Rubbing out scratches

super99 · May 3, 2015

My 5 year old grandson took a rock and drew on his Mother's car doors. She IS NOT HAPPY!!! They don't appear to be very deep to me, but I'm not an expert by any means. I didn't think about asking here, I asked over on the OT page. Someone suggested McGuires Scratch X. I have never done this before, how is this done? Rub it by hand? Use a pad on a hand grinder? I have a 4" and 7" angle grinder. Do you rub it with a cloth, fine sand paper or ??? I'm trying to upload pictures, but so far nothing is coming thru. Any suggestions? Thanks, Chris

Dick L · May 3, 2015

Without seeing and feeling advise would be a crap shoot. Take it to a reputable body shop and get and estimate. They will tell you what it will take to fix it. You can then decide if you want to tackle it or let the body shop fix it.

Stephen Newell · May 3, 2015

More than likely with a rock the damage is too much to rub out. If the paint is a metallic then it has been clear coated so you would need to add clear to it while you are in the process of sanding it level. If it's a solid single stage paint you could get some brush on touch up paint and fill the scratch and wet sand it between coats with 600 grit paper. Once you get it level it would help if you got some rattle can touch up paint to spray the area. Once you get it level wet sand it with 1500 grit paper and either rub it out with rubbing compound or would be better would be to buff it.

dr sportster · May 3, 2015

It all will depend on what layer of paint the scratches go to.In the clearcoat ,okay , in the base coat hard to fix with touch up.

87nassaublue · May 10, 2015

Hi Chris,

It really depends on how deep the scratches are. You might be able to work it down by hand using a fine cut rubbing compound. I would recommend using a machine buffer with a wool bonnet to do the work. I prefer 3M Perfectit fine cut compound to do buff work. What every you do, don't use an angle grinder or grinder of any sort. The RPMs are too high. Watch a few youtube videos on buffing. It's really not hard, just a little messy. I work one square foot at a time. Just put some on a cloth, and smear it in the general area, then use the buffer to spread and work the paint till it all turns to dust. Then wipe with a terry towel to check your work. You can wash it after and hopefully you can make it not noticeable.

da.bees · May 13, 2015

There are few cases where "rubbing out" scratches is the best way of fixing the damage. You are removing 10 times more paint than was removed when it was scratched. You can buy "wax"sticks in colors to match paint color at most part stores. No sanding or rubbing involved. Wash car,apply stick wax in scratches,let dry then polish area with what ever you normally use to maintaine the finish. Lasts 6 months to a year if car is never sheltered,longer if kept in garage. If you can't be satisfied with less than permanent,do as Steven suggested.

Rubbing out scratches

super99

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Dick L

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Stephen Newell

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dr sportster

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87nassaublue

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da.bees

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