Hey guys...Just had a newb detailing question. Just wondering if I need to clay bar my car before using Scratch-X. I just clay barred the cooper about a week and a half ago then waxed it with NXT. A few days later, I noticed fine line scratches all through the hood. I wanna try scratch-x to see if it'll remove these scratches, but I do I need to prep the car in anyway???

 

STOP!!!! Don't use ScratchX for what I am imagining as little swirls or mars in your paint. ScratchX is a coarse abrasive and I do not (like) or advise it for swirl removal. An abrasive that is FAR higher in quality and MUCH more consistant and FINER is 3M Swirl Mark Remover. This can be used by buffer or by even hand with a pure foam applicator (use back and forth motions only and polish off with a microfiber towel.) I would suggest you use this first.

ScratchX is meant to be used for more serious defects and then must be followed up by a finer compound to remove the hazing that ScratchX itself leaves in the surface. Actually, I MUCH prefer 3M Finesse It II for this step, then followed my Swirl Mark Remover if necessary.

Please read up on scratch removal or ask some more questions before jumping in too deep. Using the wrong technique or product can make a lot of extra work for you. Waxes are often a matter of preference but there are HUGE real quality differences in abrasives.

 

Hey bradb, thanks for the reply. Actually, they aren't swirl marks. They're very fine scratches that can be seen only in the sunlight at an angle. Will the 3m still remove those fine scratches?

 

Without seeing them it's hard to tell. The Swirl Mark Remover may do the trick. It's the least aggressive product. The Finesse It will definitely remove those marks you have.

If you are serious about long term paint care, those two 3M products are the BEST and most important to have in your car-care arsenal. You can solve 90% of your paint defects with 3M Finesse It II and 3M Swirl Mark Remover.

You always want to start with the least invasive product first. If that gets rid of the defect then great. If not, then you need to go to a more aggressive product, then finish up with a finer product to bring the shine back to maximum brilliance.

Here are some articles. There are more if you search around this site.

Hope these help.

 

Thanks BradB...