ScratchX as a Polish

BlantonDetail

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Jul 31, 2011
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I just got the Meguiar's ScratchX in a kit I ordered.
I used the ScratchX on my car and got some serious scratches out of the paint. I was pretty impressed with it.
I don't have a DA and I'm wondering if this ScratchX would be worthy of using as a polish to apply by hand before waxing? I'm doing my mom's maroon Galant this weekend for her birthday and I would love to return it to her with as deep wet of a look I possibly can, with the products I have on hand. I've not used polish on anything yet, just wax. And the ScratchX is as close to any that I have, other than some 3m stuff on the washboy's shelf at work. I think it's for rotary though.
On my car, I have paint that pretty much doesn't show swirls. Is it a bad idea to use the ScratchX on this maroon Mitsubishi Galant on anymore than just where there's a few scratches?

Tony
 
Ive only used it to spot polish, but believe Mike Phillips did a deeper anaylsis on it.
 
could probably be used as a paint cleaner by hand. Try it on a test spot using a MF applicator and run the gamut i.e. on a washed and clayed car, do the scratch X, wipe off, wipedown if you want, then wax.

You could even put a tapeline on the trunk lid and see if the scratchx side looks better than the wax only side. I think you will see a difference on darker paints but maybe not lighter paint.
 
...On my car, I have paint that pretty much doesn't show swirls. Is it a bad idea to use the ScratchX on this maroon Mitsubishi Galant on anymore than just where there's a few scratches?

The accepted practice is to work from least aggressive to more aggressive, depending on the condition of the paint and your goals. Here's a chart showing where ScratchX fits in that range:

Autogeek Swirl Removers & Compounds Comparison Chart
 
I just got the Meguiar's ScratchX in a kit I ordered.
I used the ScratchX on my car and got some serious scratches out of the paint. I was pretty impressed with it.

It matters most when you're satisfied (impressed) with the results.

I'm wondering if this ScratchX would be worthy of using as a polish to apply by hand before waxing?

Worthy...Yes. It will take a while to do the entire vehicle by hand though.

I've not used polish on anything yet, just wax. the ScratchX is as close to any that I have

If I'm not mistaken...ScratchX has super micro-abrasives (SMAT)....and to me that means it has polishing agents/media.

Is it a bad idea to use the ScratchX on this maroon Mitsubishi Galant on anymore than just where there's a few scratches?

Refer to the above "will take a while......by hand though"

Tony

Too bad you don't have a DA. :(
ScratchX is an excellent swirl/scratch remover...IMO. I just don't use it to polish an entire vehicle. :)

Bob
 
Is it a bad idea to use the ScratchX on this maroon Mitsubishi Galant on anymore than just where there's a few scratches?

Only way to find out is do a larger test spot. Scratch X is up their on the scale of Meg's SMAT aggressiveness, just below Ultimate Compound.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...s-order-smat-products-might-surprise-you.html

Lots of folks have used Ultimate Compound by machine to do entire vehicles as it finishes well. If you are getting marring from the test spot using Scratch X and the defects on the car, minus the scratches, are slight you may want to consider Swirl X.

After working by hand I expect you'll have a DA on this year's Christmas Wish list. :buffing:

TL
 
Be careful. I used ScratchX to remove water spots on a black car, applied it by hand. Little did I know, it left micro-marring behind. It did the job in removing those blasted water spots that were in deep, however I highly recommend going over it with a pure polish and preferably with a DA. By hand simply won't do the job as well as you would like.
 
I'm in need of help.

After washing the car, in evening light, I noticed hundreds of fine scratches all over the paintwork. I am shattered, as I have recently clay barred, sealed, waxed the car, and the only thing done recently is wash and apply Eagle One wax as you dry before drying and then spray some Final Inspection to remove finger prints.

I spot tested with Scratch-X and nothing.....no change whatsoever.

So, I don't know how the scratches have appeared. But, now I am at a loss to know how to get rid of them. Am scarred to use Scratch-X 2.0 as it's more abrasive and am afraid to clean the new SUV until I know what happened to scratch up my car.
 
Be careful. I used ScratchX to remove water spots on a black car, applied it by hand. Little did I know, it left micro-marring behind. It did the job in removing those blasted water spots that were in deep, however I highly recommend going over it with a pure polish and preferably with a DA. By hand simply won't do the job as well as you would like.


