it was raining the other day and i got a real faint scratch on the rear driver door on my screw, from a tip of a key, the paint ain't chipped though. i can see white underneath the paint, it's not major but can i fix it somehow with painting? i just pisses me off seeing it?

also i haven't waxed my truck since i bought it, august of 07 and it's overdue. what is the best claybar system to use? i have been reading the threads and i'm so lost. i don't trust myself with buffers, i seen way too many idiots wreck there truck and i don't wanna be one

 

Can you feel it with your fingernail?

Any chance you have a digital camera with a macro mode? Take some pictures so we can tell you what your options are.

 

I use meguiars however u spell it, it works pretty good, im like u, i dont trust myself with a buffer lol

 

as lumadar hinted, if you can feel the scratch on your fingernail, it cannot be machined out. if you can't feel the scratch, it *can* be worked out.

 

ok i went outside and you can't feel it, i tried to get a pic, but i suck at using my new camera.

so i am not a super detailer or nothing, i just wanna nice shine. wash with a good soap and clay bar it and call it a done, or no?

 

Okay, if you want to do it by hand with stuff you can buy at Walmart or Autozone, etc., here's what I'd recommend:

Meguiars Gold Class or NXT soap
Meguiars, Mothers, or Clay Magic clay kit with lube
Meguiars ScratchX 2.0
Meguiars ColorX or Deep Crystal Step 1 Cleaner
Meguiars NXT 2.0 wax

Lambswool wash mitt
Microfiber drying towel
At least a dozen small general purpose microfiber towels, don't get el cheapos
Microfiber applicators for the ScratchX and cleaner (NXT comes with a foam applicator)
A cheap wash mitt for the wheels and tires

 

glc do you think he should try Scratch X 2.0, if that doesn't work all the way, go to Ultimate Compound (which works pretty darn well for getting out scratches by hand), then follow that up with Scratch X to take away any micro marring?

Just my opinion.

 

Do you think Ultimate Compound is safe in the hands of an amateur?

Least aggressive first.

 

do i really need to use the scratchx and cleaner? the truck has never been waxed yet. i just don't wanna wreck my paint. if i just wash, clay, wax. will that give me a nice shine? or does he mean just use the scratchx on that tiny spot? the truck is spotless, no damage anywhere else. thanks for your input ATOM

 

Yeah I get what you mean, but I did suggest scratch x first then if that doesn't work, then use UC.


If you use scratch x, it will not wreck your paint. Clay will not fix the scratch and wax can only fill it somewhat, but will not fix it. You need to use something with correcting abilities to remove the scratch.

 

so i should i just use the scratchx on the scratch i take it?

 

Yep Do what glc recommended. Make sure to go buy Scratch-x 2.0, it works much better than the original

 

Use ScratchX on scratches. Use the cleaner prior to the wax to properly prepare the surface for the wax. Have you read the detailing sticky yet? You need to. You may THINK your paint is spotless, but I'd bet it's far from it.

 

Take a black crayon and rub over the scratch. Take a cloth with hot water, damp only, rub over the area until the wax is flush and acceptable to the eye. Apply car wax over the area and you are done. FYI- you will have to redo the fix every year or so but it should be almost invisable.

 

Isn't that what the Turtle Wax Scratch Kit sold at Autozone is?