Hey guys, new to the forum! I bought an '06 G35 last year fully knowing it had about a 2 ft scratch along the pass. rear panel near the gas door to the rear pass. door. It looks like a razor blade scratch. I was able to get $1500 add'l off the price plus $3500 off the asking price so I couldn't resist. Anyway, what would you guys suggest besides the body shop?? Is there any store bought stuff out there worth a try?
Thanks guys!
-dave

 

Try meguiars scratch X... it does wonders. after that follow up with a good polish

 

A PC polisher with some good cutting polish might do the trick.

 

When you run your finger nail over the scratch does it catch? If so it MIGHT be too deep to correct on your own. Scratch X is poop, stay away from it. I'd try Monzerna Super Intensive polish on a orange pad with pc or udm. Then follow up with Monzerna 106ff on a white pad maybe. If that doesn't work you'll need to step up to something more aggressive. If that doesn't work you should get someone that knows how to wet send and then polish it again. Just some options. Either way it's not something you're going to be able to correct by had.

 

I am an automotive detailer. If the scratch is bad I would recommend finding a local detailer on Craigslist. But I can offer some advice as to what I would do.

If the scratch is deep enough to feel with your nail or it you can see the primer underneath it will be difficult to remove.

I would say for any deep scratches that you can see from a few feet away you would need a random orbital buffer to adequately remove the scratch.

You can try it by hand but be prepared to put in some real work. Scratch X is mainly for removing swirl marks and light scratches. But you can try it. It is really the only product you can used by hand.

THIS IS WHAT I WOULD TRY if you don't have a buffer.

1. Tape off a 2" to 3" section around the scratch with green or blue painters tape made by 3M you can buy it a home depot or lowes in the paint department. Don't use duct tape or other tape it could peel up your paint or leave a sticky residue.

2. Using a spray bottle add a few drops of Car wash soap this will make the wetsanding more effective and smooth. Mist your taped offed section.

3. Get some 2500 grit wet sandpaper or 2000 grit soak the sandpaper in a cup of water for 10 minutes.

4. Lightly sand the 2" area trying to only work the area with the scratch.

5. Using scratchX or 3M finishing compound try and polish out the dullness the wetsanding process put in, you will need to work each 2" area for about 3o minutes its not easy to do without a buffer but it can be done. http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/e...er/output_html

6. If you are able to polish out the fine scratches put in by the wetsanding then it will be worth doing the rest of the scratch.

LOOK UP WETSANDING 101 on google or youtube to get a better idea of the process.

IF YOU HAVE A BUFFER
Go to a local auto parts store such as kragen or pep boys and look for a the following product. I would say speed glaze with work the best but you need a buffer to use this product.

Speed glaze http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-cleaner...hs/Speed-Glaze

A body shop with decide if the scratch is through the clear coat and if it is not is is fixable if the scratch is through the clear coat and into your base coat or color coat or into the primer coat repainting is the only option.

If the scratch is only in the clear coat level of your paint it can be sanded with 1500 or 2000 or 2500 grit wet sandpaper and polished out with the above product.

Feel free to ask any other questions.

 

Thanks guys for the suggestion. I'm gonna give it a go this weekend and see how it goes. To be honest, if I can't completely take care of it I will not be totally heartbroken--I feel it adds "character"!
-dave

 

I would honestly be shocked if someone could buff out wet sanding haze by hand, just not realistic. A PC can have a hard time removing wet sanding marks. Unless you're experienced with wet sanding, don't even attempt it. My 2 cents.

 

Easy. Just use a glaze lol