Okay so I gave my truck a bath the other day and I notices that I have "several" fine scratched in the finish. My truck is sport red metallic and it appears as though the scratches are only in the clear-coat, but I can be wrong. Anyone recommend something to at least make them less noticeable?? I no the last time I waxed the truck it did not help much, so I assume there is something else I have to do.

Thanks...

They're called 'swirl marks' or 'spider webs', and yes, they're tiny scratches in your clearcoat. Washing & drying your vehicle are the most common ways swirl marks happen. Taking them out by hand is difficult. You'd need to use a quality dual-action buffer ($110 at most Lowes stores) and some quality automotive polish (not wax), or take it to a detailer and have them do it.

Go to this site, they answer a lot of questions regarding paint, wax, buffing, compounding etc:)
http://www.detailcity.org/forums/

The are not swirl marks, the are not that fine. They are clearly visible white scratches, but not deep enough to go through the base coat... Maybe if I can get a clear photo I will post what I am talking about.

Can you feel and indentation in the paint if you run your fingernail over them?

Go to this site, they answer a lot of questions regarding paint, wax, buffing, compounding etc:)
http://www.detailcity.org/forums/

Wow Towdog333 - interesting site. Now if I could only convince someone there to come over and demonstrate some of this stuff on my truck.):h

Wow Towdog333 - interesting site. Now if I could only convince someone there to come over and demonstrate some of this stuff on my truck.):h

Some of those guys might actually do it they are an odd bunch.

The are not swirl marks, the are not that fine. They are clearly visible white scratches, but not deep enough to go through the base coat... Maybe if I can get a clear photo I will post what I am talking about.



Regardless it will be the same fix. Also a little wet sanding would make it go faster, but careful not to sand through the clear.

Wow Towdog333 - interesting site. Now if I could only convince someone there to come over and demonstrate some of this stuff on my truck.):h
Like this site you can learn a few things :)

Regardless it will be the same fix. Also a little wet sanding would make it go faster, but careful not to sand through the clear.

Yeah, but if he wet sands, he's gonna have to use a rotary and a compound to get the finish back -- not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. If they're just a few scratches in a localized area, a consumer-line scrach remover and a little elbow grease may do the trick. If it's a bigger area, I'd still recommend a DA polisher and some semi-aggressive cleaner/polish before jumping right into sanding and buffing. ...Unless the scratches are deep enough to pass the fingernail test.

(Frozen001, it'd be nice if you posted back on your thread here so people can help you out... :cool: )

I did post back... Weather was nasty yesterday to take a picture...

I'll try the finger nail test a lunch time... I really do not want to get into wet sanding... Taking sandpaper to my finish is just a bit tooo scarry for me.:eek:

Yeah, but if he wet sands, he's gonna have to use a rotary and a compound to get the finish back -- not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. If they're just a few scratches in a localized area, a consumer-line scrach remover and a little elbow grease may do the trick. If it's a bigger area, I'd still recommend a DA polisher and some semi-aggressive cleaner/polish before jumping right into sanding and buffing. ...Unless the scratches are deep enough to pass the fingernail test.


:badidea: I agree wet sanding isn't for the novice

Chicken ):h :joke: It will probably take a few passes to correct the paint with a DA polisher by the way it sounds. So is it all over the truck or just in one spot? The stuff you will need to properly do this will run you $200 and will take a good day if not more since it's your first time. You could probably pay someone to do it for $300. You can read up at Detail City they can tell you everything you need and how to do it I recommend Poorboys products.

Factory clear is thin......even buffing you can nuke through it easy enough if you arnt carefull. Not trying to scare you just saying be carefull.

Don't let rat scare you, with a DA you have to almost try to burn through the clear just do some reading first.

I dont mean to steal your thread but it has to do with the same thing. I have something like hhe has also I can run my finger nail over it and dont feel and indentation. I was wondering what if a good buffing product I could buy and buff it out.

I dont mean to steal your thread but it has to do with the same thing. I have something like hhe has also I can run my finger nail over it and dont feel and indentation. I was wondering what if a good buffing product I could buy and buff it out.

I recommend Poorboys products.


You will kill yourself trying to do this by hand take look over at Detail City.

I dont really want to spend a lot at a shop or use a sander or anything like that. But if it can be buffed out then I will just put a little elbow grease into and :grd:

Yes it CAN be done by hand, you will have to wash and clay your truck first so you don't make it much much worse.

It is not all over the truck, just in a few isolated areas. The worst is near the top of the bed rail just where it starts to curve down to the fender. I have no idea how they got there, but it looks like something was rubbing on it just enough to scratch it area is like 2 foot long by 3/4" wide. I have owned the truck since new and do not evenn remember something being there to do it...

3M makes a system that works really well and doesn't cost a bundle. Most body shops use it or something like it when they do the same work. I think it is a 3 part system, but I am not sure. It has been a long time since I looked at it. Just need a proper angle type buffer and a little time. We used the last 2 stages on the Chevelle after wet sanding the clear and it came out perfect. No swirls even under fluorescent light!