[Bhbradley]

i just noticed small scratches over most of the body.

I think they happened when using my California duster

Car had fresh wax so I am surprised

I don't feel any Indention when I run my finger nail
Over the scratches. They are hard to see


I tried polishing compound but no luck.

Really would appreciate any suggestions on how to
Remove. Now that I know they are there it is all
I see when looking at the car

Thank you

Burt

[2002Z4CSS]

You may need to use a buffer with a foam pad and some 3M Finessit (sp) polish. Then cover with a good wax.

[Bhbradley]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

You may need to use a buffer with a foam pad and some 3M Finessit (sp) polish. Then cover with a good wax.

Thank you. Will give it a try !

[Chris65LeMans]

It sounds like you're describing swirl marks? When I had a black car, I had those show up all the time. Some Meguiar's carnuba wax would get it out until the next time they built up.

If that doesn't help, a clay bar may be your ticket. I don't have any experience using them, though. Back when I got my cars detailed by a guy at the office, they clay bar would get anything out.

Watch out with those power buffers. Without an expert hand guiding them, they can lead to MORE swirl marks.

After my Pontiac was painted, it had a decent amount of swirl marks that could be seen at certain angles. A waxing removed all of them. After about 3 or 4 washes, they are coming back - so I'll be waxing again after the next wash or two.

[NeighborsComplaint]

I was told to never dry wipe dust off your car, particularly a dark color as you run the risk of scratching the paint. Much better to mist with Detailer spray and wipe down. I can understand light scratches in the wax using the duster but deep scratches you can't even get out with polishing compound is pretty extreme. Was the car in the hot sun (softened paint) when you dusted it off?

I have a detail shop clay bar, buff and wax every spring and use only detail spray and a microfiber cloth to dust down my black 71.

[rexs73gto]

Go over the entire car with polishing compound & then use a good paste wax. If you can find it still the very best stuff is called liquid ebony. Its a liquid that you put on like wax but it makes black cars look great.

[Bentwheelbob]

It's impossible to not get micro scratches in paint, and with black they are more easily visible. Modern technology has taken buffers and compounds to a new level. It is extremely difficult to burn through paint with todays products unless you really try. With a black car I highly recommend you invest in a DA polisher and some topline pads and products. You'll be amazed at how good your paint will look when you are done. I like the Flex XC 3401 DA polisher and Wolfgang polishes which are made by Menzerna. If all you have are microscratches, use a light cutting pad with Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover, followed by a finishing pad with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze. Once that is finished apply Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant, followed a few days later with Menzerna CL Liquid Carnuaba wax. Buy plenty of microfiber towels and use them only for polishing your car.

Here's my Black Car sporting paint from 1985.

[6TEE8GTO]

People that have those will swear how great they are, and refuse to admit that rubbing dust over the surface of your paint is not a good thing. Been to so many shows where a guy is in the process of destroying his clearcoat while singing the praises of the famous California Car Duster. Once time I was sitting by my car, aat a show where there was a lot of gravel dust from a nearby construction project, watching this fellow scratching his deep blue paint, and I said something to him about it and like they typically do, he got very defensive about it and defended his beloved duster. Meanwhile, the sun angle was perfect to highlight the minute scratches that pretty much covered the whole car, so in the interest of truly trying to help the guy, I asked him to come over to my spot for a sec and humor me. I had him lean a bit and look where I was pointing to, and sure enough he says "Oh CRAAP!!" As now he can see what he has been doing to his paint with that thing...
I fully expect one of more of you reading my reply to staunchly defend your California Car Duster, to which I say "It's your car, do what you want with it"

[cr97ws6]

Ah yes, the California car scratcher!

[Jim Doran]

Originally Posted by 6TEE8GTO

One time I was sitting by my car, at a show where there was a lot of gravel dust from a nearby construction project, watching this fellow scratching his deep blue paint, and I said something to him about it and like they typically do, he got very defensive about it and defended his beloved duster. Meanwhile, the sun angle was perfect to highlight the minute scratches that pretty much covered the whole car, so in the interest of truly trying to help the guy, I asked him to come over to my spot for a sec and humor me. I had him lean a bit and look where I was pointing to, and sure enough he says "Oh CRAAP!!" As now he can see what he has been doing to his paint with that thing..."

So, what would have been a better approach at the show to him removing the gravel dust ? I would think a wet sprayer would make things worse, but interested to hear opinions.

[400 4spd.]

Jim, at that point he needs to leave it alone, a water hose is what you look for. Mist it to loosen it, then hose it down. I use a steady steam of water and lightly wash with my bare hand to prevent scratching a paint job. That's the best method I've found to prevent cloth scratches.
Regarding wax or glaze that removes scratches that "come back" later. You haven't removed anything. What you did was fill the scratches with a product that eventually washes out. The scratches don't return, they never left.

[Old Goat Racer]

It took me awhile to realize it, then I through my CD in the trash .

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by Jim Doran

So, what would have been a better approach at the show to him removing the gravel dust ? I would think a wet sprayer would make things worse, but interested to hear opinions.

The detail spray is made to remove light soil and dust. The liquid contains lubricants and surfactants that float the soil off the car. No need to wash the whole car down to remove light dust film.

[Greg Reid]

I live about half a mile down a dirt road so every time I take my car out I stop by the local car wash to spray it off with plain water. I then use a California 'Dry Blade' to squeegie the water off and microfiber the small remnants that I can't get to with the blade.
What do you guys think?

[G20]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I live about half a mile down a dirt road so every time I take my car out I stop by the local car wash to spray it off with plain water. I then use a California 'Dry Blade' to squeegie the water off and microfiber the small remnants that I can't get to with the blade.
What do you guys think?

I used to have a black car and would use that exact same water blade. It really worked great, sped up the process, and never left scratches. The car is long gone, but I still have and use the water blade.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by G20

I used to have a black car and would use that exact same water blade. It really worked great, sped up the process, and never left scratches. The car is long gone, but I still have and use the water blade.

That's good to know. I've been using it for 10~12 years but never on a car that had decent paint like my present one. Thanks for the input.