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Thread: Which one works best for small scratches in clearcoat?

  1. #1
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    Which one works best for small scratches in clearcoat?

    I have a 2013 challenger with small scratches from washing. Don't look like it goes thru the clearcoat. What would be best product to use? Fixer, Essence or Reflect. Or should I use all of them? Fixer then essence and then reflect?

  2. #2
    I love shiny things Merlin's Avatar
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    It depends on the extent of the swirl marks...

    Do you have a polishing machine?

    Can you post pictures?

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    Don't have a polishing machine yet will be getting one before coating. Don't know if they would show in a pic. they are real fine scratches.

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    I love shiny things Merlin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stoneone25 View Post
    I have a 2013 challenger with small scratches from washing. Don't look like it goes thru the clear coat.
    What would be best product to use?
    The "BEST" way to remove fine scratches (swirl marks) is to polish the paint with a Dual Action (DA) machine.
    This process can be done by hand but it is not recommended and you arms will hate you for the next few days.
    "You can not accomplish by hand what you can accomplish with a machine."

    You will need to polish before applying a coating. The polishing process removes the swirl marks from the paint.
    IMHO I like to use the least aggressive method first. I might suggest Essence via DA with a finishing pad to start.

  5. #5
    Senior Member The Guz's Avatar
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    I agree with Merlin. The least aggressive approach aka the test spot is the best way to determine what will work on the paint.

    Essence or Reflect on a polishing pad would be a good start. Essence will leave a layer of SiO2 in prep for a cquartz coating. Reflect is a pure polish.

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    Thinking of getting the Polish and protect kit with the 50 ml Cquartz Ti02. So probably use reflect then eraser.

  7. #7
    I love shiny things Merlin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stoneone25 View Post
    Thinking of getting the Polish and protect kit with the 50 ml Cquartz Ti02. So probably use reflect then eraser.
    Make sure Essence will (with a fine polishing pad) will remove the swirl marks (fine scratches) before you coat the paint.
    If not then you will need a compound (I might suggest Scholl's S3 if needed) with a medium orange or Meguiars MF cutting pad.

    What DA machine do you have?

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    IMG_20180925_173110.jpgIMG_20180925_173052.jpg Ended up buying the CQuartz TiO2 50ml Kit and CarPro GLISS Version 2 - 50ml Kit.
    also purchased CQuartz Dlux Wheel & Trim Coating 30ml (Sky Kit) and the FORTE Professional Windshield Coat 15ml KIT. Took advantaged of the black friday 25% off sale.
    will still have to get the reflect, iron x, eraser, and essence or reload. Can you put the coating over vinyl strips that are glossy?

  9. #9
    Senior Member The Guz's Avatar
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    That is a nice haul. You will have some remaining product going with the 50ml bottles. You could coat another car with the left over.

    You can coat over gloss vinyl as well.

    You may want to consider picking up a compound just in case you do need it. Clear Cut works well but does dust a bit. I have not used Scholl's S3 but if Merlin is recommending it then it must be good. Fixer is another option as it is a medium compounding polish. Think of it falling in between Clear Cut and Essence. Reflect is nice but if you are going to go with Essence then I would not pass that up and get a compound.

  10. #10
    Senior Member rlmccarty2000's Avatar
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    I would suggest watching a few videos on installing a coating if this is your first time. Use plenty of good light to avoid high spots. If possible pull the car into the sun to inspect for high spots. If you can’t use the sun try to have a second person check your work. Sometimes a second person will catch things you miss especially if you get tired when finishing the job.
    The Devil is in the Details.

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