Itty Bitty Scratches

[hjwii]

Riddle me this: All over my 2005 Vibe, Neptune in color, I am seeing lots of lil hairline scratches - about .5 to 1.5 inches in length. Any ideas why or where these come from. Now, I have gone thru a carwash a few times; one of those $10 get out the car and hand dry ones. Could that be it?So, how does one fix this? I'm pretty naive - ok, stupid - when it comes to doing anything automotive, and that includes waxing a car, so bare with me...And, while I'm talking about paint, allow me to express my great disappointment in the paint job on the front of my car. I have more pox marks on the front of the car than a teenager with bad acne. And when is GM gonna make a front mask for the 2005 Vibe? *shaking fist inthe air* curse you, GM, and your bad paint!!!!!hjwii

[Kari]

Waxing should take care of hairline scratches in the clearcoat. It's very easy. I had never done it before I had this car either, but I managed to do it without any problems. If you have plastic cladding though, don't wax it. Otherwise, find a shady spot or on a cool day, and go at it. Any kind of carnauba wax in a bottle that says it's safe for clear coats should be fine. I'm sure others will have more advice and brand preferences though.

[ragingfish]

Try a clay bar too...that gets rid of a lot...Realize, though, it's very likely it's the towels you are using...make sure you use towels specifically for vehicles...not bath towels or beach towels...Might try a california water blade too...

[Mase]

To prevent those in the future, try not to go to the carwashes that use the "flailing mops". Those things will scratch your car to bits.During the winter, I drive through the touchless washes. In the summer, I wash my car every week or so with a quality mit. I also use the Mr. Clean Auto-Dry wash so I don't have to rub it with towels to dry it. I've had my car for almost a year and barely have any micro-scratches on it.

[ragingfish]

We don't have touchless washes around here...So I resort to good 'ol fashion sponge and buckt...or Mr. Clean...

[ColonelPanic]

No touchless car washes? I don't know how I could survive! There are three within 5 miles of home with a touchless automatic with the blow dryer, takes credit cards and everything since I never have any cash. For the scratching issue, def. stay away from any non-touchless automatics!

[dennisdrive]

Hi there ; I got a new 2004 salsa pontiac vibe with power package ,sports package and steel exhaust tip just 1 month back .And just 2 weeks back some dork parked very close to the vibe and left 3 minor scratches on the fiber plastic of the right front door .The paint got chipped ;so i went the dealer Foster's Pontiac and asked them abt the touch paint and they ordered for me paint 12346558 code 44U and the guy at the service centre offered to do it for me .He applied a single coat but it didnt at all match infact it is darker so i was wondering if the paint is correct or should i apply more coats and a clear coat too (what code).I hope you could advise & i was also wondering what you use for waxing the exterior and for cleaning the interior .This is the first car i got here in canada ;also i am new here and i am clueless coz when i go to Walmart auto section there are so many different types .Pls help .

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by hjwii »Riddle me this: when is GM gonna make a front mask for the 2005 Vibe? *shaking fist inthe air* curse you, GM, and your bad paint!!!!!hjwiiWon't the bra GM makes for the vibe fit the 05'. sure seems like it would.

[newvibeowner]

I have the same problem. I have a 2005, black Vibe. I found several marks when I was handwashing the car and then more after taking it thru a carwash 2x's. I swear the paint is bad. The dealer is going to do a wet sand and buff on my car. Of course they tried to blame it on the car wash, but I watched it go thru and the only thing touching it were the soft brushes. The scratches are all over the car and it places where I know the brush couldn't hit. Good luck.