Scratch X?

E

Empire01

New member
I searched around, but I can't find too much information on Meg's Scratch X. I bought some at Autozone before I read anything about, because, well, I have a tendency to buy a whole bunch of stuff I don't need when I go in there. :rockon

Anyways, I read something where somebody said that the Scratch X can look a little milky because of hazing. Is this common? Should I be using something after the Scratch X to remove hazing?

Also, should I use this over my whole truck (It has some pretty bad swirls) Or should I just treat the scratches with this, then go out and buy a UDM and some SSR's?

thanks!
 
You could use it over your whole truck but it's not intended for that. It's supposed to be for isolated scratches. The new version says it can be used with a DA buffer as well as by hand, so this may be something to consider.

As to the milky/hazing thing ... do you mean the paint looks hazed or the ScratchX itself is milky? It isn't supposed to be runny, but it is white-ish. If the paint looks hazy, try going over it with the ScratchX again, but be more gentle (lighter pressure) and make sure you use a gentle medium (like a MF cloth, for example). It's not as abrasive as a compound, so you shouldn't be scouring the paint.
 
Big Leegr said:
You could use it over your whole truck but it's not intended for that. It's supposed to be for isolated scratches. The new version says it can be used with a DA buffer as well as by hand, so this may be something to consider.

As to the milky/hazing thing ... do you mean the paint looks hazed or the ScratchX itself is milky? It isn't supposed to be runny, but it is white-ish. If the paint looks hazy, try going over it with the ScratchX again, but be more gentle (lighter pressure) and make sure you use a gentle medium (like a MF cloth, for example). It's not as abrasive as a compound, so you shouldn't be scouring the paint.
Click to expand...

I just read on another post that a guy had a problem with the paint hazing up after he used the stuff.. But he could have done something else wrong.

The only reason I considered going over the whole truck, is because it said it removes swirls.

If I went over just the scratches with the Scratch X right now and in a week or so, when I get a UDM and go back over it with the swirl removers. Would going over the Scratch X with the UDM defeat the purpose of using the Scratch X in the first place?
 
If you are getting a UDM, you might as well go for a good polish intended for this purpose. There are many choices that will really work but if you want OTC, Meg's 80 is carried by paint/body suppliers. It should cost less than $20. You can get Poorboys,XMT, many other lines from Troy here at DC and it get it within a few days.
 
this is from their site:

p84695b.jpg

Guaranteed to be the most effective way to remove fine scratches and swirls from automotive paint by hand and now also by DA polisher. ScratchX® removes light surface contaminants, oxidation, and blemishes while it enhances paint color and clarity. ScratchX is not a "cover up" and will not cause additional scratches to your surface.
Click to expand...
 
I just tried it out. It wasn't worth what I paid for it. It didn't do much at all, it might have removed the lightest, and I mean the LIGHTEST swirls. But that's about it.
 
I've found that the key is in multiple applications. (And I do mean MULTIPLE.) It has diminishing abrasives, which means that as you use it, the abrasives break down smaller and finer so it does a "final polish" step as well as a scratch removing step.
The "problem" with this is that it's more aggressive at the start, but quickly becomes less aggressive, thus making a long time rubbing 1 application less effective at removing a scratch than multiple applications with fresh stuff and shorter "rub-ins."
Once the scratch is gone, you can then rub 1 application longer to polish the finish/remove any haze.
 
Also, if you really aren't happy with it and are going to just wait until you can go over with a machine and some other products, Meguiar's has a satisfaction guarantee, so you can return it for your money back.
 
Big Leegr said:
Also, if you really aren't happy with it and are going to just wait until you can go over with a machine and some other products, Meguiar's has a satisfaction guarantee, so you can return it for your money back.
Click to expand...

Oh really? I didn't know about that. I can return it to the place I bought it at?

And I will try it again, with more applications.
Thanks for the tips! :rockon
 
I too bought some Scratch X when i first got into detailing my car. I was disappointed in the stuff. As someone else said above it is for spot application and by hand. I was not able to get any good results from it. That may be user error of course.

Once I got the Poorboy polishes all was well. I recommend getting them and/or the Polish with Sealant. That is a great product. There are many other great polishes that you can find on this forum.
 
Empire01 said:
What would yall recommend for a product after the SSr's. I think I'm going to go with PB's Black Hole. Then wax.
Click to expand...

Lots of personal preference with this question. You can't go wrong with that choice, but which wax? You may want to consider a sealant instead of the glaze and wax. Or perhaps PB's Polish w/Sealant as the polisher. But again, you can't go wrong if you are getting the SSr's and then topping the way you mentioned.
 
Well, I've been reading about it, and most people said that the products like AIO's or polish with sealant is for people that are making money detailing and need to get the job done fast. For now I'll just be using this on my truck, and I don't mind spending hours out there. So I was thinking of going with more products. I don't know if that is true or not. Just what I have read. I think I'm going to use the Nattys paste wax.
 
I had a client use a scouring pad on her paint to remove some overspray and I used it to remove those scratches and it worked out really well. Just remember, its an OTC product designed to remove light scratches and to be used by people with very limited detailing experience. I had it in my box from like a year ago so I figured Id give it a try.
 
Empire01 said:
I just tried it out. It wasn't worth what I paid for it. It didn't do much at all, it might have removed the lightest, and I mean the LIGHTEST swirls. But that's about it.
Click to expand...

ScratchX works great for its intended purpose BUT....you have to rub it hard by hand. Hard enough to make the vehicle rock. And use a terry cloth.
 
heatgain said:
ScratchX works great for its intended purpose BUT....you have to rub it hard by hand. Hard enough to make the vehicle rock. And use a terry cloth.
Click to expand...

That's probably why I didn't see any results, I applied it like a wax. Thanks for the tips! I'll go out and try it again. :bigups
 
Empire01 said:
That's probably why I didn't see any results, I applied it like a wax. Thanks for the tips! I'll go out and try it again. :bigups
Click to expand...

Yup - you gotta "work" it. Laying it on, letting it dry, and wiping it off won't do anything.

FWIW, I have had good results using ScratchX by hand in spot applications. It generally takes several applications. Also, I have had more luck using a terry applicator when using it. I think it is an underrated product just because it's OTC and not double the price purchased off the internet. A little off topic, but ColorX is an awesome product and I use it as an all in one type product and rank it right up there with the "high end" AIO's that I've tried.

Most of the products out there work just fine. The ones that don't generally go away after a time.
 
The terry cloth for application will make a big difference, not only with ScratchX, but many other polishes.
The applicator abrasiveness is a part of the overall process.

Also, see Big Leegr's post #7 about the diminishing abrasives. Some good info in this link.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top