Minor Scratch removal

[NickBMWZ4]

Hello All,

I have some very minor scratches, probably just the top layer but it does show the lighter colour beneath. Can anyone recommend a scratch removal I can use myself. I've seen many videos with WD40 but that just seems crazy.

Nick

[Busterboo]

The WD40 story's nonsense. Just go to your local dent repair man, who'll do the job better than you can and cheaper than a detailer.

(And, yes, I mean dent.)

[RustyZ4]

yes the WD40 is BS, Meguair`s Ultimate Compound, with a bit of elbow grease, will easily take out minor scratches, or if you are feeling brave a DA polisher, but the compound is the cheap and easy option

[garnierz4]

3 products you need for this: Farecla G3, Meguilars Ultimate Compound, regular polish.

Steps:
1. Clean the area.
2. Farecla G3 - apply it by hand with a soft, wet cloth. Rub in on the affected area in a circular motion for a couple of minutes. Its reasonably abrasive and will remove medium depth scratches. Make sure you use the pads of all 5 fingers and dont press too hard with a single finger. Make sure you use it with water. Do not use on a large area until experienced.
2. Meguilars Ultimate compound. - same as above but less abrasive. It will remove any swirling caused by the G3 and give a better result. Don't be shy with the elbow when using the meguilars, 2-5 minutes of hand application should give a good result.
3. Any old regular polish. Apply over area to finish the job.

Doddle.

[TR4man]

Or you could use Meguiars

[NickBMWZ4]

Cheers for all that info guys. I’ll wait for a sunny day and get working. I seem to find more and more everyday.

[huytonman]

You seem to be describing a scratch that has gone through the clear coat then the paint colour itself and has reached the primer - if this is the case then I dont see how any amount of polishing will improve the situation; you will need to apply new paint to cover up the scratch first. You could have a go with touch up paint and then use the polishing options mentioned previously but I would suggest that you find a local paint shop who can take care of this professionally for you - its very easy to make a real mess of your paint by trying to sort of minor marks.

[step_change]

As Keith says, if the scratch is white (i.e. you can see the primer), no amount of polishing is going to remove that. Wash with soapy water on it - if you can still see the scratch through the soapy water then it is through to the primer (if the water "covers" the scratch then you *can* polish it out with cutting compound or light wet and dry sandpaper- the water fills the scratch if it's just in the top coat and thus hides the scratch). If it's through to the primer - the scratch is white [or even rusty] - then it is a paint touch up job. It is possible to do this yourself if its a very fine scratch with a Halford's (yes seriously) touch up kit for £12.99. Or take it to a local dent devil type of person for a fraction of what a panel respray would cost.

I touched up my old Z4 bumper (plastic) when I was too aggressive with an orbital polisher and burnt the paint.