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Car Care & Detailing
Get detailing answers and tips here

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Old 02-10-2007, 05:59 PM   #1
Ablanco6789
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where to start?

Ok I don't know if its my luck but where I park now is kinda bad but I don't have a choice.

Some idots don't know how to drive.

My question is its minor scratches and should I just buy a buffer or I know I can fix them but I don't know where to start

Let me know what is the most effective way to make them be gone/.lol

So what to buy

Thanks
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Originally Posted by Penguin Koolaid
... where should we all live then

I mean... we've got plenty of parking in the Midwest and South, we've got a place to put all our trash (New York/New Jersey), and we've got a mental institution to put all our narcissists (California). I guess Florida seems ideal.

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Old 02-10-2007, 11:31 PM   #2
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IMO, most cost-effective way is to look for a professional detailer in your area.
Post here : http://autopia.org/forum/southeast-usa/ or take a look at this link, http://autopia.org/forum/southeast-u...ighlight=miami
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Old 02-11-2007, 02:04 PM   #3
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Fixing scratches is always a tough decision because determining the best method to approach them with depends on how deep each one is and your expectation for the repair work. Your options range from: doing nothing, buffing, touch up paint or repainting entirely. If you want the paint to look flawless again then I think you'd probably have to repaint, but that can be expensive and a little risky. The two other methods that are more common are touch up paint and buffing out the mark. If the scratch is very deep in the clear coat or in to the paint then you may need to do touch up work to replace lost material. Touch up work can make the paint look better if it’s done right. If you'd like a good DIY write up on touch up paint you can check out this link. Unfortunately if you don't take your time and really do a lot of wet sanding then IMO the touch up work can look worse than the original scratch. Another option is using polishes to buff out the scratch. This process can permanently remove light scratches and help reduce the appearance of deeper scratches.

I generally recommend trying the polishes first because it’s a relatively inexpensive method that can seriously improve the paint. Also the polishes are good products to have around to fix any future problems. I recommend you try the Poorboy's World SSR 2.5 and SSR 1.0 or the Menzerna Intensive Polish (IP) and Final Polish II (FPII). Use the medium cutting SSR 2.5 or Menzerna Intensive Polish first to work deep in to the scratch. This will help smooth out the area and remove any paint transfer. Next apply the SSR 1.0 or Final Polish II to remove any haze from the first polish. These fine polishes ensure the surface is very smooth and bright again. Both sets of polishes are great but if you're doing this process by hand I would recommend the Poorboy's World SSR line. If you're using a buffer I've gotten slightly better results with the Menzerna line of polishes. A buffer like the Porter Cable 7424 will give you better results with either set of polishes because its can generate more consistent levels of heat and pressure, which break down polishes. When a polish breaks they become thin and easily worked in to the clear coat for more cutting power and shine. Additionally the buffer has different textured pads that are designed to optimize a polishes performance. For more information on this safe and easy to use process read our How To guide on polishes. With either method it’s great to have these polishes around because you can use these same exact products over all over your paint to remove swirls, fine imperfections, oxidation, sap marks and more.

Let me know if you have any questions about these products or the process of removing swirls. I'd be happy to help you try polishing and other part of the detailing process. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Greg @ Detailed Image
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