Minor Scratches... remove with what?

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Please help. I just ran a rallycross with my one year old Subaru WRX and the icy snowbanks left me with some paint issues. My rear bumper took the brunt of my foolishness and will need to be repainted. However, along the rear doors on both sides of the car, there are some minor hairline scrtaches (not even sure if they are through the clearcoat or not). I used Zaino Z2/Z6 right before winter started and now I'm wondering if Z2 or Z5 will take out these surface scratches. Anyone have any experience with using Z5 for filling in minor scrtaches? I also thought about Brasso or NXT... anyone have an experience with these products? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I don't have a buffer and all my polishing will likely be done by hand. Thanks in advance, JC
 
zaino wont get rid of any scratches....maybe the new z5 fills but the old z5 sure doesent...the nxt hides them for a day or 2 from my experience
 
thejean- Sounds like you'll have to experiment with some different products. If you're through the clear, then you'll have to repaint. If not, the scratches might STILL be too deep for safe removal. The paint on MY WRX is pretty thin, can't take off too much.



No, Zaino just sorta-hides such marring, it won't remove it. DO *NOT* use Brasso on automotive paint!! NXT isn't what you need here either, though it might be a good last step product to use AFTER you remove/reduce the marring if you're looking for something to use instead of Zaino.



But first you oughta remove/improve the scratches.



Get some abrasive polishes of different strengths. Maybe 1Z Ultra, Paint, and Metallic polishes. Or Meg's #83 and #80 (the #80 will be OK for your freshly repainted rear bumper cover, too). Or Menzerna Intensive and Final polishes. Or 3M PI-III RC and MG (pns 05933 and 05937). Or somebody else's stuff.



By hand, *I* would prefer the 3M or 1Z stuff, with 1Z my fave. Get some products, check out some threads on hand polishing, and then start trying stuff.
 
Wow, thanks guys for the speedy replies! I think I will try the 1Z or the 3M products and see what results I get. So, correct me if I'm wrong, these products are basically abrasive polishes that will reduce the clearcoat in the area of the scratch to the point that it will no longer be noticeable? Is there a high risk of dulling the finish with this approach? Is there any product out there that is better for filling than NXT as a last step before applying the Zainio? Winter is just about over and I am ready to strip the Zaino and reapply so this is a good time to experiment. Even if I use some 1Z or 3M with some NXT, should I still use Z5 before the Z2, or, can I just stick with the Z2? AFter buying the other two products, could I do without the Z5 do you think? Thanks again fellas. JC



PS Accumulator, what year and colour is your WRX? I have a WRB '02 with an STi front lip... no other major engine mods except for an up-pipe. By the way, I don't recommend rallycrossing your car if you're anal about appearance like I am! haha.



PSS Additional opinions/suggestions welcome, if any.
 
Oh yeah, almost forgot... why not Brasso? My uncle paints a lot of cars and he swears by the stuff for removal of scratches. Why should this product be avoided anyway... too abrasive?
 
04_BLK_MACH1 said:
you dont wanna put zaino over anything, you could put a topper on zaino but thats it, zaino over nxt wont work
Click to expand...



Oh thanks. I wasn't aware of that. I'm still in the process of reading up on these products so please forgive my ignorance on the topic. I should know a lot more by the end of the evening. haha.
 
A couple more questions:



What kind of pad should I be using... a polishing pad or a cutting pad?



Where does Meg's Scratch X fit in this discussion? Is it a similar product to the 3M and the 1Z or is it something totally different?
 
One more question... if I find the scratch to be through the clear coat and into the primer, can I use some touch-up paint and then wait until it dries and buff that down level using a polish? Will that work? Can someone point me to a method (i.e., thread) that will work in that situation. I've been reading and reading all night and I think I'm now more confused then when I began.
 
thejean- If the scratch is to primer, better pay a (good) shop to reshoot it.



Brasso is gonna be pretty aggressive, and it really is best to use products that are MADE FOR automotive paint. NON-automotive polishes use different grades and consistencies of abrasives and different carrier solvents. Your understanding of using abrasive polishes to thin the clearcoat is correct. Better do everything you can to avoid problems, so use stuff like Scratch-X, or the 3M products. I wouldn't use 1Z if going the Zaino route (the 1Z stuff leaves too much wax). No need to worry about which pad to use by hand. Use a regular foam applicator or a MF (but note that some like terry pads/towels for this).



Better choose between Zaino and NTX, they're both last step products and I doubt they are compatible.



My WRX is an '02 wagon. Silver, all stock (it's sorta our spare car). That reminds me, I gotta clean up its summer wheels soon...
 
Thanks Accumulator. You have been a huge help. I figured the Brasso might be a bit harsh, which is why I figured I'd do some research before trying it. I will try either the 3M or the scratchx as it is easily obtainable locally (I'm in Canada and its difficult for us to get many of the products availabel in the US). I'll probably stick with Zaino as my finishing products as I have found them to be great and protect like crazy. Oh year, most of the scratches don't seem to have an edge that I can catch with my fingernail so buffing them out looks like it may be possible. Thanks again. JC



PS - I'll post back here and let everybody know how it went.
 
Post some pictures I'm in the same boat, have a few scratches and want to fix them and not just covered them up....being that we both have clear coats, I'd be carefull and not use abrassives....:up
 
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