Brand New Black Truck Scratch

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xxnonamexx

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My friend purchased a brand new jeep and there is a black scratch which looks like a stone from the road may have kicked up onto the hood. It is not down to the paint. What would you recommend?
 
The easiest thing to try is Clay, Compound and polish. Dont forget to add wax or sealant. You can do this by hand with a soft MF applicator but way faster by machine.

Meguairs compound or scratch x is an OTC product you can try. If it is too deep then Dr Color Chip can be used.
 
I have to take a photo of it but I read about and saw videos of Meguiars compound and Scratch X and it mentions after a was the scratches return.
 
xxnonamexx said:
I have to take a photo of it but I read about and saw videos of Meguiars compound and Scratch X and it mentions after a was the scratches return.
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I'm not sure what you mean by Scratches return?
ScratchX is a mild abrasive polish with a cut level of #2 (on a scale of 1-12).

I've used scratchX to not only remove fairly moderate random isolated deep scratches, but used it after rock chip repair to level down the touch-up paint after mild curing.

Some pic's of the scratch will help. General rule of thumb is if you can get a finger nail into the scratch, it's probably not going to fully come out, however, compounding followed by polish will minimize the visual effect of the scratch by leveling the clear around the scratch.

Somewhere on the forum is a depth chart (color coded) side view (sliced graphic) of how various scratches form into the clear and down to the base. At present I don't have that chart on hand.
 
The first thing i always do is evaluate as best i can how deep it goes. I use a magnifying glass sometimes after it is thoroughly cleaned. Some are worth correcting if thin enough and others are either left alone or filled with paint.

I love me some factory applied paint and don't give it up by chasing down deep imperfections.
 
Fingernail can get in scratch not too deep though. What can you recommend thanks
 
xxnonamexx said:
Fingernail can get in scratch not too deep though. What can you recommend thanks
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That looks like a relatively shallow scratch not from a stone.If your inclined to damp sand it by hand ,and efficient with a rotary I personally would try 2000 gently with one good pass,then flip your sandpaper on the non grit side and rub a couple of passes to get rid of a lot of marring left from sanding this will be easier to finish down the repair with less repetitive heat from the machine.use a mild compound and level down the scratch,your goal is to be 100 percent repair in your head so forget it as this will lead to burning the repair sometimes you can get 100 but we're not there to see the scratch.if you don't know what your doing leave it for someone who does goodluck.
 
My friend just bought this truck and sandpaper will make him lose his mind what about a compound to do by hand and no machine.
 
xxnonamexx said:
My friend just bought this truck and sandpaper will make him lose his mind what about a compound to do by hand and no machine.
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That scratch definitely isn't from a rock. Probably dragged across the hood, someone put something on the hood and dragged it across.

I agree. Wet sanding would probably do the trick in the hands of someone who is proficient at it and has good paint measurements. It is not the least aggressive method. But for someone who isn't proficient (I don't know your proficiency), and it's a brand new vehicle to boot, it's probably not the best car to learn on.

I would start with a pea sized drop of ScratchX on a MF cloth, and pick a 1/4" section of the scratch and work your finger into MF towel doing small circles for a bout 3 to 5 seconds, just to see how it reacts and if it's workable.

From there you might move onto the next aggressive, perhaps a polish on white pad with DA. Again, work a 1' x 1' section using 6 to 8 section passes. Give that a wipe and see how that comes out. A DA with proper pad will finish off nicely and will apply even pressure with consistent power. Remember, slower speed (4 or 5, not 6) and apply about 15lbs of pressure so you see there is rotation.

You would be surprised at the scratches I've got out with HD Speed (a level #2 cut polish).

If that doesn't really level it out, then you might then try a compound. Again, least aggressive first, maybe a Pinnacle Advanced Scratch Remover (#6).

But, the key is do a test spot, test spot, test spot, and start with the least aggressive method. It's always easier to increase aggressiveness, it's not easy to put clear-coat back if you are friend is not comfortable, unless you have a good body shop on hand.
 
xxnonamexx said:
My friend just bought this truck and sandpaper will make him lose his mind what about a compound to do by hand and no machine.
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I highly doubt you will be able to remove by hand.a improvement maybe.just try what you feel comfortable by hand then.
 
paul_g said:
I'm not sure what you mean by Scratches return?
ScratchX is a mild abrasive polish with a cut level of #2 (on a scale of 1-12).

I've used scratchX to not only remove fairly moderate random isolated deep scratches, but used it after rock chip repair to level down the touch-up paint after mild curing.

Some pic's of the scratch will help. General rule of thumb is if you can get a finger nail into the scratch, it's probably not going to fully come out, however, compounding followed by polish will minimize the visual effect of the scratch by leveling the clear around the scratch.

Somewhere on the forum is a depth chart (color coded) side view (sliced graphic) of how various scratches form into the clear and down to the base. At present I don't have that chart on hand.
Click to expand...
He is implying that after a car wash the fillers have gone and the scratch is more noticeable .
 
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