Meg Scratch X stupid question

[Reverend]

OK, another stupid question from this old man: I have never used Meguire's Scratch X before. Is it possible to get a decent result using this by hand or do i have to use the machine? I just have a few places around the car to hit and was wondering about dragging out the power cord and DA or giving it a try by hand.
Any response will be appreciated and read by one of my clones.

[sunrunner_pei]

On my Platinum (silver) Vibe, it worked wonders when applied by hand. It doesn't do squat on my Black Grand Am. :(

[92CamaroRS]

best results usually come from 3-4 applications by hand.

[Tomtom9401]

I heard that Megs scratchX isnt the real deal, it has some abrasives but the rest is fillers hiding the scratches.

[Greengo 07]

all "scratch removers" are not the real deal, the only real way to remove scratches is to buff them out and then protect that area,

[92CamaroRS]

scratch x is a compound, its one that is intended to be apply'd by hand. its not a wonder product, but it does do what it is intended to do. its out there for people that have a scratch, but don't own or want to pay to have the scratch buffed. anything that is done with a buffer CAN theoretically be done by hand, but it would take much more product and much more time.

[Nighthawk243]

The trick with ScratchX is that it needs to be throughly worked in. It is not a Wipe on/Wipe off product.

[99blackSE]

It doesn't work bad for very minor stuff, good for door handles and the like.

[coupe]

Originally posted by Tomtom9401
I heard that Megs scratchX isnt the real deal, it has some abrasives but the rest is fillers hiding the scratches.

Wrong.....very very wrong


Originally posted by Greengo 07
all "scratch removers" are not the real deal, the only real way to remove scratches is to buff them out and then protect that area,

Also very wrong, very very wrong.


Here is some links on how to use it:
http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1516

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7011

[Tomtom9401]

Coupe who are you to tell someone that there wrong? I dont see any where on the links you provided, that it says it doesnt add something to fill in the scratches. It just says it contains diminishing abrasives. Just because it has diminishing abrasives doesnt mean that all the scrathes are gone... You could be right but i mean who are you to just come in and tell someone that, no your wrong blahblah, and not show any proof or anything.

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by Tomtom9401
Coupe who are you to tell someone that there wrong? I dont see any where on the links you provided, that it says it doesnt add something to fill in the scratches. It just says it contains diminishing abrasives. Just because it has diminishing abrasives doesnt mean that all the scrathes are gone... You could be right but i mean who are you to just come in and tell someone that, no your wrong blahblah, and not show any proof or anything.

search the detailing section for posts by rand and see what comes up, do some reading, and then rethink your current post.

[djdanger]

:lol:

Agreed Cory!!!

TomTom ........Coupe KNOWS finishes.

[Nighthawk243]

Originally posted by Tomtom9401
Coupe who are you to tell someone that there wrong? I dont see any where on the links you provided, that it says it doesnt add something to fill in the scratches. It just says it contains diminishing abrasives. Just because it has diminishing abrasives doesnt mean that all the scrathes are gone... You could be right but i mean who are you to just come in and tell someone that, no your wrong blahblah, and not show any proof or anything.

The Scratch X is a compound. It doesn't FILL in anything. What a compound does is remove some of the clear coat to remove the defect. Its a dmininishing abrasive. What it does is remove that defect, and after working it in for awhile, it breaks down into a polish.

[Reverend]

Thank you all for the info and the links. I have never used this before and wanted to give it a try. Might try it with my 6 inch DA.
Thanks a lot.

[Tomtom9401]

http://www.driveit.com/megscratxbrf.html

just reading on this link but in the description.... whats that... it says "it doesnt just fill in scrathes" whats up with that then?

[Tomtom9401]

http://www.ls2.com/forums/printthread.php?s=&threadid=510981

whats that, that guy said "you can hide" some scrathes with ScratchX

[Tomtom9401]

and some last ones from just one page of google search on ScratchX...

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-SCRATCH-Scratch-Swirl-Remover/dp/B000CNO39E
http://www.autogeek.net/megscratxfin.html

So tell me guys, if it doesnt fill in the scratches why do all these say that is does?

[Big Joe]

Scratch X is the real deal. Anyone who knows how to use it the right way will tell you this. Obviously people who don't know what there doing will argue with you about it because they aren't getting the results they should be.

[RazorDX]

Originally posted by Big Joe
Scratch X is the real deal. Anyone who knows how to use it the right way will tell you this. Obviously people who don't know what there doing will argue with you about it because they aren't getting the results they should be.

:agree:

I've had great success with it to clear up the scratches around the lock cylinders on my doors and decklid.

EDIT: And after several wash and wax cycles, they are still gone. It takes time and effort to get it done properly, but it works.

[Tomtom9401]

Thanks guys thats the only reason i was confused, ive read so many places that ScratchX has fillers but i mean if yall say it works i guess it does lol.

[Nighthawk243]

Tom, You've misread the first link you provided.

When it says "It doesnt just fill in" it means that it doesn't just fill them in like some other products might... It means it DOESNT FILL IT IN. It later says in the descriptions it uses a mild abrasive to remove defects. It's a rubbing compound.

