So this post is probably going to be a little vague because I can't take a picture of the scratches, they won't show up on a camera but they are definitely there. Long story short I had a little **** of a dog decide it wanted to claw at my passenger door on the weekend and there's now marks of course in the clearcoat. I had waxed it (with Turbo Wax) on Friday night and thankfully I did because I think it took the first few blows before he reached my clear, I hope he licks it off his paws and chokes on it little ***** .

In any case all I can really do is describe the scratches from this perspective. With the car (black) perfectly clean and the sun beaming on the door they do NOT show in the direct sunlight, they almost resemble swirls in a few spots and completely disappear in others. When in the shade (or my garage) you can see them when coming in close to the paint and they don't appear to be deep, my best guess is they are on the surface of the clear and the effect is being increased as a result of him stripping the wax that was there.

In any case, my dealer took a look and said no more than 1 hour labour to remove it ($60) and they're assuming they should buff out without issue. I'm on the verge of picking up my Porter Cable earlier than planned since I could put the $60 towards the buffer (which I was intending to buy next spring) as opposed to giving someone the $60 then turning around in the spring and spending the money again.

Anyone have experience removing scratches with these properties before (disappear in the sun, show in the shade); any words of wisdom when it comes to removal if I do buy the buffer? I'm planning on starting with the Turbo Wax Swirl Remover and a white pad (I think orange may be a bit harsh) and go from there; I'd prefer to avoid a harsh compound my first time around but looking more for some "gotchas" before I head down this path.

Sorry for the long winded post but this is my paint I'm messing with here .

 

If youre getting a porter cable, you might as well order one now. From the sounds of it, a heavy compound will be needed. Does your fingernail catch on the scratch by chance?

 

My fingernail will only catch a couple of them. Out of desperation last night (the way I baby my car's appearance this is like a slap in the face !) I inspected the surface heavily and rinsed it down. I took Scratch Doctor of all things to it to see if it would at least round the edges of the "scratches" and after beating the hell out of some of them for 10 minutes they have faded to almost those miniscule scratches you end up with from everyday driving and now more resemble swirls than anything?

In any case I think you're right, may as well get the buffer now, let the car go through the winter in its current state (no point in correcting now) and go at 'er come Spring which I was planning to do anyways. In any case, these are the strangest "scratches" I have ever dealt with, perhaps the dog had well groomed claws you've got me on this one

 

Its a good time because alot of the popular detailing sites are running specials on the new 7424XP ( autogeek and properautocare are selling it as a combo with backing plate and 3 or 6 pads . Also I would do the car the car before winter . Appearence aside , getting your paint in nice healthy condition will make winter washing MUCH easier on u and your paint . It will reduce the risk of adding further maring damage bacause the abrasive road salts , dirt ect ect wont be as bonded to the paint . Maybe not concentrate so much on removing all the swirls and getting the paint "looking" perfect until spring , in meantime focus on just getting the paint healthy and smooth as glass via clay followed by some mild compounding on a orange pad via the pc , and good sealent to protect it thu winter .

...btw , I would not be afraid of a orange pad . Its a fairly mild pad . I actuallly have been sealent ready on a few cars after compunding alone with an orange pad with a rotary . Your porter cable will cut down alot of chances for mistakes u can make with a rotary . I think you may be a little underwhelmed using the white pad alone , its not really meant for removing defects . A white pad is mainly good for removing any residule effects from the compunding process . I would recommend orange with a quality compound followed by the white with a quality polish , followed by sealent or wax , applied via red or gold sealent pad( these pads are ver soft and have no cutting action at all , their just meant for applying sealent ) or by hand via foam or microfiber applicator .

 

Thanks a lot for the write-up, very much appreciated . I had pretty much accepted the fact I'd be confined to my garage either this upcoming weekend or next to re-do what I had already done before the 'incident' with the dog; a few more hours with a buffer in my hand shouldn't kill me .

 

Have you tried anything like this? I have some for sale if you would be interested.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...ageID=12610229

 

I haven't tried anything from Voodoo but when rubbing the hell out of it with Scratch Doctor the major portions blended and I'm now left with basically what resemble swirls more than anything. With winter coming I'm just going to give it a full clay bar/wax and let it go; I was already planning on an overhaul come spring and for 6 or so months it'll be so dirty I won't be able to tell the difference .

 

Well, if wanted to try it it's pretty inexpensive so you wouldn't be out much. It's supposed to remove swirl marks. Just pm me if you're interested.

Oh and btw...I HATE other peoples' animals. This old couple in my complex just lets their cat roam around: I saw paw prints on my windshield one morning and FREAKED!

 

goto http://www.eshine.ca there down the street from u (well sorta) i buy all my products there. Try a little Menzerna Polish PO85RD on a black polishing pad or a light cutting pad with a porter cable. Polish it till its completely clear, check results. for more info:
http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/...tyle-3493.html

 

Completely missed this post, thanks dude . I looked at the PC kit on e-shine, price is right and shipping is free; I just haven't gotten around to ordering it yet.