Scratch removal

J1mbo · 10-07-2009, 6:12 PM

Due to a complete moron in a wagon practically running me off a country road and into the hedges this evening, I now have a lovely collection of very fine hairline scratches down the side of my new motor

.

I've been told that T-cut is good stuff to remove this kind of thing - is that true?

The car is a bright metallic, so the scratches might be only to the laquer - I'm not sure how you tell.

Also black plastic of the wing mirror is scratched to hell - far worse than the car. Any tips for this?

Frankly I 'd like to know what business a 7.5 ton truck has barrelling along at 50mph on a stretch of road where it frequently requires 3/4 of the lane to even fit...

Ah well, cheers in advance.

Stoatman · 10-07-2009, 6:31 PM

Have you a local body shop or "scratch/Dent" man or even a valeter. WIth a medium cutting compound and a rotary polisher it would be easy for him to remove - probably ! - have you any photos of the damage. ? Scratches are difficult to remove I have found with elbow grease only.

if you do try , try this

Meguiars Scratch X

FZR400RRSP · 10-07-2009, 7:03 PM

I would also recommend you get a proper bodyshop/polishing/detailing company to do it.
Unless it's a very light scratch, no matter of hand polishing or products will work.
I've tried about every scratch removal product going, all hand polishing does is slightly reduce it, at best.
In the process, you can affect the paint around the scratch too.
It's a very frustrating process.
I haven't the balls to buy a rotary polisher and try it myself though.

J1mbo · 11-07-2009, 12:09 AM

Thanks for the help guys. I had rather hoped I could fix without the cost of a garage but it's better to get an honest opinion.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow in case anyone has more ideas.

Copplepot · 13-07-2009, 10:58 AM

T-cut is great but only for surface scratches that aren't that deep. Mainly for stuff like swirls when cleaning the car but give it a try anyway.

I did order some Automotive touch up paint kit for stone chip repair and road rash - Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche- paint for all color codes which worked a treat but it's quite expensive for what you actually get.

LINDY Chris · 13-07-2009, 11:34 AM

If you can feel it with the back of your nail then its too deep to remove with normal compound like T-cut

Best Regards

Chris

PlasmaManiac · 13-07-2009, 1:07 PM

I used something called QUIXX to remove a long jealous scratch from the front drivers wing of my black Cayenne Turbo.

I have to admit I did not expect it to work, however, after an hour the scratch was almost invisable.

What the product did was to smooth out the scratch to make it blend in so well that I have to look hard to spot it now even though it was about 50cm long. I can live with that.

I think at the moment this is the best scratch remover on the market, I could not find it in Halfords so bought it from ebay.

Fizzoid · 13-07-2009, 4:30 PM

Mate of mine does detailing in the SE. He's worked some magic on my cars so far

**custodian** · 14-07-2009, 12:45 PM

I've tried a few of the "magic scratch removal" products and none have worked totally. A professional with a polishing mop will do the best job, although if the scratches can be felt with the back of your fingernail, even the expert will not remove them totally. Cost of one of the dent removal people doing a mop on one side of your car probably around £50 but I could be wrong.

If scratches can be felt, only real solution is paint which could be done for about £50-£60 per panel, or accept cheaper fix by polishing and just live with the residual light marks..

Mirror housing scratches, best solution is a new housing which might be relatively inexpensive (stress might be!)