Polishing out scratches

I have a red 1985 Euro QV that I have done extensive polishing/portering/detailing on. The color and shine now look great . When you get real close, you can see quite a few superficial scratches (looks like the pervious owner may have sprayed the car down with water and then wiped it down with an old towel). Not scratches in the form of key or sharp objects. I am curious if others have had the same scenario and how far you have gone from a polishing (heavy cut cleaner like Mequiar's, Plum Crazy) standpoint. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

The only real way to removing these superficial scratches is to use the process of wet sanding. If you're familiar with using polishing compounds and proper pads, heat is your enemy. But you will need to use the wet sanding process after using appropriate polishing compounds and pads. Check out YouTube under Meguiars tech tips. Good luck and happy motoring.

 

Same thing on my car but I've given up because they always creep back.

 

I wouldn't consider doing anything drastic without using a paint meter to evaluate what you are working on. The paint on these cars wasn't close to great even when new, so there may be thin areas. Personally, I'd live with the superficial scratches rather than potentially making things worse, unless you have a lot of confidence in your detailing abilities.

Best regards,
Dino

 

I know huh. I swear that they painted them in the open with dust flying around.

 

Unless you plan to show the car, microscratch visibility is 99% in the eye of the owner.
Solution: Stay where it "looks great" and don't get "real close"

Be careful; you may be a developing FOCS (Ferrari Obsessive Compulsive Syndrome).

 

Detailed Image has a lot of great articles written by professional detailers. There is a lot of really good info here, it just takes time to read through it.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/

 

I have good luck with 3M Finesse It.

It's about $65 a quart.

 

its so hard to know how deep the scratches are until I see a photo of them. If you took a photo of the sun reflecting off your paint I can get an idea.

You can use somethink like Meguiars 205 and a soft pad and be just fine, no need for a PTG (paint thickness guage) if using this combo. ARe you using a rotary or dual action machine?

The scratches that creep back in are caused in a few ways: 1. you didn't remove them and the carriers in the polishing media you used just filled them in. 2. You are slightly scratching the paint again when you wash and dry. 3. some waxes will fill and hide the faint scratches.

I'm more than willing to help you, but I'll need photos and more info. Trust me its worth the effort.

Cheers,
GREG

 

Griots has a product called "paint glaze" that's purpose is to fill those micro scratches and swirl marks making them less noticeable.
I just purchased it, but haven't used it yet, so I can't tell you how well it works.

 

Just sent my detailer, Frank Cassidy, an e-mail. I'm sure he will respond with some good advice. Do you have a random orbital polisher? Meguiars has come out with some new microfiber pads as opposed to sponges. Also, they have a polish for use with the pads. Frank can elaborate in more detail.

 

If the scratches are only the typical superficial 'wash scratches' you find on every car, a very gentle approach with a DA polisher would be the best option. I saw in an earlier post a suggestion of wet sanding. This would be overly aggressive in this case as the scratches are described as 'superficial'. Wet sanding can be very useful when it comes to fixing heavy defects or removing orange peel.

The post by Dreaming suggesting Meguiars 205 and a soft polishing pad is good and a safe way of dealing with it. (see attached before/after pics of a Porsche I just did on Wednesday using Meguairs 205 and soft pad - let me know if you need to see more) Additionally, you could try the new Meguairs Microfiber system for DA polishers - it works wonders and most importantly, it will not leave buffer trails even if the user is inexperienced.

Remember, every time you touch your paint with a cloth, it is going to cause some minor micro-scratching. Using new good quality microfiber towels will minimise the scratching, but you can never prevent it. I was at the Good Guys Show in San Diego today - almost every single car on show had wash scratches and many had paint swirls, and these are show cars!

If you want the car perfect, go ahead and buff using one of the methods I have suggested, however understand the scratches will reappear over time - it's just a matter of how frequently you clean the car and what type of microfiber towel you use (make sure it's 100% clean before starting) Adding a layer of sealant will also help protect it a bit longer.

Hope this helps and feel free to send me questions.
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Thanks guys for all the feedback. The process I wound up taking, worked very well. Mequiars Fine Cut Cleaner with a foam pad from Autopia and a random orbital. Step two, Mequiars Swirl Remover, different foam pad and random orbital, Step three Mequiars Show Car Glaze, different foam pad again and random orbital. Final step, had wax with a Banana Creme Wax. Looks great. You are right, the superficial scratches are very difficult to totally get rid of. Also, I was doing all the work under florencent lights, under direct sunlight, I would say 95% of any remaining imperfections are gone. "Good" microfiber clothes are the key to success with these cars. I have been doing detailing for many years, but on clear coat paint, you don't necessarily see the kind of imperfections I was seeing on this paint. Overall, I am 95% satisfied, no one else can see them. To be perfect is going to cost a lot of $$$$. Thanks again for everyone's feedback.