Scratches

[GXPaycheck]

After washing and claying my new white G8, I found a bunch of scratches, origin unknown on the hood and roof (hood mostly). At least one of them is deep enough to sorta almost catch when I run a fingernail across it. Just tried my new pads, S&H remover, and polishes (and some Maguires Scratch-X with the orange pad) but they are not going away. Tried to get a pic but the camera battery died.

 

Suggestions?

[Bill-V8V]

Did you have the speed at 5 or 6 and used only a small amount of polish ? Too much polish can lead to poor results.

[GXPaycheck]

Started at 3 on the G110, went up to 4.5 - 5 after a bit. Used about enough product to write a "Z" on the pad.

[Bill-V8V]

Started at 3 on the G110, went up to 4.5 - 5 after a bit. Used about enough product to write a "Z" on the pad.

 

I would try a smaller section 1x1 and move real slow and add a little pressure. Use about a dime size dot and spread it around first set at 3 then go to 6 and work the polish until it turns to a haze. Hopefully that will do the trick for you

[Adam]

We have a new product coming very, VERY soon that will be able to fix those scratches. It's essentially a smaller version of our backing plate and polishing pads, which attaches to a drill. You can then go after the scratches, and eliminate them with a 4" pad.

 

Follow with the Porter Cable D/A and 'walla!" you'll be all good. Stay tuned, coming in just a few weeks.

 

[Adam]

One more thing, how much pressure did you use? You should hear the machine slow down, at setting 6, with the orange pad and Swirl & Haze Remover, applying at least 30+ lbs of weight to the finish.

[Marylander]

One more thing, how much pressure did you use? You should hear the machine slow down, at setting 6, with the orange pad and Swirl & Haze Remover, applying at least 30+ lbs of weight to the finish.

 

Thanks for that info, Adam. I'd always wondered if I was putting the right amount of pressure on the PC. Now I know (I wasn't!)

 

Rich

[Team Adam's]

Keep in mind also that if you can actually feel the scratch with your nail most likely you need to visit a body shop and have get a professional painter's opinion.

[mikegeaney]

We have a new product coming very, VERY soon that will be able to fix those scratches. It's essentially a smaller version of our backing plate and polishing pads, which attaches to a drill. You can then go after the scratches, and eliminate them with a 4" pad.

 

Follow with the Porter Cable D/A and 'walla!" you'll be all good. Stay tuned, coming in just a few weeks.

 

 

HA! I knew it was a good idea to pick up that 18v DeWalt @ Home Depot on "black Friday"!

[08G8V8]

Keep in mind also that if you can actually feel the scratch with your nail most likely you need to visit a body shop and have get a professional painter's opinion.

 

 

My G8 is getting a professionals opinion as I write this.

 

I had the windows tinted, and then redone because they did a crap job. I then took it back a third time to have it re-done again. I had the tint shop drop the car off a couple blocks down the road at the dealer to have the first oil change done. I come to pick it up, and there on the back panel, just behind the rear door, 3 scratches that definitely catch a fingernail, each about an inch long. Also, a couple of scratches to the rear wheel. Dealer stepped up and said they would get it fixed, since the tint shop wasn't speaking up.

 

I specifically called both the dealer and the tint shop to make sure they don't do their "courtesy wash" because I was concerned about scratches. Well, it didn't seem to make a difference.

 

Just kills me to have to have my new car re-painted.

 

Don't mean to take over your thread, but I just had to vent a little.

[GXPaycheck]

We have a new product coming very, VERY soon that will be able to fix those scratches. It's essentially a smaller version of our backing plate and polishing pads, which attaches to a drill. You can then go after the scratches, and eliminate them with a 4" pad.

 

Follow with the Porter Cable D/A and 'walla!" you'll be all good. Stay tuned, coming in just a few weeks.

 

 

I hate waiting!!! Need a test pilot?

[Bill-V8V]

My G8 is getting a professionals opinion as I write this.

 

I had the windows tinted, and then redone because they did a crap job. I then took it back a third time to have it re-done again. I had the tint shop drop the car off a couple blocks down the road at the dealer to have the first oil change done. I come to pick it up, and there on the back panel, just behind the rear door, 3 scratches that definitely catch a fingernail, each about an inch long. Also, a couple of scratches to the rear wheel. Dealer stepped up and said they would get it fixed, since the tint shop wasn't speaking up.

