ScratchX or Claybar

HEADRAT · 10 Jul 2006 at 12:18

Hi,

So I have some very fine swirl scratches on my car, what would be the best way to remove this, ScratchX or a claybar?

HEADRAT

wassap · 10 Jul 2006 at 12:22

Claybar only remove contaminants from paint, it will give you a smooth finish but wont take out swirl marks, which scratch x will.

Personally i dont rate scratch x, i prefer a proper rubbing compound.

Basically use claybar first and then scratch x/rubbing compunt, and then polish and wax

paradigm · 10 Jul 2006 at 12:22

Claybar won't remove scratches (even fine ones) it is purely for removing stuck on/engrained dirt.

HEADRAT · 10 Jul 2006 at 12:28

Ah OK thanks for the tip, I'm going to start with SratchX and then work up to rubbing compound if required.

HEADRAT

MrCake · 10 Jul 2006 at 13:10

There is no harm in using the claybar first over the swirls so at least when you come to the rubbing compound, you know there arent any tiny contaminents that you might be moving about making more of a mess.

lordrobs · 10 Jul 2006 at 13:46

My own preferance is 3M Perfect-It (T-cut on acid, leaves your paint looking like a hologram) followed by 3M Imperial Hand Glaze (gets rid of the perfect-it swirls). For very fine swirl marks just the Imperial Hand glaze might do the trick.

Firestar_3x · 10 Jul 2006 at 14:14

MrCake said:
There is no harm in using the claybar first over the swirls so at least when you come to the rubbing compound, you know there arent any tiny contaminents that you might be moving about making more of a mess.

Personally i would give it a good wash, stage 1 clean then scratch x.

eidolon · 10 Jul 2006 at 14:17

Firestar_3x said:
Personally i would give it a good wash, stage 1 clean then scratch x.

Scratch X is harsher than Stage 1 though so it would be better to do them in the reverse order.

Firestar_3x · 10 Jul 2006 at 14:19

eidolon said:
Scratch X is harsher than Stage 1 though so it would be better to do them in the reverse order.

I was just thinking about cleaning anything off the paint before you cut it with anything harder.

Doonhamer · 10 Jul 2006 at 14:19

Surely he would want to start light then go for something stronger if that dosnt work. Otherwise you risk taking off more paint than needed?

MarkST · 10 Jul 2006 at 17:38

Doonhamer said:
Surely he would want to start light then go for something stronger if that dosnt work. Otherwise you risk taking off more paint than needed?

That is generally the rule.

Remember, when you use ScratchX, work it in until it goes clear, like vaseline. You may also need more than one application.

Tesla · 10 Jul 2006 at 19:01

Will a rubbing compund remove the contaminants a clay bar does?