Will a Claybar Remove Clearcoat Scratches?
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Will a Claybar Remove Clearcoat Scratches?
The guy that tinted my windows must have leaned on the rear fenders of the car and left some clearcoat scratches. They are very minor and definitely not through to the paint.
I'm not upset about it, they are very small. I just don't have or use a buffer, so any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.
I'm not upset about it, they are very small. I just don't have or use a buffer, so any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I agree, maybe. It's worth a try. If not, try some Meguiar's (or other brands, too) Fine Cut which is in a tan bottle. And be very gently, not that it scratches, but in this case, less is better. You can't replace clear coat or paint without great expense.
#4
a claybar will only remove surface contaminants. It will NOT remove any scratches whatsoever!
To remove light scratches and swirl marks you must use an abrasive compound, like Mgguiers(sp?) Scratch X, or NuFinish Scratch Doctor. I think Zaino also makes a good scratch remover. Using these will thin your clearcoat, so you'll want to use them sparingly. Good luck.
To remove light scratches and swirl marks you must use an abrasive compound, like Mgguiers(sp?) Scratch X, or NuFinish Scratch Doctor. I think Zaino also makes a good scratch remover. Using these will thin your clearcoat, so you'll want to use them sparingly. Good luck.
#5
Le Mans Master
No, as stated above the claybar will not remove scratches. If they are minor then I would ignore them and apply wax. If they really bother you then you will have to remove enough of the clear coat so that they don't bother you any more. That may be minor or major but any removal of clear coat takes the risk of making it worse.
#6
Safety Car
Thread Starter
No, as stated above the claybar will not remove scratches. If they are minor then I would ignore them and apply wax. If they really bother you then you will have to remove enough of the clear coat so that they don't bother you any more. That may be minor or major but any removal of clear coat takes the risk of making it worse.
#7
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2006
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3m
3M makes a finish restorer that comes in a bottle that works great. They have it at Walmart or Auto Parts stores and as stated it is 3M and the same the paint guys use at body shops. I've used it for years with no issues and various cars.
#8
Safety Car
Thread Starter
And this will remove small scratches from the clearcoat?
#9
Team Owner
Do yourself a favor...
3M Finesse-it II
Removes all small scratches. This stuff is like magic. IT was reccommended to me from a guy who restores cars to mint condition. It's about $40 per bottle, but it is worth it.
3M Finesse-it II
Removes all small scratches. This stuff is like magic. IT was reccommended to me from a guy who restores cars to mint condition. It's about $40 per bottle, but it is worth it.
#10
Melting Slicks
The guy that tinted my windows must have leaned on the rear fenders of the car and left some clearcoat scratches. They are very minor and definitely not through to the paint.
I'm not upset about it, they are very small. I just don't have or use a buffer, so any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.
I'm not upset about it, they are very small. I just don't have or use a buffer, so any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.
#11
Safety Car
Ditto. I always have a bottle of that around...Been using it for years. It really is amazing at removing minor flaws and polishing things to a mirror finish.....Most Marine Supply or automotive finishing stores carry it..
#12
Race Director
I've had good results with 3M One Step Cleaner Wax. It doesn't actually remove the scratches but it does a great job of filling them in so you can't see them. The only drawback is that you'll need to repeat the process after washing the car if you want sustained results.
#13
Pro
#15
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Is this stuff a cleaner and a polish, or do I use it and then a polish on top of it?
Do I have to use a buffer, or can I apply it by hand?
Thanks in advance, you guys are great!
Last edited by TulsaVette; 05-02-2007 at 05:08 PM.
#17
Safety Car
Best results I've gotten by hand are with 3M #39002 with terry cloth towel. It's hard work, but you'll get results with it. pics on my web page - click on "buffing" and look at the black mercedes pictures.
#18
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jan 2004
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a claybar will only remove surface contaminants. It will NOT remove any scratches whatsoever!
To remove light scratches and swirl marks you must use an abrasive compound, like Mgguiers(sp?) Scratch X, or NuFinish Scratch Doctor. I think Zaino also makes a good scratch remover. Using these will thin your clearcoat, so you'll want to use them sparingly. Good luck.
To remove light scratches and swirl marks you must use an abrasive compound, like Mgguiers(sp?) Scratch X, or NuFinish Scratch Doctor. I think Zaino also makes a good scratch remover. Using these will thin your clearcoat, so you'll want to use them sparingly. Good luck.
Automotive clay is not a replacement for polish or a compound; it is a pliable, petroleum resin product, Polybutene PB-1 (Polyisobutylene) containing a mild abrasive(s) i.e. kaolin, silica sand, calcium carbonate, alumina, ceramics quartz and also silicon carbide that polishes and exfoliates bonded surface contaminants by shearing, which is then encapsulated by the clay resin. These abrasives are extremely small with an average particle size of 1- µ (micron) dependant on the aggressiveness required, mixed in with a powdered synthetic detergent.
Last edited by TOGWT; 05-03-2007 at 08:35 AM.