Removing scratch from clear coat

[fbaurley]

What is the best way to get a scratch out of the clear coat. It appears to be from a dead limb sticking out along the road. What compound, and method is best? The scratch is just in the clear, but is fairly deep. The scratch is on an my Dads 01 if for some chance it would make a difference with the paint compounds versus the newer trucks.

 

[BRuppel]

you can try mcguires scratch x but it doesn't work that well in my opinion. just let time take it out or have somone professionally take it out.

 

[BLucia]

wet sand the scratch out with 1500 grit wet/dry sand paper and the rub to a shine with any kind of rubbing compound. then you can put a coat of wax over the spot if you want for added protection. hint: wrap sand paper around something flat like a paint stick. don't just use your fingers. it will leave a wave in the paint if u use your fingers. also use plenty of water to keep the sand paper clean and lubricated. good luck!

 

[lmills]

I recently picked up some bad scratches back on my bro-in-laws farm. I used 3M scratch remover designed for clear coats then finished buffing it out with Meguiars polish and wax. I would watch wet sanding unless you are comfortable with doing it. It is very easy to get carried away if you don't know when to stop

 

[LaxCummins]

3m

Meguiar's is probably the least aggressive, then the 3M rubbing compound. I'd probably start with the 3M. That's what I've used to remove extensive pinstriping from 4 wheeling in Colorado on my Jeep.



I'd echo lmills - wet sanding is aggressive. Start with the compounds/scratch removers and see how they do. If that doesn't do it you can then consider the rough stuff...



LAXCummins

 

[MarkRam04]

I use Mother's Sratch Remover for Clear Coat. It works extremely well.

 

[zues]

I would be very careful because clear coat needs a certain Mill thickness to last. When you start wet sanding clear you loose mills and then your clear coat may start peeling much faster. The reason I know this is because I own a body shop. I bought a new truck about 6 years ago and wet sanded and buffed the truck to remove most of the factory orange peel and three years later the paint was peeling everywhere. My neighbor bought a truck 7 years ago that was the same color and same model with all the factory orange peel and the clear coat still has not peeled. So be careful what you do.



3M and Meguires makes a lot of good products.

 

[GoodTGo]

fbaurley,

If you are not comfortable with trying the other methods, may I make a suggestion? Call around to your local dealerships to see if they use a touch-up professional. If you know someone at a dealership that you trust, call them to see if they can recommend someone. I have been in the touch-up business for 10 years. Every situation is different. It depends on the location, depth, color, etc. I am glad you are asking for assistance instead of just gobbing touch-up paint on it. Good luck!

 

[fbaurley]

The wet sanding method sounds dangerous to me. I have done some painting,and body work but this is my first run in with clear coat paint. I worked on a small spot with some turtle wax polishing compound I had, and it removed the scratch. I belive this stuff is a little too abrasive though, but nothing polishing with a finer compound, cant restore back. I plan on doing the rest of it with a finer compound, and i think it will turn out fine. I am just lucky this scratch was just in the clear. I myself, am not sold on clear coat paint. I think it is fine for someone who never washes or waxes their vehicle, but I ll stick with single stage for a show finish. It seems like with single stage, with enough work you can always bring back small imperfections.

 

[XcumminsX]

i hate seeing this thread because i know this weekend im gonna scratch the hell out of my truck (im going to northern wisconsin to offroad)

 

[moel]

I am glad you are asking for assistance instead of just gobbing touch-up paint on it. Good luck![/QUOTE]



fyi--sorry to admit this but, i tried to use touch up paint (purchased from dealer) to restore (rock chipped) rocker panels; bottle had brush tip not ball point tip, i was not steady enough! it looks butt ugly