Need advice with light clear coat scratches on new 2018 Accord

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bamafan76

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Let me apologize up front for the length, I tend to be detailed... ;)

I purchased a 2018 Accord- Platinum White 3 weeks ago. After a few days of having it, I noticed when looking at it from certain angles and light there were a few what appears to be clear coat scratches on the hood and on the trunk from what I assume may have been when the dealership washed/dried it. None of the scratches can be felt which also leads me to believe they are slight clear coat scratches. I also ordered the Wolfgang Uber Ceramic coating to apply to my car from AutoGeek. I hand washed it using the 2 bucket method with grit guards as I usually do, and I use the Absorber towel to dry it. Because of the scratches, I tried using Meguire's Ultimate Polish using my Turtle Wax random orbital polisher on the hood and trunk to remove them per the instructions on the bottle. I then used the Wolfgang Perfect Paint Prep and applied the Uber Ceramic coating. Later that evening with the right light shining on the car while parked in a restaurant parking lot, I noticed the scratches were not in fact gone! I know my OCD is kind of kicking in here in that there are not a lot of them and they can only be seen with the right light and at the right angle, but I can't stop thinking about it being a new car and them being there.

Can you please tell me if this may work? I figure I'd have to remove the Uber Ceramic coating first, and was wondering if the WG Perfect Paint prep would do it? I also thought about trying the Meguire's Scratch X 2.0 with using my random orbital polisher to remove the scratches, and then re-apply the Uber Ceramic coating.

Thanks so much in advance!
 
Always do a test spot before doing the whole car.
 
Welcome to AGO.

Well first off the paint prep is not going to remove the coating. You will have to polish it off.

Also you are using this tool or something similar?

58ae2f37-0939-4dbf-a5c5-3553687d0296_1.e0ad97957507f8e49c00b80766e4108a.jpeg
 
Thanks for the warm welcome! I am using one similar, it is the smaller hand version. And to your point about the paint prep not removing the Uber ceramic coating, will a clay bar remove it? Last, I just realized that I used Meguire's Ultimate Polish, not Ultimate Compound to try and remove the scratches ( I updated my OP). Maybe that's why the scratches didn't come out?

View attachment 61813
 
This tool is not going to do much for removing swirls. It’s often called a wax spreader.

Claying will not remove all the coating. It may remove some. Polishing will for sure.

You can try ultimate compound with the machine you have but I would recommend looking into a dual action polisher if your budget allows.
 
You are going to want a machine like this Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher and you will be best to purchase a package deal. Get the pads and polishes to match and you will be able to handle any light scratches and swirls with ease. The blue wax spreader will be just a memory of how you got started and a great lesson learned. My story was very similar yet on a larger scale of errors. I tried doing a 9' tall cargo van with a $30.00 hand vibrator from Home Depot and found AutoGeek because of it! It still causes me to be humble when others describe their trials and tribulations of detailing.Good luck with your decision.
 
wing commander said:
You are going to want a machine like this Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher and you will be best to purchase a package deal. Get the pads and polishes to match and you will be able to handle any light scratches and swirls with ease. The blue wax spreader will be just a memory of how you got started and a great lesson learned. My story was very similar yet on a larger scale of errors. I tried doing a 9' tall cargo van with a $30.00 hand vibrator from Home Depot and found AutoGeek because of it! It still causes me to be humble when others describe their trials and tribulations of detailing.Good luck with your decision.
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Machine as recommended above, some orange lake country flat pads, Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover will take the Uber off and remove the scratches. Can follow with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze on white pad to refine. Reapply Uber to hood.

Paint prep and/or clay won't remove the Uber Cramic.
 
wing commander said:
You are going to want a machine like this Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher and you will be best to purchase a package deal. Get the pads and polishes to match and you will be able to handle any light scratches and swirls with ease. The blue wax spreader will be just a memory of how you got started and a great lesson learned. My story was very similar yet on a larger scale of errors. I tried doing a 9' tall cargo van with a $30.00 hand vibrator from Home Depot and found AutoGeek because of it! It still causes me to be humble when others describe their trials and tribulations of detailing.Good luck with your decision.
Click to expand...

BudgetPlan1 said:
Machine as recommended above, some orange lake country flat pads, Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover will take the Uber off and remove the scratches. Can follow with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze on white pad to refine. Reapply Uber to hood.

Paint prep and/or clay won't remove the Uber Cramic.
Click to expand...

I truly appreciate the replies and recommendations! I took a look at the Griot's polisher and I'm not sure if it is within my budget right now. Is there a way to tackle this by hand with pads, WG Total Swirl Remover and such?
 
