Scratches On Car From Car Wash

[SL33K]

I took my R33 for a wash today and after the was it had so many hairline scratches on it. And i am very Pissed off.

You cant see them easily but they are there and they were not before.

I tried scratch X and it sux. the scratches are so thin and still it couldnt get them off.

I read somewhere i can use Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound, anyone tried it?

or any other ideas.

Please help. I feel shitty.

[JamesK]

You mind telling us what the car wash was so we don't make the same mistake? How big a spread are we talking about here like the entire car or like just the bonnet or trunk or something? I would recommend some sort of polish but for the life of me I cant remember what brand, you go to autobarn and they'll tell you if they are really shallow it shouldn't be to hard to get out, I feel for you dude hopefully the solution will be as quick and painless as possible

[Trav33]

If you go to your local autoparts store, you'll see a wide range of polishing products.

I generally stick to the Meguiars stuff.

They have products which vary in how agressive they are, from diamond cut, thru to medium cut, light cut and swirl removers. I'd start down at the low end, maybe a light cut and see how you go with that.

[JamesK]

Travs right, also usually if you go to a have decent autostore (well the ones I usually go to anyway) and you bring your car usually they will do a small trail on your car to see which grade is best for you

[Trav33]

they will do a small trail on your car to see which grade is best for you

I like this idea, try going on a few different days and you'll have half the car done!

[4door_Sleeper]

I never use commercial carwashes for the skyline.

Years ago when I worked part time at a servo, the local kids would sneek in and tie sparkplugs to the rotating brushes (you can imagine the damage that caused)

You may need to use a machine rather than hand polish to buff out the marks, then finish witht he finer stuff by hand. Either way its lots of work.

[SL33K]

You mind telling us what the car wash was so we don't make the same mistake? How big a spread are we talking about here like the entire car or like just the bonnet or trunk or something? I would recommend some sort of polish but for the life of me I cant remember what brand, you go to autobarn and they'll tell you if they are really shallow it shouldn't be to hard to get out, I feel for you dude hopefully the solution will be as quick and painless as possible

It was the one on albany Highway in cannington, Perth. the one next to Bankwest.

The scratches are all over. On the bonnet, trunk. side. I used to wash my car myself and my car dint have any scratches and yesterday i decided to go to the car wash coz i was lazy.

Thanx for the help guyz. Might got to autobarn and will also check out an autostore.

So what you guyz are sayin is that the scratches can come off for sure? I dont need to repaint or anythin?

they are very tiny scrathes but a lot. you cant see them at times but if you look properly they are there.

Hope they go away.

[Bliksem]

Take it to a Detailer so they can perform paint correction eg:

[n/aTurbo]

Yeah all carwashes are like that. If you gonna go to one only thing i would do (and i do, do this) is just rinse it with the high pressure soap gun and just spot free rinse it with the gun aswell. Never use the brush in my opinion.

Anywayz bad luck on the trouble Vish and yeah i would follow MintR33's advice and take it to a detialer. Cost you some money but u got pros working on your car, plus you dont have to break your own back aswell.

[Fry_33]

I tried scratch X and it sux. the scratches are so thin and still it couldnt get them off.

I just wondered what your technique was when you used the ScratchX. I only ask because if you didn't use it as they intended then you will not get the results they market. I'm definitely not calling you stupid so don't take offence.

I have seen a video of the Meguiar's guys using this and they mentioned that it can give very similar results to using buffing machines, it just takes longer and obviously takes a lot more effort. This doesn depend on how dep the scratches are though. After the paint was clean they worked on a small 30x30cm square and you apply some scratchX to the foam pad and spread it around. Then start to work the product in an up and down motion and then side to side. Keep moving the product from the edges back into the area you're working on. The product has diminishing abrasives in it so the more you work it the finer the particles get.

If you reall want to tell if it is doing something then use some painters tape and put a line of it on the paint and then remove once done and you'll see if you've made an improvement. If you try to large an area you may not achieve much at all. If you do see an improvement but don't get it to exactly how you want try another application on the same area. There is no advantage in letting the ScratchX dry on the paint before you remove it.

Use a clean microfiber towel to remove the product or you might just be adding scratches back into the paint. You'll need to wax the paint after using polishes.

I just thought I'd mention this as it MAY help and if you've already got the ScratchX it doesn't cost you anything.

Edited October 10, 2008 by Fry_33

[Ultimategtr]

how the hell do the paint detailers get the paint so nice and shiny and rid the paint of the scratches????

+1 to meguires tho

[SL33K]

Thanx MintR33, N/A Turbo will call some detailers too and see how much they charge. hope its not so much.

[SL33K]

I just wondered what your technique was when you used the ScratchX. I only ask because if you didn't use it as they intended then you will not get the results they market. I'm definitely not calling you stupid so don't take offence.

I have seen a video of the Meguiar's guys using this and they mentioned that it can give very similar results to using buffing machines, it just takes longer and obviously takes a lot more effort. This doesn depend on how dep the scratches are though. After the paint was clean they worked on a small 30x30cm square and you apply some scratchX to the foam pad and spread it around. Then start to work the product in an up and down motion and then side to side. Keep moving the product from the edges back into the area you're working on. The product has diminishing abrasives in it so the more you work it the finer the particles get.

If you reall want to tell if it is doing something then use some painters tape and put a line of it on the paint and then remove once done and you'll see if you've made an improvement. If you try to large an area you may not achieve much at all. If you do see an improvement but don't get it to exactly how you want try another application on the same area. There is no advantage in letting the ScratchX dry on the paint before you remove it.

Use a clean microfiber towel to remove the product or you might just be adding scratches back into the paint. You'll need to wax the paint after using polishes.

I just thought I'd mention this as it MAY help and if you've already got the ScratchX it doesn't cost you anything.

Thanx mate. i dint try it that way. will try it when i go home(still at uni).

[Bliksem]

how the hell do the paint detailers get the paint so nice and shiny and rid the paint of the scratches????

Usually by machine polishing. Most of the time the scratches usually only affect the clear coat. If they're deep enough to be felt with a fingernail then that could be a problem

[Bliksem]

Heres the same 4x4 later on... My mate only just posted these pics up:

[Entice]

wow very shiny, amazing. i've only just started taking my 32 through a car wash, usually do it by hand the old fashioned way. we have a "laser car wash" tho, it doesn't touch your car. just sprays soap on, lets it soak, washes it off with high power hoses then repeats with a few different soaps. even washes under your car

[SL33K]

ooooooooh looks nice. i think i am gonna try goin to detailers fo sho if nothing works.

[Ultimategtr]

MintR33 - You mean just any buffing machine and some good ol cut and polish?

What polish did you use?

[Bliksem]

I think they use a special machine, it doesnt just spin it moves in other directions too. Not sure what the polish is, the work was done by my mate who's a professional detailer.

[robbie.85]

for scratch x

make sure your applying the product against the scractch

not along the sratch