I've been noticing more and more fine scratches on my truck. I've been thinking about using one of theose colored waxes that hide or fill in the scratches. A friend of mine said those types of waxes harm the finish. Anyone have experience with these, or have an opinion. Thanks in advance.

Gene

 

I need some assistance on this matter as well. I stupidly backed my truck into some high-tension metal cables serving as barriers in my condo's parking deck. Scratches are barely noticeable, but they are there and they seem to go right down to the sheetmetal. Grr... I need to move out and get a real house with a real garage...

 

I need some assistance on this matter as well. I stupidly backed my truck into some high-tension metal cables serving as barriers in my condo's parking deck. Scratches are barely noticeable, but they are there and they seem to go right down to the sheetmetal. Grr... I need to move out and get a real house with a real garage...

 

I have had excellent success with Meguiar's Swirl Remover. It is best apllied with an oribital buffer. I had some bad swirls from the factory and was able to get them out with the Meguiar's. Make sure to use your favorite wax after your done with the Swirl Remover.

 

gearhead, will this work for scratches too. And I already bought the other stuff it's made by Turtle Wax with the crayon thingie (forget it's name). So, I would still like to know about it. Otherwise, I'll just get the Meguiar's. Thanks.

Gene

 

In response to your questions regarding scratches I suggest that you look into using Zaino Show Car Polish. You will need to use the Z-5 Swirl and scratch remover. This stuff really works and is safe for clear coat paints. This product contains no wax or silicone and is hand applied. The problem with products that require a buffer is that you can cause more scratches as a result of improper buffing techniques. One reason why you are starting to see so many fine scratches is because you are using the wrong type of cloth on your truck. If you are using those so called 100% cotton towels in a bag from Pep Boys, you are scratching your truck. These towels are made in Bangladesh or Pakistan and are not 100% cotton by any means. They contain synthetic fibers that cause swirl and scratches on your truck. The reason they can call them 100% cotton is that the agencies that regulate such claims allow the company that makes them to claim this when really they are not 100%. If you are in doubt about if a towel is 100% cotton try doing a burn test. Take a corner of the towel and with a lighter or match place it close enough to the towel to burn the fibers. You should see the fibers char and burn. If they curl you have plastic/synthetics in the towel and this is what scratches the truck's finish. I do not care what brand of wax or polish that you use, but if you use the wrong towels to remove the product from your truck's finish you are putting scratches in the paint. If you require more info let me know. I have been detailing for over 10 years and have found Zaino products do what they claim to do with the least amount of effort.

http://www.checkeredflagdetailing.com

2000 Harley Truck Owner

 

Like Badgene I also bought the Turtle Wax crayon thingie but so far haven't tried it out--still in the bottle after 3 months--chicken or lazy? I've accumulated fine scratches as well: leaning over the fender to get stuff out of the bed, hood scratches from snow and ice over the winter, and others that I have no idea got there but tend to show up on the next washing--black paint! Meguires Gold covered most of them on application but further washings bring them back again. Would never use an orbital after seeing the result on my nephews black Z24. Will try the crayon thing on one fender but every paint reacts differently with different waxes. Willing to try the Zaino but it's not everywhere. What's working on your paint?

Casey K

 

I just applied Zaino to the hood only to see if I could get the spots out of the paint. I cannot identify what the spots are. Maybe they are tree sap, or maybe some sort of water/pollution spots, not sure.

I first used the clay bar to remove contaminants, which seems to work well. I had this gritty feeling when drying the truck after washing. All those were removed by the claybar. I then used two coats of Z5 to remove swirl and spots from the previous owner. Z5 does not faze it. I can tell there is a better shine, but the spots are still there. It doesn't look like they were diminished in the least bit.

I also don't like using the cotton towels. I specifically bought 100% Canon towels for this project, but they produce a ton of lint. Has anyone ever used the high quality microfiber towels for this purpose? Was wondering what your opinion may be about them.

RickC

 

MRChrome,

Where is a place to get the good towels to use on our trucks. I have recently bought a bunch of those microfiber towels and they seem to work really well. I have a black Screw and just now seeing some fine swirls, etc. Thanks

 

First, it is amazing this thread was brought back from the dead. I don't post much anymore (obviously...) still lurk at times. I still use Meguiar's Swirl remover every few months - the stuff works. I rarely use towels to dry the truck. I use the Absorber - a type of synthetic chamois. I find it will not promote swirls in the paint - my truck sits outside all the time - and I dry off the dew every morning with it as well as my nearly daily truck wash. Holds up and if gets dirty I just throw it in the wash with the towels that I do use on the wheels/ tires/undercarriage stuff that tends to leave left over "grime" on the towels that I don't want to get on the Absorber.

 

The place I found is www.properautocare.com/index.html

 

Well...I don't know what this crap is in my hood, but it will NOT come out. I have 5 coats of Z5 and notta, still there. So I tried some rubbing alcohol lightly, but no go. So I got out my old trusty buffer and rubbing compound. And believe it or not, it did NOT take it out. I am not going to go the rubbing compound because I am afraid it will take it to the paint or worse. I probably shouldn't worry about it much anyway because my hood has the paint problem that is known about on these things. But I wish I could get out whatever it is. Heck, at this point, I would be satisfied to know what it is.

It's stuck.

 

meguiars scratchx is great for removing fine swirls or scratches! zaino isn't abrasive, so i doubt it'll take off any waterspots or sap

 

For wax, Zaino is no doubt the best.

For towels, I purchased some from jt international. He has micro fiber for waxing and what they call a waffleweave foro drying. I tried both. They are the best ever. The waffleweave for drying is unbeleivable, absorbs all water and leaves no lint. The micro fiber is great for waxing and cleaning windows. If you want his price list and email, just email me and I can give it to you. All color and sizes too.
mrichmon@elevatorcomponentsusa.com
(Ketchnu)

 

o yeah, i thought i forgot to include something in my message.

i was gonna say i use a cali water blade for drying most of the truck (just be sure to wipe the blade after EVERY pass to make sure no dirt gets dragged across teh truck) and the absorber for any spots i couldnt get or missed. works awsome. i can dry my whole truck in under 10 minutes.

For removing the zaino polish (not wax sorry couldn't resist ketchnu LoL) i use 100% cotton made in the usa brand name towells. Yeah they leave a little lint, but i just go over the truck when im' done with the cali car duster and i'm done. that thing is great also for dusting the truck a few times a day and it stays alot cleaner longer.