scratches

[johno43]

what is the best product for removing minor scratches from my paintwork and does any polish work better than others in the past I have always used auto glym

[Bobby Dazzler]

Does the scratch catch your finger nail if you pull your finger nail across it?

Unless it's a very fine scratch, then you might be better asking a bodyshop to go over it with an electric mop (think spinny disk which goes much faster than your hand). They can also be braver with the strength of the cutting compound.

[Simon_M]

Pic?

[tacfoley]

'Chips Away' are your best friend.

Look 'em up in YPs.

tac

[fatdazza]

Originally Posted by johno43

what is the best product for removing minor scratches from my paintwork and does any polish work better than others in the past I have always used auto glym

Merc paint is very hard, so trying to polish by hand, while not impossible, is a time consuming task.

So, your options are

a) machine polishing
b) hand polishing (with the added bonus of arm ache)
c) Using a product with fillers, which will mask the scratches. These include using a glaze (such as Poorboys black hole or white diamond), or something such as autoglym SRP (which has limited cut as a polish, but plenty of fillers)

Let us know how you get on

[Chrishazle]

The bodyshops I've visited seem to prefer 3M paint renovation stuff, which can go to 3000 grit equivalent. I've had good results with AG Bodyshop 02B (2000 grit) or 03B (1200 grit) followed by 01B hard polish. I do not like AG super resin polish as it has chalk filler to hide small scratches but leaves white residue in all nooks and crevices, so I use 01B then AG high definition wax over that.

If you try 02B use a damp microfibre cloth or pad and a water spray to keep the area damp, go carefully (stay away from edges unless masked off) and check frequently.

[johno43]

will post pictures as soon as I can. The scratches are not deep and difficult to feel but in the right light you can see them

[Chrishazle]

Originally Posted by johno43

The scratches are not deep and difficult to feel but in the right light you can see them

In which case the chances are they will polish out with a "light" paint renovator like 02B and a modicum of elbow grease.

If you're really keen, I would suggest you wash, clay then rewash the car before paint correcting - Bilt Hamber normal clay is about £10, and 1/4 of the bar will do the entire car (glass first, then bodywork, then wheels, then bin that piece of clay. If you drop your clay on the ground, bin it!!) - and you use water as the lubricant. Well worth doing 1-2 times a year, you'll be amazed at the crap clay removes from an apparently clean car!

Beware though - you're starting on the slippery slope of car detailing, it can get addictive and expensive (he says from experience!!). First it's "what polish is best", then "what wax" (I know someone who swears by Swissvax Best In Show at £165 for 50ml!!), then it's the DA polisher, snow foam lance (and pressure washer if you don't already have one), 2 buckets with grit guards, merino mitt, microfibre mitt and cloths, rim wax for the alloys - keeps herself in Xmas and birthday present ideas for a good long while!!

[MB-BTurbo]

Whats 02B and is it safe for use by hand? Do the particles break down sufficiently and will it have a good effect on Mercedes paint?

[Chrishazle]

Originally Posted by MB-BTurbo

Whats 02B and is it safe for use by hand? Do the particles break down sufficiently and will it have a good effect on Mercedes paint?

Autoglym Bodyshop 02B paint renovation fluid, 2000 grit equivalent so quite fine. OK to apply by hand with a microfibre cloth or pad, goes dry quite quickly so it helps to have a spray bottle of water to hand. Did my silver S203 with it (mainly with a Kestrel DAS6 DA polisher, but some small areas by hand) and it was fine. Be very careful near edges and on small areas like A pillars alongside the windscreen - I accidentally went through the paint on my 968 coupe on the A pillar, luckily not through the galvanising so a bit of touch up paint hid my mistake! Always remember you're using an abrasive, so start gently and check frequently.