Stupid question on buffing out paint scratches
 

When I was installing the clear bra on my wife's Mini, I used a sponge to clean up some bird $hit and then sprayed alcohol all over the hood to get any residual wax off. Well, I accidentally used the scotchbrote side of the sponge for a few wipes and it scuffed up the paint. The car is sort of an eggshell white and we want to sell it now. That's the only flaw on the car, so I'd like to get it fixed. I have an orbital buffer, but don't know what to use on these scratches. Any ideers?

sell it cheap. :)

You could try a slow speed orbital poisher and a micro polish. I have used this method on repaints to give a mirror like finish. But, it all depends on how deep the scratches are and whether the car is clear coated.

I think it is clear coated. Can I only do this in warm weather, or can I do it now? From eBay and Craigslist, I think this would go for $19k. It has 12k miles, is 2006 and the only mods I've done to it are adding HID's, the clear bra and leather mirror bras. Paint blemish would probably be invisible to anyone who's not a car nut. But I want to make it perfect.

You need a buffer that will go 3,000 rpm or so (not the cheap/slow wax buffer thing from WalMart), a 3M foam finishing pad and 3M Perfect-It finishing glaze. That will pull it out.

You could also look at the Griot's Garage kit for $200. Both the 3M and Griots compounds use a combo of clay, di water, and super fine abrasives to bring the gloss back and pull the scratches out.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/11750.do

And yes, get it in a heated garage.

I have the Craftsman buffer. Looks like a steering wheel. Can't remember if it's adjustable or all one speed.

In one small spot like that, just use a fine polish and a cotton towel and buff it out by hand.

Just make sure that it is a fine polish, and that it is designed to be used by hand. Polishes designed to be used with a buffer do not work when used by hand.

Something like this should work fine:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c..._1979_14148328

Rick,
I suggest not to gain experience on a car you're going to sell or keep. It doesn't take many 3000 rpm rotations to burn or remove too much paint. Take it to a pro detailer and have it done, the entire hood. If the scratches aren't too deep (probably not with Scotchbrite), I think the solution is to buff with a polishing compound. The detailer will know the depth of the scratches and the appropriate compound to use.

If you insist on DIY, practice on one of your Bimmers first (just kidding).

Sherwood

Do what the recommends. It is not that difficult.

I agree.

2000 grit wet sand lightly out the rougher scratches. Just don't over do it.

3M Rubbing compund to remove the 2000 grit.

3M Polishing coumpund to remove the Rubbuing compund.

3M Imperial hand glaze.

Wax.

It'll look like it never happened,,,,,,,

EDIT: ALWAYS go front to back to avoid swirls!!!

That's too much. Start with the polishing compound. If that doesn't work, then move up to the harsher compounds and/or wet sand.

Always start light, see if it works, and move up the harshness scale until you get the result you want. Most minor scratches can be removed with light compounds, far before you have to get to wet sanding.

If 3M Imperial hand glaze doesnt do the trick take it to a detail place. My Mini had a few scratches a local place fixed for ~$150. Not worth the risk to screw it up.

3M imperial hand glaze won't work. It has no polishing qualities at all (at least nothing to speak of). It is only a temporary glaze or "fill" for very, very minor swirling. You are going to need something that does have some abrasive/polishing ability.

When you use a light polish like 3M polishing compound, or Meguire's fine cut, and a towel, there is ZERO risk. You'd have to buff on it for three days straight to do any damage.

+1000, a couple swipes of scotchbrite will come out by hand. I would use my buffer, as I have one and use it often, but I would not think twice about going at it by hand with about any name brand of polishing compound if I was not comfortable with or did not have a buffer. This is a "no brainer" 15 minute job.

Show us the scratch.

If you step away from the computer you will be able to check if your Craftsman is adjustable or just one speed. We'll be here waiting. :D

Actually, I can't reach my buffer without a big production. It's on a shelf above my 993, which I'd have to move out of the garage to reach and then my bike is parked behind the 993 and we always have a car in the driveway behind that. Anyone who wants to steal my 993 will have their hands very full. The scratched area is very hard to see unless in sunlight and you know what you're looking for. But to a car nut like me, it screams out at me every time I look at the car. I'd hate to have a sale go south because of that.

Everyone's interest probably leaped at "clear bra on my wife's Mini" and you had better hope she doesn't see that post!;)