Does buffing have an effect on the clearcoat and/or paint?? Options

[JDMAtenza21]

Wasn't really sure where to post this so...

To get right to the point, I went out last night and someone fucking keyed the entire drivers side of my car. Some of it is kinda deep, but most of it looks like it might be able to be buffed out. My friend has a buffer so I was gonna try that to get some of the scratches out. Would this take off the clearcoat or do anything to the paint?

[MikeyD]

bump for the poor guy.. that sux..

[blackstang3o2]

yes buffing can and will remove clear coat. If done properly not much harm will be done. If it is your first time useing a buffer i would recommend you use a junk yard hood to pratice on to get the feel for it. If you stay in one spot to long or have the buffer speed to high you can burn right through the paint.

[top_gear87]

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/8...r-polisher.html

very good guide on using a buffer and removing scratches. If you do it right you won't harm the paint, but using the wrong polish or technique will def make things worse. If you're new to buffing, make sure you use an OBRITAL buffer, not a ROTARY! If your friend has a rotary buffer, you'd be better off trying to polish by hand first since you'll be MUCH less likely to damage the paint this way. Read carefully and choose the right kind of polish too. Using the wrong polish can do a lot of damage. You'll be impressed how well that scratch will come out if you use the right stuff though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/1.gif)

make sure you look over the table of contents on the right side of the site. It has a page for which polish you should use, and a section specifically on removing scratches called "paint clinic". look about half way down the paint clinic page for instructions on scratch removal.

Good luck!

[JDMAtenza21]

Thanks for the help. I don't really want to use the buffer unless it's a last resort. I've never used one before and after what you guys said i'm kinda leaning against. I went out yesterday and got some Meguiar's Scratch X, says it's supposed to take out fine scratches and swirls. Hopefully this will take some of it out.

You'll be impressed how well that scratch will come out if you use the right stuff though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/1.gif)

What kind of stuff do you suggest?

[top_gear87]

Well depending on the depth of the scratch it may be impossible to completely remove it. What polishing will do is even out the surrounding clear coat to the depth of the scratch, thereby removing it. If the scratch is through the clearcoat, no amount of polishing will fix it.

The scratchX is a good product, but it might be too fine to get your whole scratch out (If it doesn't completely work, it will at least make the scracht less noticable). Make sure you read the application instrustions, and then have a go with it. use the scratchX before you get something stronger, becuase it'll have the least affect on your clear coat and won't need any finishing. (when using strong polishes you have to follow with a finishing polish to get the micromarring from the first polish out).

If the scratchX doesn't work, go over the area with a fine-cut rubbing compound. Again, Make sure you read the instructions first. The rubbing compound will get rid of the scratch, but in the process it will leave its own very light scratches and swirls. Don't worry though, its supposed to do that. Just follow it with another application of the scratchX, and you should be good as new.