out scratches is more than "Dusting " a couple of coats with an spray can and a tickle up with T cut . i can offer more advice if asked....


Ime all ears and would be grateful of more advice,can you recomend anyone in Hants that would either guide me or take the job on.