Minor Scratches in Paint!

[1goodsinner]

I've got some minor scratches in my paint on my tank and rear fender.I've tried Harley-Davidson's "swirl and scratch remover" and it worked very little.What can I use to get rid of these minor scratches in my paint?Rubbing compound or some sort of wax?

 

[FST954]

Stay away from rubbing compound
Might want to try a clay bar

 

[K9Anniv]

I've got some minor scratches in my paint on my tank and rear fender.I've tried Harley-Davidson's "swirl and scratch remover" and it worked very little.What can I use to get rid of these minor scratches in my paint?Rubbing compound or some sort of wax?

If the scratches are light/surface, somebody who knows what they're doing with a variable speed orbital buffer should be able to fix you right up.

 

[LamboV12]

The only way to get out minor scratches is to buff them out. People often to realize this, but often times it’s the cloth you use to wash or dry you bike that can leave those faint spider web like scratches. You can pay someone to do it or invest in a buffer. I detail my own cars for shows and have been using a buffer for years. For about a C-Note you can get a Porter Cable random orbital buffer – a random orbital will not burn your paint like a rotary would if you are not careful. Can’t screw it up. Many products out there like Meguiars DACP , 3M Finesse IT, etc. In fact with a buffer, even the HD stuff would probably work.

If you just want a temporary fix, you can put a “glaze” on it to hide them. Meguiars makea Mirror Glaze and it basically fills the scratches – works OK until you wash the bike, it will wash out the Glaze and you have to reapply.
I use a Porter Cable 7424 – Here’s a link

Dual Action Orbital Polishers and pads: Porter Cable 7424 : Porter Cable 7424XP: Lake Country Buffing Foam Pads

 

[kmalysa]

I've got some minor scratches in my paint on my tank and rear fender.I've tried Harley-Davidson's "swirl and scratch remover" and it worked very little.What can I use to get rid of these minor scratches in my paint?Rubbing compound or some sort of wax?

DO NOT USE RUBBING COMPOUND!!!!! A professional, using a variable speed buffer something like Mequiar's Diamond Cut 2.0 then Mequiar's Swirl remover 2.0 can definately make the paint look brand new.

If these are very light scratches as from dragging a California Dust Buster over it, then hand polishing might work.

Recommeneded hand polishing... Can try the Mequiar's Swirl remover 2.0 , then Meguiar's Show Car Glaze#7, then Meguiar's Yellow wax. This works perfect on my '05 all black paint. Apply with foam applicators, and remove with microfiber towels (to maintain afterwards, use only the last two)

I know it looks like I must be a Meguiar's salesman, but I am not. I ran my own professional detailing business for several years, and also did several custom paint jobs over the years. I have tried many many products, and simply found Meguiar's to be a great user friendly product.

 

[1goodsinner]

Thanks a lot guys for the useful info.I'm glad i can rely on "Dog" owners on this site to help me out!!!

 

[K9Anniv]

...I know it looks like I must be a Meguiar's salesman, but I am not. I ran my own professional detailing business for several years, and also did several custom paint jobs over the years. I have tried many many products, and simply found Meguiar's to be a great user friendly product.

I agree! :2thumbs:

I've tried them all over the past 20 years, but came back to settle on Meguiar's and 3M for my paint issues & care.

Plus, Meguiar's has a lot of helpful "how-to" videos on their website...check them out!

 

[Bmarchant]

I'm a big fan of Mequiar's Swirl remover 2.0 too! I had some scratches in my tank, and I used Mequiar's Swirl remover 2.0, a foam applicator and took the scratches right out. Made the paint come alive too.