In the second link, he said hide, NOT "FILLS IN". If I use Scratch X, it removes the defect. Some people would interpret that as "Hiding" imperfections.

Third link. Amazon says: "SCRATCH X does more than just fill in and mask the problem." Again, its like the first link. Its saying that the product is not like other 'scratch removers' that fill in scratches and mask them from view until later. It's the same with the last link.

3/4 of the links you provided completely confirms that it doesn't fill anything in. The LS2 forum one is poorly worded anyways, and doesn't even directly state that it fills in anything.

[Tomtom9401]

How would anyone mistake "it doesnt just fill it in" for "it doesnt fill it in like others"? That makes no freaking sense at all.. did you take grammar class? I mean ive all ready stated that yall are probably right but i mean i really do not understand how you could say thats what it means... and then please explain how this is poor worded? "You can hide minor scratches with scratch-X by meguiars and with some gold class wax from what I have seen in the past, but the only way to get rid of them permanently and properly would be with a PC and some good products." Sounds like pure fine good ol correct english to me. Yall are so defensive about meg's products... jeez

[RazorDX]

Jeebus dude, calm the hell down. We aren't defending a product, we are making sure the information we spread to fellow members is accurate. I don't see why you have such a problem with that.

[Tomtom9401]

That was a joke i wasnt like angry or anything i was laughing the whole time during the reply b/c i dont see how someone could try to play it off like it doesnt say what it says. Its hilarous lol. I all ready posted that yall are probably right i was just confused b/c i read so much saying it fills scratches. So jeebus dude you calm down lol :)

[Nighthawk243]

A joke... right. :roll2:


I knew a girl who always would say insults, then retract them by saying "just kidding!" when it was apparent she was backed into a corner.

This is the same girl that keyed my previous vehicle. I have a low tolerance for people who do the same as she does.

[coupe]

Originally posted by Big Joe
Scratch X is the real deal. Anyone who knows how to use it the right way will tell you this. Obviously people who don't know what there doing will argue with you about it because they aren't getting the results they should be.


Thats the problem with detailing products. People dont use it the right way and then swear up and down it does not work or that it sucks. Until someone comes along and shows them the right way to use it they then realize their error. To make matters worse when on a forum, i or someone else, cannot show someone how it is supposed to be used. So i linked a few *how-to* threads from megs showing the correct way to use it.

The problem with working by hand is its extremely difficult to break down the dimishing abbrasives therefor if the paint finish is very hard or the scratches are to deep you wont be able to remove them, its not the products falt.

I used to correct paint by hand for years, i dont recomend even trying to be honnest unless its a small area and you have the time.

[Nighthawk243]

Originally posted by coupe
Thats the problem with detailing products. People dont use it the right way and then swear up and down it does not work or that it sucks. Until someone comes along and shows them the right way to use it they then realize their error. To make matters worse when on a forum, i or someone else, cannot show someone how it is supposed to be used. So i linked a few *how-to* threads from megs showing the correct way to use it.

The problem with working by hand is its extremely difficult to break down the dimishing abbrasives therefor if the paint finish is very hard or the scratches are to deep you wont be able to remove them, its not the products falt.

I used to correct paint by hand for years, i dont recomend even trying to be honnest unless its a small area and you have the time.

Correcting paint by hand is like mowing the lawn with a pair of dull scissors when you have a pefectly fine riding mower in the garage. ;)

[Reverend]

From what I can learn from the links and other posts, this stuff will work but my best bet is use the DA, not try by hand. I have several spots on trunk lid and rear fenders where it looks like the previous owner sat boxes on them while opening the back door or something. They appear to be very shallow and I don't think they are through the CC but might be.

[coupe]

Originally posted by Reverend
From what I can learn from the links and other posts, this stuff will work but my best bet is use the DA, not try by hand. I have several spots on trunk lid and rear fenders where it looks like the previous owner sat boxes on them while opening the back door or something. They appear to be very shallow and I don't think they are through the CC but might be.

Can you catch the scratches when you run your finger nail over them?

[Reverend]

You can see the scratches easily but they can not be felt by fingernail or guitar pick.

[coupe]

Well that means you can remove them 100% or very close to 100%, thats a good sign.

[Reverend]

Again, thanks for all the info. Most of the scratches came out pretty easy. Still have a few that may need some touch up paint to fill them in. Now my next prob with this thing. Where is the label with the paint code on these things? 96 SE. I looked at the door frame, under hood (bonnet for the brits on here) and can not find it. Where did they hide it? I know it has to be there somewhere.

[sunrunner_pei]

The RPO code list is on the underside of the spare tire cover inthe trunk. :) The paint code is on there as well.

[Reverend]

Thanks! That explains why I have been unable to find my paint code. That cover is missing on my car. Is there another way to track the code?

[sunrunner_pei]

A dealership may be able to retrieve your code through looking up your VIN. Worth a try, anyway. Give 'em a call. :)

[Blackhawk]

A parts store may be able to do the same, my local Auto Value was able to get the mix sheet and color code from my VIN.