FrankReynoldsCPA

So my car has some scratches/abrasions on both sides on the front bumper that look like this:
Kind of hard to see them, but they're there. Almost like somebody took sandpaper or a scotchbrite pad to it. Sometimes you can't notice it, but sometimes it sticks out like a sore thumb.




Is there anyway to get them out without having to have the clear coat redone?

Jetfire

iTrader: (3)

Looks like maybe someone wet sanded it but didn't polish the paint after.

you can always try to get it polished out. Find someone that has a polisher or pick one up for yourself and learn how to.

GoFastTSI

iTrader: (1)

Those should be easily compounded out by a detailer. Post in the detailing section and I am sure you can find someone local who can assist you.

mmarshall

if the scratches aren't too deep into the paint, and are confined to the surface clear coat, this inexpensive product ($4-6, on average) might take care of it. I've had very good results with it.

Marklouis

Can you feel the scratches? it almost looks like wax compound that was not wiped away properly and got sun-baked into the top coat, because I can see it on the blinker lens also - either way they will come out no problem. A pro detailer might have to use 2k to 3k grit wetsand method then cut, buff and polish if the standard cutting compound doesnt work. About 30 minutes to an hour worth of labor on each side.

FrankReynoldsCPA

Do you need a buffer for that or just a microfiber cloth? Our orbital buffer got swiped a few years back.

Whitigir

I am against the idea of using the buffer. Unless you are doing commercial services, such as detailer. Otherwise, do it by hand.

mmarshall

No. It is very simple. Do it by hand. It comes in the bottle just like wax, but of course, is not wax....although it leaves a smooth, highly-polished surface. Just wet/clean the affected area down, dry it, shake the bottle a little, pour a small amount out onto a soft rag just like you would do with liquid wax, and rub it into the affected area. If the scratches are not too deep into the clear coat or colored-paint, your hand-rub will buff them out (it has a very light-grade abrasive that doesn't scratch), leaving a moist or dry haze over the area. Then just wipe off the haze, and see if that did the trick or if another rub is needed.....sometimes you will have to rub hard or do it more than once. It also (usually) works with insect or bird-dropping stains (if they haven't sat for too long and blotched the paint deeply), paint-color markings from careless people who bang their car doors into yours in parking lots, and light scuff marks from abrasions.

I don't recommend using it on flat-black trim or or some unpainted-color surfaces, though. On those, it can leave more of a mess than it takes out. It works best on factory-painted or bare-metal shiny surfaces, whether vinyl or sheet-metal.

If you can't order it online or find it in any local store in your area, PM me with your name/mailing address, and I'll send you a small complimentary bottle of it in the mail...I keep a supply of it on hand.

FrankReynoldsCPA

That's a very good point. I hadn't even considered that.

I'll go cop a feel on my lunch break.

baddis es

iTrader: (3)

definitely looks to be some type of wax/compound that's dried...mist some water on it and buff off with a rag if that's the case

FrankReynoldsCPA

I'm going to have to with those of you who said it was compound....I ran my finger across it and some of it rubbed off, lol. Can't believe I thought it was actual scratches.

mmarshall

Since compound itself can leave scratches if you rub it, if there are any fine scratches left from the abrasion, SCRATCH-OUT might also work on them if necessary. But if you're satisfied with the way it now looks, fine.