Hi everyone, so I've always dreaded being the one to have to post this kind of thread But here I am. Tonight I had to move my car for my brother, and as I'm backing in I hear a sound, I was barely rubbing against my Mom's Honda Pilot. So, it looked really bad at first, but upon further examination it was all 'dust'.

So, I wiped it, then sprayed on eagle one wax / detailer to it and you can't even see it unless you're inches away. But then, I shined a flashlight from an angle and you can see this very fine 'scratch' all around. I don't even wanna call it a scratch though b/c if you rub your finger across it it's just as smooth as the rest of the car. Do you think this is just in the clear coat? Will I be able to get these marks out? The marks are around the outmost part, just above the wheel. Oh, the best to descibe it would be as if you had tar that smeared on your car while cleaning it.

Here are some pics, although keep in mind that, 1. I'm not the best photographer, haha and 2. this is with shining a flashlight directly on it in attempts of reproducing the marks I see when I look really close with a direct light. It's dark now, so I'm just hoping it doesn't look like this during the day.

What tips do you guys have to get this out?







And my Mom's car This can't be fixed I'm sure, cuz it's plastic on the bumper and I can see the paint came off

 

Oh yeah, I'm willing to buy the proper polishes / sealants / waxes, etc...whatever it is I need. But laying around the house I do have a Mother's 3 step wax system, if this would help me any? From reading around some other threads in a search I did, it looks like a lot of people reccomended Meguirs Scratch X...

 

The scratches on your car look like light scuff marks which you should easily be able to remove with some light compound/polish and a PC/UDM/rotary using a orange pad.

I would clay the area first to remove any paint transfer first, if any. I've removed similar looking scratches from my dad's car before mostly with a clay bar and then a light polish.

As for your mom's car, you should be able to polish quite a bit of it off from the looks of the pics, but there are a few scratches that look pretty deep so I don't believe those will come out. But some touch-up paint should do the trick to make it less noticeable.

I'm not familiar with Meg's scratch-x so I don't have any answer there.

 

Thanks for the tips AZuser!! I was wondering about claying the area...I think I'll go pick some up today. I had no idea they have a decent selection at Advanced Auto Parts (they're related to Murray's I think, b/c both of them refer you to www.partsamerica.com if you're looking for something they don't have, then you can ship to either store).

Oh, and you're right - they are pretty much scuffs...I can barely see them, my Dad couldn't see them at all. I'm just waiting for some direct sunlight to see if it then looks like it did when the flashlight was shined on it from an angle.

I'll post the daytime pics I just took once I upload them to photobucket...

Thanks,
Steve

 

Ok, here are the daytime pics, virtually unseen. But if you're literally 2 inches away you can see the scuff marks...

 

Not real noticeable but it'll annoy the piss outta ya..

I'd say buy a PC / UDM and that scuff will vanish imo.

 

Hey everyone, thanks for the tips again.

My friend has something similar to a PC / UDM (but he said it's really old)...I'm not sure what it is, he's gonna bring it over next time. I don't have much knowledge about these...definitely need to read up (ALOT) before I try to use this. BUT, what kind of pads should I use...? Are they a universal fit (if it's a certain size diameter)?

Thanks,
Steve

 

I'd suggest trying to figure out what he's got first.

 

Yes, pads come in different sizes to fit the PC/UDM your using.

 

If it is a dual action type buffer, ensure you have a hook & loop (velcro) backing plate that can accept buffing pads, either 5" or 6". Polishing pads are available in different cuts and different diameters. A 6.5 pad is commonly used with a PC/UDM and you would probably need a polishing pad (white) or a light cut pad (orange). Click here for pad description.

See this thread about buffers.

 

Wow, thanks for the advice, and links to the other threads. I've heard people talk about using an 'Orange Pad', etc. and I figured it was specific to a certain application, but I never quite knew. See, I should have started my research and built up my knowledge so I'd be ready to tackle something like this when it happened...but I guess you never plan for something like this to happen (nor do you ever think it will happen to you), ya know?

Thanks again,
Steve

 

Hey everyone,

So, I've finally gotten around to fixing the two cars. I did a quick clay on the TL section, then used this Mothers three step wax. Looks OK, but I can still see it at the right light / angle. My UDM should remove the rest after I get it this week (I'm planning to order one shortly).

Regarding the Honda Pilot. I'm using the Quixx scratch repair kit first to see how it does. I bought some touch up paint at the dealership today. I tried the Quixx #2 tube on the scuff marks only first. I was amazed at the difference a little bit of it made!

So, my new questions is; do I need to put a clear coat layer on top of the touch up paint before wetsanding it? I would think so, because it says not to sand past the clear coat. I'm wetsanding mainly to even it out where I touched it up.

PICS to follow once I complete all of this

 

I got the same kinda hit-n-run brush from some a-hole on my rear bumper too, about the size of a grapefruit

Most of it came out with just meguiars NXT, but with a cutting pad, rotary, and a fine cut compound you should be able to take those things out with ease permanently.

Please keep me posted on your progress and what tools you decide to buy, as I'm where you are right now.

 

A UDM, a few pads and about 3 polishes are a great start! Seriously, if you wan to do things correctly, take the guesswork out and arm yourself with the proper tools and supplies. Its cheap to maintain, but expensive if you let it go.......