How to remove swirl marks and very light scratches

Moanin

I have a car with very light scratches on the passenger side as if it were rubbed against brambles on a ditch when driving. The car also has swirl marks. I've tried using autoglym paint renovator and then autoglym super resin polish. I have a polishing machine that I got in aldi a few years ago and buffed it using this. It looks fine for a short while but when I see it under sunshine these light scuffs / marks are still in the paint. The scratches / scuffs are not 'gone into' the paint but are pretty stubborn and difficult to remove.

Can anybody help me as to how I should remove without having to visit a body shop / detailer?

Thanks

Foxhole Norman

You won't remove them without going to a detailer/bodyshop. You can do it yourself but you'd have to get yourself a proper D/A or Rotary (~€100), pads (€10-€15 each), compound and/or polish (~€15 each).

The machines you'd get in aldi/lidl/Halfords wouldn't cut it, pardon the pun :pac:

Also, Super Resin "Polish" isn't really a polish, it's a filler so will cover them for a short while until it fades off.

Moanin

Thanks.

Any idea ball park figure how much to do Audi A6 please?

biffoman

I find m8 cutting compound to do the trick. And m8 wax is good as is McGuire's wax. When your cutting with the compound, be patient or you might not get good results. oh and don't let the surface dry or you'll burn through the clear coat. and make sure not to be tempted to speed op the buffer.

Moanin

biffoman wrote: »

I find m8 cutting compound to do the trick. And m8 wax is good as is McGuire's wax. When your cutting with the compound, be patient or you might not get good results. oh and don't let the surface dry or you'll burn through the clear coat. and make sure not to be tempted to speed op the buffer.

Thanks!

Moanin

Any of these any good?

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/paints-body-repair/scratch-repair-paint-restorers/farecla-g3-permanent-scratch-remover-liquid-500ml

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/paints-body-repair/scratch-repair-paint-restorers/meguiars-scratch-x-207ml

Curran

You have to ask yourself, are you happy with a temporary solution, that will mask the scratches but you'll have to repeat every few months. Or would you rather a permanent fix, and maintain the appearance from there, by washing it with the two bucket method, keeping away from ditches, etc.

It might not be feasible for you to keep away from ditches, etc, and in that case, you might be throwing money away at getting someone to machine polish the car for you, only to have similar damage on the car withing a few weeks / months. In that case a hand polish or filler glaze would suit better, applying it once every so often, masking the damage, but enhancing the appearance.
On the other hand, you might be happier to spend a few quid on a detail and try keep away from the ditches. Then it might be worth considering buying yourself a machine, and when the surface requires it, give it a light polish and protect it.

If the damage occurred in previous ownership and you dont be near the ditches, then having a detailer enhance the paintwork and maintain it afterwards yourself, might be the best approach.

All depends on your situation, budget, etc.

Moanin

Curran wrote: »

You have to ask yourself, are you happy with a temporary solution, that will mask the scratches but you'll have to repeat every few months. Or would you rather a permanent fix, and maintain the appearance from there, by washing it with the two bucket method, keeping away from ditches, etc.

It might not be feasible for you to keep away from ditches, etc, and in that case, you might be throwing money away at getting someone to machine polish the car for you, only to have similar damage on the car withing a few weeks / months. In that case a hand polish or filler glaze would suit better, applying it once every so often, masking the damage, but enhancing the appearance.
On the other hand, you might be happier to spend a few quid on a detail and try keep away from the ditches. Then it might be worth considering buying yourself a machine, and when the surface requires it, give it a light polish and protect it.

If the damage occurred in previous ownership and you dont be near the ditches, then having a detailer enhance the paintwork and maintain it afterwards yourself, might be the best approach.

All depends on your situation, budget, etc.

Thanks, these scratches / marks on the car were done by the previous owner, but I am quite happy to try to resolve the issues myself. Budget currently wont allow a trip to detailer / Body shop.

biffoman

Moanin wrote: »

Thanks, these scratches / marks on the car were done by the previous owner, but I am quite happy to try to resolve the issues myself. Budget currently wont allow a trip to detailer / Body shop.

A rule of thumb I use is if when you feel the scratch then its either a light touch up with filler then a steady hand and fill in with touch-up paint. If you go to your dealer and give the reg,they will tell you what colour code you need.
And if you don't feel any bobble or dent in the scratch then you should be able to buff it out with a cutting compound.

Moanin

biffoman wrote: »

A rule of thumb I use is if when you feel the scratch then its either a light touch up with filler then a steady hand and fill in with touch-up paint. If you go to your dealer and give the reg,they will tell you what colour code you need.
And if you don't feel any bobble or dent in the scratch then you should be able to buff it out with a cutting compound.

Thanks I have the touch up from Audi. So if there's a scratch goner into the paint can I use touch up firstly and then compound it / polish?

biffoman

You could do if you want, if it was me id make sure the area is clear of dirt or grit. If the scratch requires filler, mask either side, fill the scratch. Let it dry fully, give a light sand and you might have to add more filler on top ,repeat until your happy with the surface. Coat the area with at least 3 coats of touch-up but you'll know by the contrast to add another or not by sight and when your happy with the paint give two coats of lacquer that the dealer should of giving you. After that a coat of good wax, buff to finish.

biffoman

I forgot to say ,give the area a going over with compound after your happy with the filler.

Curran

biffoman wrote: »

I forgot to say ,give the area a going over with compound after your happy with the filler.

Dont you mean, compound after you are happy with the paint!


OP, have you a picture of the worst panel, and we can advice the best approach.

Moanin

Curran wrote: »

Dont you mean, compound after you are happy with the paint!


OP, have you a picture of the worst panel, and we can advice the best approach.

Ill give it a wash tomorrow or Tuesday and upload a few pics then.

Thanks all for advise and Happy Christmas!