Paint - Scratches, Swirl Marks, Other Surface Damage
90jaguar03PAINT CARE SECTION: 76
No : 52
Model: ALL Date: MARCH, 1990
KEY POINTS: MEGUIAR'S PRODUCTS
Meguiar's Inc. products can be used to produce a high gloss finish and/or to remove paint scratches, swirl marks, and other surface damage on vehicles incorporating a Clear Over Base (COB) paint finish. These products should be used in conjunction with the following buffing and/or wet sanding procedures.
Meguiar's Hi-Tech Finesse Buffing Materials:
W-1000 Foam Polishing Pad (811 diameter for rotary buffer) W-5500 Foam Polishing Pad, 5-1/2" diameter for rotary buffer W-6000 Foam Polishing Pad with built-in dual action adaptor
NOTE: Do not use a wool pad. Use of any pads for buffing or polishing other than foam pads may result in buffer swirl marks being left in the paint. Use a separate dedicated pad for each of the liquid products listed below.
The following liquid products are listed in order of abrasiveness with the least abrasive at the top:
M-0932 Swirl Remover # 9 M-1132 Quick-Step # 11 (combined swirl remover/cleaner) M-0232 Cleaner # 2
50/50 Alcohol/Water Solution - for testing in small area to ensure defect has been removed. A polish must be re-applied over tested area.
Towels - Use only 100% cotton terry cloth towels. Any polyester content in the towel may produce scratches in the paint.
Meguiar's Hi-Tech Finesse Sanding Materials:
S-2005 Sand Paper 2000 grade (1500 & 1200 also available) E-7200 Backing Pad for sand paper E-2000 Tack Sponge (terry cloth towel could be substituted) M-0016 Hi-Tech Car Wash (wet sanding lubricant) (NOTE: Please do not substitute as not all washes are safe to use in a shop envirorment).
Always use the least abrasive products to complete the repair. Some repairs may only require polishing, while some may require cleaning then polishing. Others may require sanding and polishing. Swirl marks and minor scratches all vary in depth but can usually be removed using the following procedure:
Buffing Procedure:
1. Clean and dry the vehicle in a shaded area. Before buffing, the painted surface must be cool to the touch.
2. Apply liquid # 9 Hi Tech Swirl Remover to the foam pad of the DA sander and place it on the panel to be buffed. Before starting the buffer, spread the liquid over the panel with the pad.
NOTE: A dual action sander with buffer attachment and foam pad (W-6000) is the safest method for buffing without swirl marks. A rotary buffer at 1200 to 1700 rpm with foam pad (W-1000) may also be used.
3. Hold the buffer flat against the surface while buffing. Move slowly across the surface using long, straight overlapping passes. DO NOT buff dry. Wipe the residue with a clean, soft terry cloth towel.
4. Evaluate results on test area only with spray mixture of 50/50 alcohol and water. Polish must be re-applied over test area.
5. If faint swirl marks or scratches still exist, switch to Quick-Step # 11 using a dedicated pad and rotary buffer and repeat the procedure.
6. If more severe scratches remain, use cleaner # 2 with a rotary buffer again using a dedicated buffing pad.
NOTE: Always use separate pads for each liquid and clean the pads frequently.
7. After using # 2 cleaner, apply # 11 or liquid swirl remover, using a dual action sander or rotary buffer.
If scratches are too deep for buffing removal, use the following procedure:
Wet Sanding Procedure:
If some scratches are too deep to be removed by cleaning or polishing, a very fine wet sanding process followed by buffing is recommended.
1. Clean the vehicle in a shaded area. The painted surface must be cool to the touch before sanding.
2. Soak the sand paper and tack sponge in water with a small amount of liquid wash # 00 for a lubricant. Soak for 15 minutes minimum (overnight is ideal).
3. Begin wet sanding with 2000 grade paper on a backing pad. Hold the tack sponge (or equivalent) over the surface and squeeze out a sufficient amount of water while sanding. Sand in one direction only, 12-15 strokes. Do not sand in a circular motion.
4. Use the tack sponge (like a chamois) to dry the surface for inspections. If the scratch remains, wet the surface with tack sponge, resume sanding with 2000 grade paper or change to 1500 or 1200 grade for faster cut. Keep surface flushed with water from tack sponge during sanding.
NOTE: Always finish sanding with a 2000 grade paper.
5. After sanding is complete, use the tack sponge like a chamois to dry the surface.
6. Follow the previously described buffing procedure, beginning with # 2 cleaner and finish with # 9 or # 11. Spot check the area as needed with the 50/50 alcohol/water solution.