I was using some rubbing compound to fix some light scratches and instead of using a wet applicator I put it on dry.

Now I have these horrendous swirl marks on my passenger door panel.

Anybody have any ideas on how to "work" this out.....


Dopey Dean

 

Rubbing compound? Hmm, which one?

The first step to fixing anything is to evaluate the condition and choose the least aggressive method to fix it. If you had light scratches, then you probably could have fixed it with a hand applied paint cleaner like Meguiar's ScratchX which uses diminishing abrasives to work out scratches and swirls by hand.

Depending on how badly you've scratched the paint, its possible that only a machine tool can buff it back. Remember, to remove a swirl, or a scratch, make it less visible, you will have to level the clear coat around the swirls so that the gouges either have rounded edges so they don't catch the light as easily and are thus less visible, or are removed completely.

Got any pictures??

You might need a professional detailer if you don't have access to a tool like a Porter Cable Dual Action Oribital polisher (PC) which would be the least aggressive machine tool thats still safe to use by someone who isn't experienced.

Richard

 

I will take some pictures today.


Thanks

 

Okay what again is FUBAR? I remember it off of Saving Private Ryan but I don't think it's German is it? I'm like Upham I know German really well but have never actually heard that word in use.

Back on topic...

Yea we definetly need pics to see how bad the damage is. You're lucky I took my MCS to a body shop to replace & paint the bonnet and front bumper and it turned out like this. Just be glad u didn't pay anyone $3500 to damage ur paint!

Mikey

 

FUBAR

Fouled
Up
Beyond
All
Repair

Some people use a different word besides "Fouled"...

 

"Repair" is also sometimes replaced with "recognition"

While on the topic, anyone know SNAFU?

Situation Normal: All <Fouled> Up.

 

I

 

I WILL GET THIS THREAD BACK ON TRACK!

OK, I'll soon be going after the swirls on my blk/blk '05mcs. I've never used a buffer before, and frankly, I'm afraid of damaging the finish if I do.

For application by hand, I saw Meguire Scratch-X recommended. How does that compare with Zaino's PC/Fusion?

 

I've got a video on how to use a buffer. Make sure to see Vendor Announcements in the next day or so. It's a complete 2.5 hour video showing over 50 techniques, on how to polish out your car using the PC. You can use any chemical you want, be it Zainos or Meguiars or Klasse, etc.. it's the techniques shown.

Richard

 

No pictures today. We are caught up in a bit of a snow storm.

I will get them tomorrow.

 

For future reference, I would NEVER use anything called rubbing compound (wet or dry applicator) on paint. Certainly not as a first step. Maybe polishing compound.
Always start out with the least aggressive product (as OctaneGuy said). If you use Meguiars, they have #9 (swirl remover), #2 (light scratch remover) and IIRC #1 (heavy scratch remover). Even #2 will make your paint look like crap - you need to follow up with a few coats of #9 to clear things up.

Best of luck fixing it - as long as you didn't gouge the paint, you should be able to restore it with a bit of effort.