Scratch Removal 101 ....
For all of you who wanted to know the proper way to remove surface scratches in your paint finish, I have now tried the proper way to do it, and I have to say that it works absolutely great, although it is a little labor intensive. My friend's F150 got keyed about a year ago so this weekend we decided to tackle the job of getting the scratches out.
Step #1: Go to your nearest auto supply store and buy some 2000 (or higher) grit sandpaper and a good quality rubbing compound (we used Meguiars).
Step #2: Thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle.
Step #3: Fill a bucket with water and keep your garden hose handy.
Step #4: Dip your sandpaper into the bucket of water and GENTLY sand over the scratches in a small circular pattern. Keep rinsing the area so that you have a good view to see when the scratch has disappeared from the finish. Remember to keep your sandpaper wet and rinse it often.
Step #5: Allow the affected areas to dry, or dry it yourself.
Step #6: Apply a small amount of the rubbing compound to a clean, dry cotton terry cloth (towel) and apply it to the affected areas in a small circular pattern. Apply quite a bit of pressure and keep buffing until the compound begins to dry.
Step #7: With another clean dry towel, remove the dried compound and repeat until the sanding marks have disappeared. We found that 4 or 5 applications did the trick.
Step #8: Thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle again and apply a good quality wax to the areas affected.
Step #9: Crack open a cold one and stand back to admire your handy work.
** Remember that this technique should only be used for surface scratches in your clear coat and not to sand too deeply. **
This truck is a dark burgundy color and shows every flaw, but when we were done it looked absolutely amazing. I wouldn't have tried it on my own car for fear of wrecking the finish earlier, but now I'll do it for sure (should I ever get a scratch)!
Hope this helps you guys out.
Step #1: Go to your nearest auto supply store and buy some 2000 (or higher) grit sandpaper and a good quality rubbing compound (we used Meguiars).
Step #2: Thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle.
Step #3: Fill a bucket with water and keep your garden hose handy.
Step #4: Dip your sandpaper into the bucket of water and GENTLY sand over the scratches in a small circular pattern. Keep rinsing the area so that you have a good view to see when the scratch has disappeared from the finish. Remember to keep your sandpaper wet and rinse it often.
Step #5: Allow the affected areas to dry, or dry it yourself.
Step #6: Apply a small amount of the rubbing compound to a clean, dry cotton terry cloth (towel) and apply it to the affected areas in a small circular pattern. Apply quite a bit of pressure and keep buffing until the compound begins to dry.
Step #7: With another clean dry towel, remove the dried compound and repeat until the sanding marks have disappeared. We found that 4 or 5 applications did the trick.
Step #8: Thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle again and apply a good quality wax to the areas affected.
Step #9: Crack open a cold one and stand back to admire your handy work.

** Remember that this technique should only be used for surface scratches in your clear coat and not to sand too deeply. **
This truck is a dark burgundy color and shows every flaw, but when we were done it looked absolutely amazing. I wouldn't have tried it on my own car for fear of wrecking the finish earlier, but now I'll do it for sure (should I ever get a scratch)!
Hope this helps you guys out.
CrazyCraig
- CrazyCraig
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- Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2003 8:50 pm
- Location: Medicine Hat, AB, CA