mystery scratches..!!

[wanacoop]

I have just cleaned the S as it's perfect weather for it. As i was finishing off with the shamois, i noticed some light scratches just above the rear off side wheel, which was a shock as i have barely used her since the last clean and they were deffinately NOT THERE THEN! Then i took a closer look and found a couple on the boot!!

What the F is going on!!!!! The car was MINT! It had a re spray before i bought her, the only thing was 2 tiny sratches on the back near the TVR badge, I'm gutted, i just don't know how they get there!? The car is garaged, i've not driven through any bushes(and that wouldn't explain the boot!!) there is a gap at the bottom of the garage door frame, a cat could squeeze through it, do you think thats a possibility??

[drivingfroggy]

Ghost? Yeti? Tramp? Maybe just a cat.

[wanacoop]

drivingfroggy said:

Ghost? Yeti? Tramp? Maybe just a cat.

some good suggestions, ta.

Anyone know of any good scratch removal products that suit the Trevor's??

[Stev8s]

Are they scratches are is the paint cracking had similar problem due to respray as they cannot bake the paint because of fibreglass body

[Dave_M]

Hopefully, it's not crazing. If you use a cover at all, that can leave marks. Iwouldn't have thought cats as we have 3, they like the targa rooves to sit on and I've never had that sort of scratch (mind you, the MG has just got 2 tram lines on both o/s doors from some #';# no doubt).

I imagine it depends how deep and long the scratches are as to what to use for the best.

[Evo]

Did you clean the chamois or sponge properly when cleaning, you may have had some dirt in it ( easy to do if you clean the sills\wheels first, always pays to have a clean bucket to rinse regularly (sorry if this the obvious )

If you cant get your finger nail into the sctratches then they should come out with some cutting compound.

[Dave_M]

Good point Evo. I prefer a water magnet to a chamois, seems more efficient

[Mr Clifford]

Think it might have been the chamois or dirty sponge.
Yesterday i washed and chammied my brand new BMW (sorry i know its a german !)
and guess what 10 small surface scratches (more paint required before this lease car goes back)
.... bugger... only good news I didnt wash the S yesterday.
Result chammy now in the bin along with the sponge !

[Evo]

Without being sad there is a right and wrong way to clean a car to prevent getting debris on a chamios or kicking it up from the ground when rinsing you car off but i always have two clean buckets when i dry a car off, one to soak the chamois and the other to rinse it out into, gotta keep your car looking good.

I know i dont have an S (yet) but my Black Saab Aero is a bugger to keep clean and shows the tiniest scratch.

[ketvrin]

I found that one major disadvantage of having a barn to store the Tiv is the bloody hens that it shares it with... I made the mistake of leaving a comfy rag on the boot (on top of the cover of course) and they decided it made a nice perch/nest... damn things have got claws which scratch

K

[wanacoop]

Well i have bocked off the hole in the garage door frame which an animal caould have got through. Now i will have to be VERY careful when cleaning her. I like the idea of 2 buckets of clean water.. I have a new sponge, i will get a new chamios, if it was either of those two it's strange that i didn't get the scratches all over??

Now i just need to get some advice on removing the marks..

Cheers all.

[Dave_M]

It doesn't take much to scratch and maybe as you tirned it and used it the particles came out?

It's best to have 2 buckets, keep clean and used stuff seperate and replace regularly. It's horrible when you notice damage.

[Evo]

With regards to the marks, run your finger nail over them, if your nail drops into the scratch it depends how much but you will definately have to use a cutting compound like G4 or just see what halfords have, what ever you do, be gentle and rub in circular motions it will help it blend into the rest of the panel and dont go at it hell for leather as the friction can burn/blister the lacquer, little bit at a time and you'll be fine.

[mannik]

had the same problem with mine.....mystery scratches. A lot does depend on the washing as discussed.
Anyhow I use Meguairs triple system which is a paint cleaner, polish and carnuba wax.
Have also used Autoglym Paint cleaner and then Super resin polish - both are good

[wiz 1]

Don't use a sponge get a decent wash mitt, lambswool are about £10-12.

[Evo]

With regards to rinsing a car just make sure you always wash from top to bottom using the two bucket system of rinsing and if using a pressure washer or hose pipe spray from top to bottom it will avoid kicking up any grit from the floor onto you nice clean car, you only need the tiniest bit to mark your paintwork.