[David Holmberg]

A neighbors cat tried to jump on and walk around on my freshly waxed car. The hood has many small scratches that don't go through into the paint, just the clear coat.

I tried a normal wax, but in the sunlight and the right angles you can see them.

What is the best way to remove them?

It's a factory base coat / clear coat.

Thanks!

[Rob B]

Dave, if you know someone who knows how to use a good buffer or if you can, you could use a foam pad in 2 stages with something like 3M's Imperial microfinish followed by a different foam pad with their swirl mark remover. I don't have the part #'s in front of me but I think the microfinish is 06185 and not sure about the other but they have the bottles marked in steps to use. Any paint supple place should have it.

[400 4spd.]

A wax has no abrasives, so it isn't going to cut the scratches out. A fine compound is needed to clean it up, followed with a polish. Like Rob mentioned, 3M has some good products.

[jim darlington]

Same as above except wet sand with 2000 first.

[Jeff Hamlin]

IMO you have to kill the cat first then work on the cars finish.

[R68GTO]

A neighbors cat tried to jump on and walk around on my freshly waxed car.What is the best way to remove them?

A .22 should do the trick. Aim high, you don't want a hole in your hood. For a more dramatic affect, you can bump up to a .44 mag. Aim high with that also.

[6t7goat]

Start with the lightest abrasive polish or compound and do a small area to see if it removes the scratches, if not go to a more agressive compound. If it still does not come out some 1500-2000 wet on a sanding block or a paint stick should get it out. Then follow it up with compound and polish.

[Cammer-6]

if you leave a bucket of freshly drained antifreeze out,put a little tuna oil on top.
as for the car you might want to have a good detailer do it.
If not I would use 3M or Zaino.
I would be very careful using any sandpaper,some clear coats are very thin.

[TA-71]

If you drag a finger nail across the scratch and it does not catch a good micro abrasive should be able to work it out. If your nail catches it will most likely need some wet sanding. I highly recommend a product from Showroom FX, it is called Swirl Eliminator. It is a fine polish designed to level the paint, where a true compound removes paint till the defect is gone. Here is their website if interested www.showroomfx.com

[2002Z4CSS]

I would try some 3M Finesset and a buffer with a foam pad.

[David Holmberg]

At least there are several options.

I have a variable speed buffer, but a little nervous about using it.
Baby steps, I'll start small and work my way forward.

Thanks for the info!

[GT182]

David, try this..... http://www.quixx-usa.com/products/overview/47/In:en

It has a #1 rating.

If your fingernail doesn't catch in the scratch, do not use any sand paper. The factory clear coat is too thin.

[rememberfireball#22]

If you decide to do a little color sanding on a factory finish as Cammer said, be very careful. The factory clear can sometimes be very thin.

[Cammer-6]

Dave
how much are you saving by trying this yourself?
$50?
go to the dealer and ask who details their cars,ask them for a price
chances are its a mobile business and they are also hungry.

[irgoatmike]

I found small scratches on my freshly painted dash last year and asked the wife if our cat had gotten into the garage. She said and I quote, "Oh yeah, she likes to be garage kitty in the morning" Needless to say the kitty no longer gets to be "garage kitty". irgoatmike

[David Holmberg]

Originally Posted by Cammer-6

Dave
how much are you saving by trying this yourself?
$50?
go to the dealer and ask who details their cars,ask them for a price
chances are its a mobile business and they are also hungry.

If it's that cheap, sure. Normally I like doing most things myself, but I know when it's time to pay someone too. I won't wet sand it, but I'll give a buff/wipe on product a try.

You only see them when the light hits it just right, on a hazy day you don't see it. (I always see it, even in my nightmares)

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

I would try some 3M Finesset and a buffer with a foam pad.

I think 3M used to call it "Fine Cut" but it works great. Mequires makes a product called "Swirl Remover" which is a touch less abrasive. I use them both on a motorcycle with black paint and clear which always gets swirls in it.

Marc

[DOC]

Hook the cat to the buffer, The fur is soft enough to not burn through the paint. Just make sure to use plenty of compound. May not fix the current scratches but garunteed to not get any new ones from that cat.

[David Holmberg]

Doc, do I de-claw the cat first?

[aronhk_md]

Originally Posted by David Holmberg

Doc, do I de-claw the cat first?

LOL...that would make a fairly expensive buffing pad. And if you declawed it yourself it would, as the Brits say.....make a bloody mess.