One of my friends has a 2002 Cougar and while she was parked in her school parking lot someone hit her car (hit and run). I took some pictures of the damage...there are alot of little scratches. They don't feel to deep...definately not through the paint...maybe some are through the clearcoat. You can just about feel them when you run your fingertips over them. Here are some pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/76835261BRluIb

What is the best way to go about removing these? I was thinking rubbing compound followed by swirl mark remover. They don't seem deep enough for touch up paint. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also..if I used the rubbing compound should I use a buffer? I have a cheap orbital sears buffer with a wool bonnet on now. How would I go about using the buffer? Just apply the compound by cloth to the scratches, letting it haze then putting the buffer to it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!



Mark

 

It is hard to tell from the photos but it looks like dark paint rubbed off from another vehicle. If this is the case, use some polishing compound first on a cotton rag, and wipe along the length of the mark. If it is paint, this usually works for me. If this does'nt do It , go to rubbing compound, but be careful as this contains harsher abrasives. I have not used power buffers, because they require a light hand as not to rub through the finish. I hope this helps in some way!

 

I'm pretty sure that I can take the paint from the other vehicle off....i've done that before. I'm more concerned with the numerous scratches below that. Thanks for you post!

 

MikeLS do you any advice with this one? I've never known anyone to have as much knowledge about car detailing as you

 

Woops sorry 'bout the late reply.....


Anyhow, you are on the right track. I think the best you can do without it needing touchup paint, repainting, or repair is to try a compound and follow it with a swirl remover. There are generally 3 "cuts" of compoundis though, fine, medium, and heavy cut. Without seeing, feeling, and inspecting the damage in person, I can't say for sure which I'd use first. However, I'd probably start with lightest compound, 3M Fine Cut Compound, since it can be used by hand or buffer. Most other compounds really need to be used with a buffer to break the abrasives down, but in a pinch you can use them by hand too. A buffer should give you getter results and it would be easier too.

Here's a page I like to use as reference for compounds to give people an idea of the selection out there....http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/sub...gory=Compounds Most of the Meguiar's and 3M products can be found locally at NAPA or other parts stores.

Both 3M and Meguiar's have similar compounding systems, and I've used both for different situations. If a fine cut isn't giving you the desired results, you will need to step up to the medium or heavy cut. Just to give you an idea, the Meguiar's heavy cut is like liquid sandpaper in a bottle though and can really remove defects and paint quickly. You must follow any compound with a swirl remover, because nearly all compounds will leave marring, it's just the nature of the beast. If the compounding doesn't do the trick, it will likely need more serious repair.

HTH!

Maybe Carl can offer you even more advice, since he owned some detail shops.

 

What is the best way to use my buffer? Do I apply the compound directly to the damaged area or do I apply it to the buffer? If I apply is to the paint first do I let it haze or do I start buffing it while its still wet?

 

Apply the compound directly to the buffing pad. Usually a small bead of product around the edge of the pad works fine to distribute it evenly.

You want to keep buffing the compound until it almost disappears from the surface. Compounds do no need to haze or set up like a wax, you should immediately wipe it clean after thoroughly polishing it into the surface. You can repeat as much as you feel comfortable with.

Here's a little article about compounding with a few general tips....http://www.moderncarcare.com/Articles/081deta2.html

 

Thanks guys....I have the 3M fine cut rubbing compound, i'm going to try that first and see if it does the job. Then i'll probably finish with the SMR and alot of wax to fill in all the minor inperfections that were left.