I did the same thing on my last car, it was also black. Got rid of the water spots and bird etchings but the car had some serious hazing afterwards. Luckily i only did a small test spot first. Was my first attempt at paint correction and it scared me away from doing anything like that myself for a while.
 
A friend's 3 year old, somehow, threw a broom across the hood of my Dodge truck.

After I punted the kid across the street, I went to the local auto parts store and picked up some Scratch-X. I was away at college, so all my detailing stuff was at my parents.

I had very good luck using it by hand to remove the scratches- I may get the bottle back out as I think it would work in those hard to reach places, like under door handles, to remove scratches.
 
my daughter has a 2005 Toyota.....Black....was never waxed or polish in 4 years.........left outside all the time.....a mess........I used stratch x with a buffer on the whole car......made the car shine........and so smooth.....then I put ......Four Star total protection on top.........she was happy
 
I'm in need of help.

After washing the car, in evening light, I noticed hundreds of fine scratches all over the paintwork. I am shattered, as I have recently clay barred, sealed, waxed the car, and the only thing done recently is wash and apply Eagle One wax as you dry before drying and then spray some Final Inspection to remove finger prints.

I spot tested with Scratch-X and nothing.....no change whatsoever.

So, I don't know how the scratches have appeared. But, now I am at a loss to know how to get rid of them. Am scarred to use Scratch-X 2.0 as it's more abrasive and am afraid to clean the new SUV until I know what happened to scratch up my car.

Hope you don't mind answering a few questions, to provide additional details :) How exactly are you washing the car? I presume you using the two-bucket method, with good mitts and a proper car shampoo? Also, did you do any polishing before claying and sealing? Finally, in between washes, are you doing any QD wipedowns, or touching the paint in any way?
 
I used ScratchX as a polish with a white pad and got very good results on my black car. No hazing at all. In areas where I had light scratches, I used Ultimate Compound on an orange pad, first, then followed with the ScratchX on white pad. Finished with Collinite 476. Worked for me.
 
Hope you don't mind answering a few questions, to provide additional details :) How exactly are you washing the car? I presume you using the two-bucket method, with good mitts and a proper car shampoo? Also, did you do any polishing before claying and sealing? Finally, in between washes, are you doing any QD wipedowns, or touching the paint in any way?

Thanks for the help.

My washing routine is to use the 2 bucket method with Megs Ultimate wash n Wax or Mothers Carnauba Wash n Wax using a Microfibre noodle mitt. I dry with a micro fibre towel.

Here's the problem - we had water restrictions - tight ones which meant for 2 years, the car was washed by hand at a Magic Hand Car Wash.

After the restriction were lifted, I use a high pressure hose and a single bucket method and dried with a chamois. I also have applied Megs Scratch-X (the original) to some light fingernail scratches and have used Wet Look Sealant and Kitten Polish to polish the surface.

Then, I started reading this site because despite my polishing, I was unhappy with the rough finish. Yes, I polished a car with 2 years of build up. If only I'd known.

So, I have since clay barred the car, sealed with Wet Look and polished with EO Gel Wax.

I usually admire the paint in the bright sun, and have never noticed any scratches. Then, I washed the car a few nights ago, and in the late evening light and under fluoro have noticed cob webbing and scratches in the light clusters.

The only recent changes have been I use EO wax as u dry for the first time and before that have cleaned off finger prints with final Inspection.

I don't know if these are from before and I haven't noticed them or whether they are new.

I washed the mitt and towel and tried it on a small section of the rear light cluster of the SUV to see if either scratched the plastic as badly as what my car is scratched. No scratches whatsoever, so I am thinking it's not the mitt or towel or cleaning it may have dislodged foreign particles - but doubtful as they were washed pre me washing my car.

I really am stumped.

And am worried about Scratch-X 2.0 as I don't want to make more of a mess on the paint.
 
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I used ScratchX as a polish with a white pad and got very good results on my black car. No hazing at all. In areas where I had light scratches, I used Ultimate Compound on an orange pad, first, then followed with the ScratchX on white pad. Finished with Collinite 476. Worked for me.

go to UC..like the above...amazing stuff.....
 
Totally agree it makes me smile when I get the ultimate compound out of the trailer. I'm sure if you put the question out there and put beer in the same sentence someone in your area might be able to help with a DA.I know anything can be achieved here in Australia using,as we say THE BEER ECONOMY.
Sorry for yelling
Then laughing. Good luck.
 
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