I understand your discouraged feeling but, trust me, it can be corrected to a certain extent...

Scratch-X... first, tell me how you're planning on using this product? Are you just going after an 'individual' scratch or trying to correct a larger area? Either is a possiblity but, Scratch-X (SX) is more of a 'spot treatment' to remedy surficial scratches and such. From my experience with the product, it's not exactly easy to use on black because of the buffered abrasives that are involved with the product.

Also, what shops (AutoZone, Pep etc) are in your area? I'm thinking of this from more of a standpoint to point you towards products that may help you.

RP

 

Thanks Rock, here is the whole breakdown.

Stepping back and looking at what is already done.

Primary - The entire truck is covered in light "smudge" marks which look like small dull rub marks from a dirty pad and/or possibly some from the dealer that went unnoticed on that cloudy Feb day of pickup. With the dull smudge marks there is your typical light scratches (from 4wheeling - not too worried about them) and of course spider web like scratches all over the clear coat.
In the sun, the truck looks terrible, no smooth lines because of all these marks and rub spots, etc.

I have attempted to tackle this before using scratch X on a small area, applying it with a terry towel, but more little rub marks appeared so I stopped.
Last week I tried to use ColorX on the whole truck, which seems to have cleaned it up a bit, but didnt get rid of much.
Typically I have been using a cleaner wax and then NXT to mask what I can but its still visible in a good sunny day. From afar the truck looks hot, but once that sun bounces off the paint you see the marks very easily.

My arsenal of products for paint include: NXT, #26, Show Glaze, Meguiars Phase 1,2,3, Mothers Cleaner Carnuba, Mothers Clay Kit, Gold Class, ScratchX, ColorX.

For applicators I have been using AdvanceAuto foam applicator which has a soft terry like covering on it.
I have been using AdvanceAuto microfiber towel packs as well (come in a pack of three (green, yellow, blue)
To wash the truck I have been using a mit that is a very soft like hair on the outside and a big sponge on the tires, tonneau, etc.
To dry it off I have standard terry bath towels, but I also have one of those Absorbers (never used it on the truck since I heard it isnt as good as towels?)

Heres the real fun part. I have to go to a friends to wash the truck since I am in an apartment complex, then detail it when I get home. I have limited places to get supplies except Advanced Auto and Target. And I do everything by hand since I dont want to buy a PC or damage things worse.
I can dedicate a day to doing this right but I dont want to make it worse. Should I wait until I can swing the $250 and still possibly end up with swirls from a bad detailing job, or can I do this myself?

If you recommend products, how do I apply them? I have heard ColorX isnt abrasive so light rubbing and then letting it sit works best. Then I heard others you need to really rub in. Circular motion? Side to side? WTF? lol

 

Eddy...

There's no simple and quick answer to your problem so, if possible, hang out for a day or so. I'll try to put something together for you that can probably help remedy your problem.

 

Thanks I would appreciate that. Tonight I will do the interior and try to get that scratch out of the windshield.

 

Hey Eddy...

Any chance of snapping a few pictures to really determine what we're going after here? Black is a booger of a color (as both of us know). You can look at it cross-eyed and cause swirls and thus, going after your problems could, potentially, be tricky.

There are a few 'catch all' types of products out there on the market that can help you achieve results but, may fall short of really bringing it back up to the bar.

Let me know...

RP

 

I didnt get out of work till late yesterday so I couldnt snap any. Today is overcast but I will see if I can get some, who knows maybe the sun will come out. I contacted the detail shop again today and told them I dont need the interior done (it looks brand new the way I keep it), just the body, engine, tires and wheels. They re-quoted me at $150-$200 so I am going to bring it by sometime and ask them to give me their opinion as well.
Rock I will get your those pics asap. All the tips you can give me man.
By the way, want to meet me half way for a detail job. I am sure I can get at least 3-5 of us lined up for a weekend job for you. lol

 

Well Rockpick, I just got back from an appointment with the detailer. He said he could surly get all the swirling and light scratching out no problem, the windshield scratch should come off too.
The downside is he said its a full day job to do the exterior of the truck and it will cost $250 for the exterior and an additional $150 for the ding in the tailgate. I asked about experience and he said 9 years. He seemed pretty knowledgeable and was positive the swirl marks and light scratches could be cleaned up no problem. He said he doesnt use meguiars but uses a commercial line not available to the public.
Anyway, he wanted to detail the inside too for an additional $100 till I opened the door and he started laughing saying it looks like it just left the showroom.

So what do you think. I know you probably have to see the pics first, but $250? Is it worth it for me to attempt it again. I will try and get you some pics asap.

 

Thats a tough call. If he really can remove it-and not make it worse- it might be worth the peace of mind for him to do it.

However, I just finished going through something similar to your situation by applying some Meguiars *9 and Mothers FX by hand. So far it seems to look great, and that, too is something you might want to try before taking it to a "professional."

 

Even if I went out and bought a DAPC and all the products and accessories it would be around $250 and I could do it any time I needed to. I just want the problem resolved. I also am concerned that I buy the PC and just make things worse. How hard is it to use the PC?

 

I did everything by hand and the cost for the #9 and FX was $24.

 

I dont think doing it by hand is going to cut it though.

 

...and the PC might not cut it depending on severity. It, almost certainly, will help it but, correction of the problem may require a rotary buffer.

Don't be scared of the PC... it's a SUPER-SIMPLE tool that is, pending the operator uses common sense with a few , VERY user friendly.

RP

 

For what it's worth, I have used a product called Liquid Ebony when I had a black 1985 Thunderbird with overspray and swirls all over, and it removed all the overspray and all the swirls. I mean.......I was like...."Holy Crap!" This stuff is great! All the swirls went away. And that was looking at it in direct sunlight from all angles because I couldn't believe all the swirls were gone, but they were.
The stuff works great but I don't know if it's still available. I got mine at an automotive paint supply outlet.
There's probably other products out there now that are equal, but I know Liquid Ebony works.