 

I specifically called both the dealer and the tint shop to make sure they don't do their "courtesy wash" because I was concerned about scratches. Well, it didn't seem to make a difference.

 

Just kills me to have to have my new car re-painted.

 

Don't mean to take over your thread, but I just had to vent a little.

 

Bummer !!!!

 

I usually do the same, request that they don't wash. I forgot to do that when I had the spray in bed liner done. Luckily they were gentle and all I got was a few minor scuffs and a few water spots. Thanks to all the product I had on the truck the water spots wiped right off. But I will need to do a little buffing for the scuffs

 

Your right, venting is good

[Adam]

My G8 is getting a professionals opinion as I write this.

 

I had the windows tinted, and then redone because they did a crap job. I then took it back a third time to have it re-done again. I had the tint shop drop the car off a couple blocks down the road at the dealer to have the first oil change done. I come to pick it up, and there on the back panel, just behind the rear door, 3 scratches that definitely catch a fingernail, each about an inch long. Also, a couple of scratches to the rear wheel. Dealer stepped up and said they would get it fixed, since the tint shop wasn't speaking up.

 

I specifically called both the dealer and the tint shop to make sure they don't do their "courtesy wash" because I was concerned about scratches. Well, it didn't seem to make a difference.

 

Just kills me to have to have my new car re-painted.

 

Don't mean to take over your thread, but I just had to vent a little.

 

I completely understand your pain. People don't care, and that drives me nuts. I took my Excursion in to have the front seat covers replaced. (100K miles, they got cracked and ugly.) They had it on a lift, and opened the passenger AND driver's doors into the lift, and I had to have both doors repainted. Now they don't match, and I've got non-consistent orange peel, and even the color is off. If I could do it over again, I'd have lived with the scratches, absolutely!

 

IMHO: Try like heck not to have the car repainted! If there is even a chance to buff out the scratches, with only a slight visibility of the flaw, that's usually better than a non-original panel re-spray!

[GXPaycheck]

One more thing, how much pressure did you use? You should hear the machine slow down, at setting 6, with the orange pad and Swirl & Haze Remover, applying at least 30+ lbs of weight to the finish.

 

OK, Less product, higher speed, more pressure. Got it!

I will give it another try tomorrow (when it's WARMER!!!)

[Bill-V8V]

and don't move the PC too fast, just slow and steady

[08G8V8]

I completely understand your pain. People don't care, and that drives me nuts. I took my Excursion in to have the front seat covers replaced. (100K miles, they got cracked and ugly.) They had it on a lift, and opened the passenger AND driver's doors into the lift, and I had to have both doors repainted. Now they don't match, and I've got non-consistent orange peel, and even the color is off. If I could do it over again, I'd have lived with the scratches, absolutely!

 

IMHO: Try like heck not to have the car repainted! If there is even a chance to buff out the scratches, with only a slight visibility of the flaw, that's usually better than a non-original panel re-spray!

 

Thanks Adam. I just talked with the body shop and he said he thinks he can wet sand it, apply a little base color, clear coat and polish it and make it go away. I told him to try this, and I will come down to take a look prior to re-spraying the car. I would like to avoid that.

 

[GXPaycheck]

Update! Making progress. Some of the smaller ones are gone. The really bad ones are still there but not so noticeable. The edges have been rounded off a bit. I dug up a small pad I got from a local detail supplier and it helped a bit. Seems to be a tad more aggressive than the orange one.

One question: What does it mean when the pad starts smoking?

[seibert1814]

I completely understand your pain. People don't care, and that drives me nuts. I took my Excursion in to have the front seat covers replaced. (100K miles, they got cracked and ugly.) They had it on a lift, and opened the passenger AND driver's doors into the lift, and I had to have both doors repainted. Now they don't match, and I've got non-consistent orange peel, and even the color is off. If I could do it over again, I'd have lived with the scratches, absolutely!

 

IMHO: Try like heck not to have the car repainted! If there is even a chance to buff out the scratches, with only a slight visibility of the flaw, that's usually better than a non-original panel re-spray!

