ok guys, i finally got some time to detail the truck. im using the Maguires deep crystal 3 step process. where does Scratch X fit into this process?? should i do it before the cleaner wax? or after the cleaner wax before the polish?? should it go on before the Claying?

 

I would use ScratchX after clay to remove isolated scratches. To do your whole vehicle with ScratchX would be very tiring.

Kevin

 

The THREE step process is:

1. Cleaner
2. Polish
3. Wax

Not sure where you're fitting in the Cleaner Wax but, if you're insistant upon using it, you may not need to do the other steps as a cleaner wax is often thought of as a 'one step' product.

I will warn you that it will likely not remove all swirls and scratches etc as the cleaners in the product are mild at best.

Now... if you're thinking about using CLEANER WAX as the #3 step, you might be barking up a tree with the Polish as the cleaner portion of the wax (cleaner wax) will likely remove most all of the polish.

Make any sense or am I muddying up the waters?

As for Scratch-X (if you use a traditional 3-step), it'll go in AFTER the cleaner has been used once or twice to remove 'stubborn' problems that the step 1 can't get.

Remember, S-X is a spot 'cleaner'... while you could use it across the vehicle, it's not recommended.

-RP-

 

Youll want to use the scratch x before the cleaner wax. Using scratch X is worthless IMO though. You most likely have harsh swirls that cant be removed by hand. Id spot with Scratch X, then use something with fillers to try and hide the swirls until you get a machine.

 

Having high speed buffed 100's of cars and/or their parts magic in a bottle probably isn't going to remove squat. Chances are good it smells like petroleum because petroleum is the fastest way to make a dull finish shine. The only problem is when the sun heats the panels to around 120 the petroleum product 'flashes off' or basically evaporates,

Washing the truck gently by hand with Dawn or another grease cutting dish soap will tell you real fast whether you filled or actually removed a scratch or swirl.

Another way to tell if you filled instead of removed is get a little mineral spirits based wax and grease remover and a clean microfiber cloth. Wet the cloth and wipe in straight lines since whatevever you just applied was probably in a circular motion. Once the panel dries if you see swirls or scratches you were just had by a company and its marketing dept that was smarter than you. No offense.

 

While there are tons of snake oil products on the market.. ScratchX is not one of them. As RP and others have mentioned .. it is intended for use on spot problems.. small areas with specific scratches that need to be removed.



There is a difference between the paint cleaner in step one of the three step process, and the ccleaner wax.

 

I used ScratchX after clay to remove isolated scratches like on the Ford fenders and selected parts like bumpers but doing them on the whole vehicle would be painstaking.