Tried and True scratch fix

[gr8vibe]

Hey all.So i noticed a scratch on the back side, right, on the vibe today. looks like a key scratch, BUT NOT MINE! arrrgh! or a bike or something. So awhile ago i heard/saw on tv this scratch fix that you wipe in and presto! looks like new. Anyone know of such a product? Or can reccommend one? I know theres touch up paint and such, but I want something that someones used and can stake a claim on. Thanks .

[808 Vibes]

I've taken slight surface scratches out before on my other cars with stuff I've bought in the convenience store. "Kit Scratch out" in a yellow bottle. You use it like a wax. Rub in with damp cloth, wait for it to dry and buff out with a dry cloth. Today I saw an ad for another one-3M scratch remover. Never tried that one though.

[mixer]

Scratch out does work well and can also be used on the clear plastic over the gauges, and headlights. There are others that work well to from 3M and The Wax Shop.

[ToolGuy]

Those products on TV work only if the scratch is not deep. The rule is if you can feel the scratch with your fingernail, it is too deep and will need paint. Those products are nothing more then scratch remover i.e. fine polishing compound, found at local auto stores. I use 3M products but the kinds sold on TV are just some brand repackaged and sold in a kit on TV or as seen on TV stores. The products on TV imply they will revmore ANY scratch.

[gr8vibe]

Yeah, I can definetly feel it with my fingernail. Ugh, chalk another hit out on the vibe. after $2300 fender bender, u think id be more vigilant.

[ToolGuy]

I would still try to rub it out to try and diminish it and or put clear coat in it. If when wet it disappears, clear coat has the same effect only does not dry off like water.Or touch it up with one of those bottles that has a ball point pen on the end of it for better control.

[gr8vibe]

How much you think to get it professionaly covered? Worth it much?

[Whelan]

If your fingernail feels it you can still at least clean out the scratch. Meaning you can make it less noticeable. Getting a bottle of Meguiar's Scratch X, comes in a black plastic tube will do wonders with LOTs of elbow grease on a foam applicator pad and micro-fiber to dry. Simply put a small amount on the applicator, and vigorously go in one direction side to side, then up and down, then in circular motion. Do this for a good minute at least. Then wipe clean and reapply as it does more and more. But since it is fingernail depth it will not remove the scratch, nothing will actually ADD paint or clearcoat to the car, unless you do the following.Get yourself some touch up paint, tape off a small box with blue painter's tape around the scratch. Make sure the area is clean (no wax, cleaners, etc.) Do this by wiping with a soapy rag with Dawn dish detergent. DO NOT use a lot of it, just a dab.Next have wet sand paper around with two buckets of water. Get a rag as well, toss it into one of the buckets. Now you can go two ways here. Either really finely grit up the surface gently prior to application, or just apply the touch up.When applying touch up, DO NOT brush, swipe, or glop it on. Simply dab the brush along the scratch a little bit, you dont want huge bumps, but the paint you applied will be raised a bit above the cars surface, this is good. If it starts to run, wipe with a towel and start over, no dripping or running.Let it dry completely on it's own. Once it is dry you can now sand it down. Start with a 1500 or so wet and gently work your way (in small circles, not hard pushing) over the paint. Once done, wipe with the rag in the bucket. Be sure to use the other bucket only for wetting the paper, this helps to avoid getting more grit into the clean bucket. Work your way up past 2000 until all the swirls look very fine. Now you can wipe it with the rag, let it dry and apply the swirl remover/polish.I would recommend Meguiar's #83 (just type that into google) and a machine if you have one, similar to the G100 Meg's polisher. Going over twice to ensure good coverage and cleaning. Then move up to Meg's #80 (again, google it.) One pas on the 80. Be sure to go up and down doing half pass overlays on each stroke, then side to side same way. Repeat that twice then remove immediately, it is not meant to sit and dry.Now get out some wax and repeat the step above with a twice over pattern and let dry completely, remove and your scratch is gone!