 

I used to have a 1990 Corvette and took it once to the dealer for routine oil change, etc. They had one of those lifts that has 2 ramps that you drive the car up on. I was watching from the Customer area and the guy drove it barely onto the lift, I guess was unsure if he had the wheels centered, so he then cut the wheels, moved forward, and drove it off of the side of the lift. That was not a good day.

[Bill-V8V]

Update! Making progress. Some of the smaller ones are gone. The really bad ones are still there but not so noticeable. The edges have been rounded off a bit. I dug up a small pad I got from a local detail supplier and it helped a bit. Seems to be a tad more aggressive than the orange one.

One question: What does it mean when the pad starts smoking?

 

 

Glad to hear you are making progress

 

If your pad is smoking you are in serious danger of damaging your paint, A PC shouldn't be able to generate that much heat even with a smaller pad. Stop immediately if that does happen :willy:

 

Remember, it's better to do a panel 5 times than try to correct everything in one pass.

[GXPaycheck]

Glad to hear you are making progress

 

If your pad is smoking you are in serious danger of damaging your paint, A PC shouldn't be able to generate that much heat even with a smaller pad. Stop immediately if that does happen :willy:

 

Remember, it's better to do a panel 5 times than try to correct everything in one pass.

I had a feeling that wasn't normal

How can I tell if I did any damage?

Edited December 4, 2008 by GXPaycheck

[Adam]

Update! Making progress. Some of the smaller ones are gone. The really bad ones are still there but not so noticeable. The edges have been rounded off a bit. I dug up a small pad I got from a local detail supplier and it helped a bit. Seems to be a tad more aggressive than the orange one.

One question: What does it mean when the pad starts smoking?

 

The pad is smoking??? Wow, that's a first! I'm thinking the motor on the PC might be smoking, even though that's also unlikely. Feel the pad, and tell me if it's super hot. Do you use a little mist of Detail Spray when polishing??

[GXPaycheck]

The pad is smoking??? Wow, that's a first! I'm thinking the motor on the PC might be smoking, even though that's also unlikely. Feel the pad, and tell me if it's super hot. Do you use a little mist of Detail Spray when polishing??

Used the detail spray on pad and on paint. It was definitely the pad. It and the paint got a tad hot (not quite super hot). Maybe I was using too much pressure.

Anyway, got most of the big ones out (still a couple left, including the 2 I applied myself:lolsmack:#*%#@*&!!)> My fault, not the DA. Story of my life, one step forward, two steps back!

 

Her's a couple of the scratches prior to starting

Finished with the hood. Car is in garage.

Outside with an overcast.

 

Hard to tell it's a white car. Have to wear shades when the suns out:glasses:

Edited December 5, 2008 by GXPaycheck

[Adam]

Looks good now, however, are you happy with the finish now? Great car!

[GXPaycheck]

Looks good now, however, are you happy with the finish now? Great car!

I will only be happy when the OCD goes away! Now I gotta do the rest of the car . Maybe next week.............

[08G8V8]

Thanks Adam. I just talked with the body shop and he said he thinks he can wet sand it, apply a little base color, clear coat and polish it and make it go away. I told him to try this, and I will come down to take a look prior to re-spraying the car. I would like to avoid that.

 

 

I went to the body shop this morning to review the work they had done, and they did a pretty amazing job. There is just the slightest hint of a line where one of the scratches used to be. You have to be right up on it, and know where to look to see it.

 

I am happy with the results, but I'm still not happy with the tint shops work on the windows. I will give it a few more weeks for the bubbles to work their way out, but they seem the same as the last go around, so I don't see them disappearing.

 

Thanks for the advice on trying to avoid the re-spray.

[GXPaycheck]

I went to the body shop this morning to review the work they had done, and they did a pretty amazing job. There is just the slightest hint of a line where one of the scratches used to be. You have to be right up on it, and know where to look to see it.

 

I am happy with the results, but I'm still not happy with the tint shops work on the windows. I will give it a few more weeks for the bubbles to work their way out, but they seem the same as the last go around, so I don't see them disappearing.

 

Thanks for the advice on trying to avoid the re-spray.

 

Glad the paint shop did a good job, Jeff. The problem with scratches, repaired or not, is you always know where to look and that's generally the FIRST place you look! Ask me how I know! The paint on these G8's is really soft. Just setting a polish bottle on it to get a pic caused a scratch, but it takes 10 times the effort to get it out!