Scenarios for the people who know about cleaning cars.

skyscam

Hey guys, i have been thinking i didnt post lately here and thought that this was a good time. i recently began accumulating scratches and bug marks on my car, so i decided to get it washed. after washing i found scratches and a bug that is stuck to my clear bra. so i have a few situations:

1) roof scratches and door scratches. i have two locations of scratches, on the roof there is these heavier scratches into the clearcoat but maybe in the paint. on the side door i have a mark where someone kicked my car. the door isnt so deep, just clearcoat i think.
---What, if any, product can i use to remove these scratches? or can i do anything.

1b) i recently had the hand carwash in town scratch the rear door with some grit that was in the towel they used to dry my car with. i told the manager and he got the scratches to go away with some of what he said was "compund". he put it on a sponge thing and rubbed it in, then he used a microfiber cloth to wipe it off.
---What is this stuff he used?

2) bug on clear bra. i have a venture sheild clear bra that caught a bug, a larger one. i washed my car a few times and it hasent come out. all thats left of it is black marks and im trying to figure how to remove it. i know bug and tar remover exists, but im affraid to use it. and the venture shield people recomend this product called PLEXUS which i have no idea about, but hear it is supposed to be a miracle thing.
---How can i remove this bug?

so i put some photos in the album:
scratches on roof

scratches on doors

bug on venture shield

sorry for the bad quality, but thanks for any solutions you can provide. lazy solutions are preferred, but if work needs to be done, i wanna take care of my baby....... lol Very Happy

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Carbon · Posted: February 26, 2009, 10:19 am Post subject:

I don't really qualify, but I will offer some opinions:

(1b) Possibly White Polishing Compound Paste. http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=6,4,1,3 It could have been something like this: http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,6

(2)I would wet some facial tissue or paper towel, and let the wet blob sit on the bug for an hour or two. Then come back and gently wash the surface. I would like to hope the bug will be loosened up enough to wash off easily.

OCInsomniac · Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:52 am Post subject:

This old article from Autopia says it all in a nutshell...........

Link
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skyscam · Posted: February 26, 2009, 1:39 pm Post subject:

wow, thanks OC! that is quite helpful. unfortunately for me and my lazyness the solutions arent the easiest.... but possible. thanks! Thumbs Up

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SeriousBlack · Posted: February 26, 2009, 2:27 pm Post subject:

that's some nasty looking pics Egad

... get to work! Laughing

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skyscam · Posted: February 27, 2009, 11:39 am Post subject:

Carbon · Posted: February 27, 2009, 11:53 am Post subject:

pricha · Posted: March 1, 2009, 8:01 am Post subject:

He probably used some type of hiding compound. You know like that scratchX junk they sell at many retailers. It sort of fills in the scratch on a temporary basis but it won't last. To do real paint correction you have to level the surrounding paint to the height of the scratch. It can be done by hand but it takes a long long time with aggressive polishes, that's why machines are employed. At least the color you chose hides alot of blemishes. Black would be way worse...

Pat.

kaisan01 · /M Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 31 2007 Black I4 Vanguard

I would guess that he used some sort of cutting agent. Refer this link.

http://www.autogeek.net/3mperllrubco.html

rancidrancid · Posted: March 3, 2009, 4:58 am Post subject:

those scratches need to be buffed out with a machine. You can do it by hand but you'd need a polish quite abrasive such as Meguiar's #95. The most effective way is to polish them out via a rotary polisher. It will quickly and effectively level most if not all of the scratches provided they are not down to the primer or metal.

You can "hide" the scratches but they will show up again after a few washes. If you don't have a polisher, I'd suggest you find a reputable detailer to do the work. Check for references before you commit. There are a lot of shady detailers out there and I'd hate to see someone get ripped off by them. I do detailing on the side and I've seen a lot of horrible work. People are more skeptical about detailers after a bad first time experience.

Typically, with damages like that, I end up just doing the whole vehicle. Pricing will vary depending on your location and the detailer you choose. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them. PM would be the best way but will check this thread as well.