Ahhhh! Help i'm an idiot!!

[BAYOU]

So while giving my truck a much needed bath I was removing some tar on the lower door area and I STUPIDLY used an abrasive sponge that while the truck was wet seemed to be working fine..... No instead I have scratched the poop out of those spots, AHHHHH!

Does anyone have some wisdom to help me here? I know some of you all have taken trail scars away with buffing and wet sanding, but I have no experience with that other than to have buffed boats when I was younger. any help will be greatly appreciated! I hang my head in shame!:hiding::hiding::hiding:

 

[Antman]

So while giving my truck a much needed bath I was removing some tar on the lower door area and I STUPIDLY used an abrasive sponge that while the truck was wet seemed to be working fine..... No instead I have scratched the poop out of those spots, AHHHHH!

Does anyone have some wisdom to help me here? I know some of you all have taken trail scars away with buffing and wet sanding, but I have no experience with that other than to have buffed boats when I was younger. any help will be greatly appreciated! I hang my head in shame!:hiding::hiding::hiding:

Need pics first to see where you need to start! May be as simple as some compound and a buffer.

 

[scanny]

I used Scratch X 2.0 Amazon.com: Meguiar's Scratch X 2.0: Automotive it helps pretty well to remove small scratches and reduce bigger ones if you take your time and follow the instructions.

 

[terra4r]

Polish and DA. Start with the least abrasive method possible to correct your paint and work your way up ( in compound or pad abrasiveness) if needed. Assuming you might not have a DA or rotary, you might have to work in compound with a wool applicator.

 

[shawn719]

No worries - I am in the same boat but with a scratch made by installing GOBI. Here's a link I found quite helpful...and it worked!
Removing Deep Scratches By Hand (
Good luck
S

 

[BAYOU]

Thanks guys had a bit of a freak out .... well still am, here are a couple of pics of my dumbness

 

[Antman]

I'll bet you can get a good deal of that out with some cleaner wax!

 

[BAYOU]

Thanks Antman, I think I will try polishing compound on a buffing wheel then wax, I can't believe I was that dumb, thanks for the advice! :cheers:

 

[shawn719]

Thanks guys had a bit of a freak out .... well still am, here are a couple of pics of my dumbness
View attachment 65742
QUOTE]

Ah, thats childs play. Mine is much worse. I think this would be an easy fix.
Here's another vid by the same guy - a little more detail. Maybe you could go with just a good polish.

Wet Sanding and Refinishing By Hand (Deep Scratch Removal) - YouTube

 

[mountaineer83]

There are a couple of things you can try. Always, always start with the least aggressive method first. You don't want to do more damage than is already there.

The best method would be as stated above to use a polisher to buff the scratches out. If you don't have one, you can use a compound designed to be used by hand. A lot of people use the Scratch X. I use something called revive polish from Adam's polised. They have pads that you can use by hand as well on their website to get the scratches out. You may need a slightly more aggressive compound followed by a polish. For the time being, you may be able to "hide" some of it with a wax for a quick fix. Just make sure to clean the wax off before you start trying to use a polish on it, either with dish liquid or a mixture of water and Isopropyl alcohol. Remember to then wax it once finished to protect your clear coat.

 

[Antman]

No problem! FWIW, I used this:




to go from this (minor fender bender):

to this :

Along with Griot's buffer, and an "orange" pad.
.
.
.
.

 

[Ukie]

Scratch X 2.0 (or any mild polish) will do a job. Looks like damaged spots are not huge in size, so you can apply polish by hand. Just put a little bit of polish (Scratch X 2.0) on a piece of cotton or foam applicator. You can use an old cotton t-shirt, make sure it doesn't have any imprints because it might be abrasive. Apply polish in motion perpendicular to your scratches. You can buy Scratch X 2.0 in your local Walmart for $8 or so.

 

[Ukie]

I think I will try polishing compound on a buffing wheel

You better do it by hand first (at least try). I personally never applied polishing compound using a buffing wheel.

 

[Antman]

You can use an old cotton t-shirt, make sure it doesn't have any imprints because it might be abrasive.

I wouldn't use an old T-shirt! The stitching at the seams may not be cotton and WILL scratch the paint. :cheers:

 

[Ukie]

I wouldn't use an old T-shirt! The stitching at the seams may not be cotton and WILL scratch the paint. :cheers:

Cut T-shirt (front/back), cut stitching off.
Fold cotton pieces couple times so you can hold them comfortably and apply light pressure. If you managed to drop your applicator, wash it first in mild detergent or use another clean applicator.

 

[BAYOU]

Thanks everyone I'll keep ya posted on the rescue mission :cheers:

 

[Stifler]

dont waste your money on scratchx that stuff is crap. Just get a good cleaner/sealer and a polish wheel and it will be just fine.

 

[Ukie]

Just get a good cleaner/sealer

Are you talking about stuff like Klasse all in one?

 

[Stifler]

yes. Klasse is good stuff for an all in one.... personally I am not a huge fan of all in ones, for scratches I will use Lanes Super Cut and follow it up with their paint sealer.... real easy to use