Scratch Buffing Secrets, Who's Got Em?

[mschuep]

I've had an 85, pearl white, 911 targa w/ original paint for a few months now. Overall it is in great shape, and has been garaged since inception (thank you uncle Tom).
Like any 20 year old car, there are a few minor, superficial scratches, similar to those that I have buffed out on other cars. I don't want to use an electric buffer. I'm also not crazy about putting a whole lotta elbow grease into the waxing process for fear of inadvertently making any more such blemishes. Any tips from wiser, more confident pelicanheads, or am I just bieng a sissy?

-Matt

[DW SD]

That's a single stage paint. Pay for a pro to buff it out, that's the fastest and probably easiest. Look for a recommendation from the board. If you do it yourself, there is no magic, just lots of elbow grease. Also, if you are a pca member, you can review the paint advice by Paternak (archives are searchable at pca.org). I believe his advice is to mix up some blue corral metal polish with P21S pre- wax-prep and polish out by hand. Though there is some abrasive properties to the mixture, that combo is far less harsh than a rubbing compound and will polish your paint. I've used it on single stage and clear. A body shop may be do a color sand and polish, which would probably make it look new.

Doug

[sammyg2]

3M makes a product called perfect-it.
It is a polishing glaze that is designed for use with a foam rubber pad (also a 3M product).
They have two versions, one for light colored paint, the other for dark.
Itr works very well probided you follow the directions exactly.

I say either use a product like this, or pay a pro to do it.

[911pcars]

I'm not familiar with the product that SammyG suggests. If it's like other "glazing" products, they temporarily fill the scratches, not remove them. The next wash will reveal the scratches again. Many shops use this product on black cars that are notorious for showing swirl marks. It's cheaper/quicker than removing the scratches.

I would look for a pro detailer who will use a foam bonnet and the correct Meguiar or 3M product to remove the swirl marks w/o glazing compound. Agree upfront so there are no surprises.

MHO,
Sherwood

[Bill Douglas]

If it's only a few minor ones; try rubbing them out with toothpaste, it's a pretty mild abrasive. And you will need some wax on the area aferwards.

[sammyg2]

http://www.autogeek.net/3mperswirmar1.html

[cyprusx]

The following is a MUST have item!

http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polishers.html

Not only will your experience be much easier, the results are phenominal. Order the pad kit with the Porter Cable. After your first use, you will wonder why in the world you waited so long to get one. I sure did... I ordered the polisher and pad kit from this outfit and have been extremely happy.

[scottb]

Rick nailed it...the Porter Cable polisher is a great product, and it's virtually idiot-proof. The results are incredible, and there's low risk of harming the paint. If you don't want to invest a bunch of elbow grease, the PC is the way to go, IMHO.