Working by hand won't get you very far. The investment in a good polisher will take you a long way. If you can't afford it now, fight a holding action by ensuring you're keeping the paint protected and using wash products/equipment that won't make things worse while you save up for the polisher.

I'll also suggest you get rid of the Absorber. It works well for pulling up water, but it is not gentle on soft paint. When I moved from using an Absorber to soft microfiber waffle weave drying towels, I noticed a significant drop in marring on my wife's Toyota, which also has very soft paint like your Honda. Now, I only use the Absorber for my wheels.

What do you use to wash the vehicle?

Removing the swirls is one step. The next is to ensure they don't come back.
 
bamafan76 said:
I truly appreciate the replies and recommendations! I took a look at the Griot's polisher and I'm not sure if it is within my budget right now. Is there a way to tackle this by hand with pads, WG Total Swirl Remover and such?
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Could always go with a Harbor Freight, I think those are around $50. Advance Auto sometimes has coupons and sales that lower the Griots under $100. Unfortunately I don't think hand polishing will be enough to do the job unless you're some kinda genetically engineered cyborg.
 
BudgetPlan1 said:
Machine as recommended above, some orange lake country flat pads, Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover will take the Uber off and remove the scratches. Can follow with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze on white pad to refine. Reapply Uber to hood.

Paint prep and/or clay won't remove the Uber Cramic.
Click to expand...

Sir. Use Glaze before Ceramic Coating ?


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
How long are the scratches and how many are there? I would try using Ultimate compound by hand. When you concentrate hand polishing on a small area you can get a lot of cut due to the pressure. Don't expect them to go away on the first try. Work on one scratch at a time and break it up into sections if it is long so you can focus on a small enough area to work the polish enough. A round foam puck would probably be better than a round MF applicator because you may flatten the MF loops and end up actually rubbing with the MF backing material and cause new marring.
 
On this vehicle, I have only washed the car with the Wolfgang auto bathe using a soft mitt. I will look into getting away from the absorber to lessen the opportunity of more scratches. I will also look to ordering the polished kit soon. The scratches are hit or miss on the hood and on the trunk which tells me doing it by hand to do one scratch at a time will not work out.

If I’m going to use the Wolfgang swirl remover, will I also need to use the finishing glaze if I’m going back with the Uber ceramic coating?
 
So I took a lot of advice from the replies to this thread. I ordered the WG Swirl Remover and Finishing Glaze combo, the LC CCS Orange and White pads, and will look to buying the DA polisher from Harbor Freight (had to save somewhere). Being I just applied the WG Uber Ceramic coating, I'm going to wait a while before I tackle the job on the hood and trunk, but at least I'll have the items needed to do so. I've also purchased 2 Waffle Weave microfiber towels to get away from the Absorber I had been using.

Thanks to everyone that shared some tips/recommendations!
 
I agree 100% with custmsprty. Buy a Griot's unit if that's what your budget allows for and 5 or 6 Lake Country Thin Light polishing pads and use with your Meg's Ultimate polish or favorite all in one such as Meg's D166 or HD Speed, etc.
 
custmsprty said:
A two step polishing is likely unnecessary with the light scratches you are describing and wasted time and energy.
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Agree. No need to polish off more clear coat that absolutely necessary. Since Honda paint is so soft, you can do amazing amounts of correction with a finishing polish and a medium cut pad.

I always like having a more aggressive polish and pads on hand for a bad spot that needs more work, but won't 2-step the entire vehicle unless absolutely needed. I'll only 2-step polish where needed.
 
custmsprty said:
A two step polishing is likely unecessary with the light scratches you are describing and wasted time and energy.


To this in one step with a da, orange B & S pad and HD Adapt (discontinued)


You will most defintely need a DA Polisher to achieve these type of results.
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So to make sure I understand, I can use a DA polisher and the Meguire's Ultimate Polish and that should remove the current WG Uber Ceramic coating, take care of the light scratches, and then re-apply the Ceramic coating without needing to use the WG Swirl Remover and Finishing Glaze? And if so, should I use the Orange or White LC CCS pad? I purchased one of each.

Thanks!
 
bamafan76 said:
So to make sure I understand, I can use a DA polisher and the Meguire's Ultimate Polish and that should remove the current WG Uber Ceramic coating, take care of the light scratches, and then re-apply the Ceramic coating without needing to use the WG Swirl Remover and Finishing Glaze? And if so, should I use the Orange or White LC CCS pad? I purchased one of each.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I can't comment on the Megs or the coating as I've never used any of those products.

My comment is specifically addressing WG Swirl Remover and F-Glaze (which I own and have used) being two steps and most likley not needed. Any polishing step will most likely remove the coating (I'm not a fan of coatings) so I have never personally tried removing one.
 
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