Branch scratches

[seth]

I have some very light branch scratches that i got today on my passenger side. any ideas how to get rid of them without a repaint?

 

[Brat]

A buffer and some good wax.

 

[seth]

Should i use wax or polish then wax?

 

[Ronin]

How deep are the scratches? I am NO EXPERT but you might wanna start with a clay bar and then go from there. Everyone has a step-by-step system, from clay bar to spray detailer, so check out your local AutoZone for starters and see what Meguiars, Mothers, etc. has to offer. Best of luck!

 

[Wifey]

Should i use wax or polish then wax?

Neither, just get some cheap stick on graphics for both sides
Then you will fit in with the Back East sticker freak group. :rock: :rock:

 

[Chuck B]

If you can catch your finger nail on them probably out of luck. Otherwise depending on how deep you may need to sand then step through different grits to final polish. If you dont know what you are doing and want to attempt yourself then start with a basic polish and hand buff it. If that doesn't work go with a fine grit polish then basic polish and hand buff. If that doesn't work go with medium grit polish then fine grit polish then basic polish and hand buff. If it takes more than medium polish I'd turn it over to someone more experienced. Factory's have gotten very good at putting down the least amount of clear as possible on modern vehicles. Doesn't take much to cut through the clear and into the color coat and beyond.

Alternative is drop by a body shop or detail shop. They can tell you in 2 min if it will come out and what is needed.

 

[Alberta-SRT]

One time I scratched the hell out of a rental truck getting to remote sites in the Arizona and NM desert and was worried they would charge me for it. I bought a can of Turtle wax buffing compound and it took the scratches out almost perfectly. Try something like that in a small area and see if it will work for you. The rental was Silver which also helps to hide scratches.

 

[rhino75]

like Chuck B said if you can catch it with your finger nail you might be out of luck. If you are gonna try and sand it start with 2000 thousand grit wet sand paper (don't get carried away) then 3M makes a 3000 grit wet sand paper, sand it until it shines up the 2000 grit scratches. you should be able to hand polish it with compound then hit it with some polish then wax. I paint for a living.

 

[ntw0rk]

If you use a compound, make sure it is polishing, or buffing, NOT rubbing compound, and be very careful of it.

If you are using the sandpaper, make sure it stays wet, and you don't need to apply very much pressure at all...

Either option will require a good coat of wax when you finish.

:needpics:

 

[FATJACK]

Try polishing compound first not buffing compound. That should do it.

 

[SlvrSnake]

Try this. Polishing compound. You can also try scratch x, it is essentially the same thing. If the scratches are light like you stated this should easily take care of it without reverting to sanding.

http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,22

 

[Alberta-SRT]

It was polishing compund I used not Buffing compound on that rental.
Not sure why I said Buffing before. Worked real good

 

[TNVIPER]

Above suggestions are all good....next thing is to remember not to take the SRT10 4-wheeling..:dontknow:

 

[NBT]

Well, after cleaning the site well, get your clay bar out, and go over it... this is the least invasive, and may remove the light stuff. Once done, and dried, If you have a dual action buffer/polisher,(Porter Cable 7424 Variable Speed Polisher)and the appropriate pads... here is a pretty straight forward guide to polishing.
http://www.superiorcarcare.net/dual-action-polisher-guide.html

I like to use Optimum Car Polish/scratch remover... http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-compound.html
honestly though, and in a pinch... The Kit brand did equally as good a job, and the finish was actually nicer. I did a side by side comparison on the Ford a few months back. http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs..._ID:2011384&productId=2011384&catalogId=10111

As stated, if it's into the clear to the point you can catch your finger nail... it will remain till more aggressive (wet sanding, high speed polishing, ect.) then polishing takes place

You can use a good scratch/swirl remover and a good foam applicator to remove the scratches by hand... just need to take your time with it, and not muscle it. Better with the polisher.

Good luck... wish you were closer, hope it helps.

 

[Big Asp]

Should i use wax or polish then wax?

I'm not trying to hate on you but the fact that you are asking this question tells me that you should probably should not be attempting this yourself, at least not yet. Take it to a good detail shop. Watch them. Then you'll have more of an idea what to do if there is a "next time."

There is some good advice here if you want to do repair this yourself but first practice on a beater car. You don't want to be learning and experimenting on your truck.

If you do end up sanding out the scratches, be sure to feather it out larger than the actual scratches or you'll have visible flat spots. Don't get carried away sanding. A very light touch with a sanding block. One stroke at a time then look closely before continuing. Patience will make all the difference.

 

[seth]

My problem is, the area that I just moved to (western loudoun county, va) there aren't any top shelf detailing places. I bought all of the stuff (including porter cable) last year to detail, just never did.