Just took my Mini to a local hand car wash today. After it was washed, i discovered that there were some scratches on my driver and passenger door. talked to the manager and hes like we didnt do that... even though i those scratches werent there before, i just left. I read a couple other threads on here and people were recommending scratch-x and waxing afterwards. I was wondering if its a good idea, or should i just take it to a nice detail shop... here are some pics.

 

Go to your local NAPA store and ask for a bottle of 3M Finesse It. Or other FLAPS (Favorite Local Auto Parts Store) might have it. If you cant find it there than you can search the web.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Finesse-Fin.../dp/B0009KJ21O

You can apply the stuff by hand with good results for scratches the size you have shown.

 

Hard to tell how deep those are just from the photos.

Yeah, you can try a hand polish like Scratch-X or the 3M stuff ACE recommended.

If that doesn't do the trick, it means those are too deep for a hand polish and you'll need to use a buffer and more agressive polish. If you don't own a PC buffer, you can either buy one (you'll never make a better investment for your MINI and all your other vehicles) or take it to a pro... and be careful, not all pros were created equal.

 

Following what CR.... said, you can always wet sand with 2000 grit sandpaper if the scratches dont come out with the 3M stuff. Sounds scary but I did it on my Triumph TR6 with very pleasing results. If you decide you want to pursue that course then post back or PM me and I can tell you what worked for me.

 

Sorry but recommending anyone to wetsand their paint is a little reckless, especially if they see scratches like this and don't the first thing to do about it. I.e....leave wetsanding to the pros. You may end up repainting the doors (because you made the situation worse) for something that could have been compounded out by a competent paint polisher.

Looks like their sponge/wash mitt or drying towel was contaminated. People don't realize that hand washing with bad techniques is as bad or worse than a machine wash.

Richard

 

Driving a car can be reckless. How reckless depends on the operator and their skill. Wet sanding can be done successfully by someone who isnt a pro, depending on their ability. I would never make a blanket statement that it can and should be done by anyone or everyone but I will stand by my original statement that it can be done with very pleasing results, even if not done by a professional. While not a professional I like to think I can determine for myself when I might be over my head and need to consult or hire a professional. I was just offering options. Of course the final decision on a course of action would be up to the owner.

 

There is no comparison. Yes, but before you can drive, you need a license to drive and you take driver safety courses.

You tell someone who sees a scratch and doesn't know the difference between a scratch that needs to be buffed versus one that needs to be wetsanded, you make it sound like ANYONE can take sandpaper to their car, and fix it.

Your statement:
"said, you can always wet sand with 2000 grit sandpaper if the scratches dont come out with the 3M stuff. Sounds scary but I did it on my Triumph TR6 with very pleasing result"

Implies that "he" could wetsand the paint. Because I spend day in and day out correcting other peoples mistakes, I come from the point of view that inexperienced persons should not be trying to correct something they have no business correcting.

Going along with your example..if the owner messes up the sanding, because he's got metallic paint, the whole door is going to have be resprayed, and possibly won't match the surrounding paint. It only takes one too many strokes to go through the clear coat or even thin the clear coat too much to become a liability.

I'm not criticizing your suggestion of the option, but rather the way you suggested it makes it seem that ANYONE can wetsand paint, professional or not.

Richard

 

thanks for the quick reply guys. i will try the scratchx. what kind of wax do u guys recommend?

 

Point taken. In my original post I should have qualified my statement regarding "anyone". I also should have specified that the person doing the work should feel comfortable with taking on the repair. In my defense, my post was intended to be short and in providing further details I would have encouraged the owner not to attempt something they didnt feel comfortable taking on. Cheers.

 

I, along with a lot of the other OCDetailers here on NAM, use the Prima line of products. Their wax is called Prima Epic.

If you want to learn more about waxes, polishes, and detailing in general, be sure to visit the Detailing 101 forum.

 

just got back from walmart with scratchx. applied it and it definitely help make it less noticeable. gonna apply a couple more times over the next couple days and see if it improves it anymore. definitely going to start washing my own car now..

 

Make sure that you are using ScratchX properly. It's not something you just apply and wipe off. You have to apply it to a pad and rub until your finger hurt and cramp up with a lot of pressure. And repeat this as many times as necessary to pull the scratches out.

Richard

 

thanks for the input.

 

guyver423's scratches is one more example of why washing it yourself is preferrable to other washing options. Hey guy..., I'm hoping the polish does the trick for you, good luck.