Light Scratches

[Highflyer]

Any suggestions on how to remove light scratches? Meguiars Scratch X did not work. :confused:

[mbzjag8090]

I too need help with minor scratches. I've got an '84 300 SD with 301,000 miles that has fine scratches all over the body. The original owner sent his car through the car wash until '96, when we got the car. I think these scratches are from the car wash. They are minute, only visible to those obsessed, of course.

Any advice on how to remove them or some basic product to remove them would be greatly appreciated.

[Jon Goldstein]

I use Griot's Garage machine polishes. They come in 3 different "levels" based on what sort of scratch/oxidation you are trying to remove. You need a good quality random orbital buffer, but the results are excellent! They also have a hand polish for use without a buffer. I have never used it, but if it's as good as their other products, it should work well (if not, send it back for a full refund as part of their guarantee). Griot's also has a great customer support staff, and you can call and ask for recommendations or advice on how to use any of their products.

Here is a link to the Hand Polish: http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=11165

[mark cummins]

I Use The 3m Products..They make several grades of polish to remove scratches
Must be bought at a Paint and auto body supply store

IF You can feel the scratch with your fingernail ..The scratch cannot be removed..

I Use the DA buffer from Meguiars aka PC buffer...The Buffer is a MUST to buff out scratches..But The DA wont Burn the Paint as Regular Buffers WILL!

Once the scratch is removed then follow up with a Good Cleaner/polish and a coat of a good Wax..

Do a Search on http://www.autopia.org/ and
http://www.showcargarage.com/
Lots of Info ...

I Use Meguiars/Zaino/Blackfire/Products
after the 3M Polish...Great Results

[mbzjag8090]

Thanks for the information...I'll have to try these products, as the scratches cannot be felt at all.

[Allen]

Do yourself a favor and carry the car to a body shop (not a detail shop) and have them give it a professional buff job. This takes out all the guesswork and yeilds great results. I had my 96 black Yukon done last summer, wow. The 99S320 (Black) is in the shop for the same treatment now. You will be very pleased.

[Erich Borden]

I have used Meguires "body Scrub" for both my cars and it works great. If the paint is really clean it should feel like running your fingers over glass. If not, keep cleaning. After this I applied Meguires polish and then Meguires gold class wax. This is a long process however it will last about 6 months and looks great.

[Tom Hanson]

I'll second the motion on a body shop. Sometimes a car needs to be color-sanded to get the scratches out. Very few of us can do the work at home. You can save yourself the cost of a paint job.

[Robby Ackerman]

I second Mark Cummins use of 3M products. My favorite for polishing and getting out scratches is 3M Liquid Polish Part No: 051131-O5993.

I had a dog dig its nails into the door of my SL. Tooth paste and 3M took care of it.

[meme]

Are Mercedes dealers qualified body shops?
Meme
C230 Kompressor
Sedan Sport Package

[Robby Ackerman]

Yes.

Here is one of the new coupes that their body men train with in how to take it apart and properly put it together.

[Tom Hanson]

Some MB dealers have their own body shop, most don't. Ask your local dealer for a recommendation. 3M products are very good. I've used them for many years. Once you have a clean surface, get a can of "Finish Wax" from Granitize Products in South Gate, CA. They've been around since 1948. My family has been using their products ever since. I just used this wax on my C320 last weekend. What a difference. Easy to use on a prepared surface, impossible otherwise. Use the 3M products for the prep.

[Highflyer]

Has anyone tried Mirror Glaze Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover by hand on scratches? :confused:

[tiggerfink]

I had problems with scratches and my my wife using an eraser to remove excess touch up paint. Look like sand paper marks when she was done. I used scratch X and Meguiras orbital polisher with pad 8006 to remove the scratches and the eraser marks. So invest in a good orbital polisher. Meguiras sells one that is made by Porter cable.

http://www.meguiars.com/collections/index.cfm?CID=251

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Unless these surface blems are a real eye sore and you opt not to have it professonally resurfaced either buffing or wet sanded and shot again with clear coat if it is clear coated then LEAVE IT ALONE or it will look like a pok mark piece of junk.:mad:
Most over the counter polishes and/or cleaners aren't agressive enough to do anything but wear your arm out; the exception being rubbing compounds of various grades.
Wet sanding using the finest of grade beats coumpounds.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don:p

[mark cummins]

Please move this over to the NEW Detail section..

[D.L. SWINFORD]

mbz;
Here is ole two face.
Anytime you have your paint buffed using rubbing compound no matter how fine a grade; you ARE removing your valuable paint.
I have in the past on my 300e color marroon repaired scratches.
The techniqic is tried and proven though old.
I use a touch-up fine brush(some times called a dagger brush) and paint for a supply house not those touch up applicators.
Clean and slightly feather edge the blem make sure that silicones are removed.
Apply the paint enough to fill the blem to above the surface.
After it is completely dry, using a double edge razor blade layed flat on the surface; you remove the excess paint down even with the surface.
NOW, use your fine abrasive and blend to appear with the original finish.
You've just repaireds an ugly spot.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from Know it all the Spiderman on the Gulf coast, Don:p

[dolebludger]

D.L.:

That is good advice, especially for pock marks like the kind we get from flying pebbles. But I think I shall have nightmares tonight about the idea of using wet sanding on paint to remove scratches! Does this really work on non-clear coat cars?

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

dole;
Don't have any shivers over wet sanding.
Remember you will be using grit sizes from 1500 to 2000.
You just want to blend not refinish. Now comes the polish of the finish grit and you don't appy rub and wipe off. You burnish the paint as you would do a fine piece of wood.
As for non clear coat; you bet; clear coat is the new kid on the block.
We were using this method years back when the final polish was baby powder. And the oil from the waxes was obsorbed using cornmeal as a media.
I guess I'm showing my age now.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from OLD Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don:p

[dolebludger]

D.L.

You will note that in my thread on wax I have tried many products, and am going to try many more. One thing I have found is that Eagle Wax Nano does a pretty good job of hiding very light scratches. Otherwise, I don't care for it much, as it leaves a "gummy" residue that one must wipe off. But I did find a valid use for it on areas on my S2000 that had VERY light scratches, even though I had to use some "instant detailer" product to get the residue completely off. And then, I had to wax over it with something else to get a really good shine. But hiding light scratches, it did do.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

dole;
When you have the gummy residue stuff then it needs burnishing.
Take your polishing clothe and fold it to a small square about the sizw of your hand.
Using this pad rub the gummy stuf not turning the pad as it gets build up but continue until the gummy stuff is removed from the paint and your pad has the stuff.
This is the best way to remove that type of polish.
As to the spray on liquid; it gets its reflective surface buy removing a small layer of wax that is present.
No wax no shine.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf coast, don:p

Nite all it is past my beddy bye