I scratched my paint with my belt while cleaning it.
the scratches are very light but bother me.
I tried waxing and meguiars scracth x product.

what else can I do?
I dont want to repaint, the scratches arent deep but I cant remove them.

I had a big turd land on the right door of my 8. It was a hot day and it was like trying to get hardened cement off the car, some scratching resulted. I could use the same advice. :confused:

I would post pics but you can only see it under direct light
help

Did you try 5 or 6 coats of Zaino Z-5 (just on the scratched area)? Will take at least 3 to 4 to remove the scratch in my experience. If the scratch is light you shouldn't have any problems removing with Z-5 you just need to be patient because each coat will gradually lessen the scratch mark.

unfortunely, I dont have zaino
but you are saying apply 5 or 6 coats of wax to lessen or remove scratch.

Cut and Polish wax will work for most cases.

And finish with liquid wax will do

If deeper than that than turtose wax... or harder wax.
Get professional to do it will work better. There are a lot of them in Oz land - we hate repaint.

Also drop your trousers when you wash the car. :D

Originally posted by takahashi
Cut and Polish wax will work for most cases.

And finish with liquid wax will do


Also drop your trousers when you wash the car. :D

trust me I will drop them

Originally posted by mikeb
unfortunely, I dont have zaino
but you are saying apply 5 or 6 coats of wax to lessen or remove scratch.

Z-5 is specifically for removing swirl marks and scratches. Zaino is not WAX. Z-5 is a polish and it will "fill" the scratch -- just takes a number of coats to achieve the correct effect.

Man if you aren't using Zaino you are missing the boat. There is a detail shop in my office building garage and they do all the new cars for the local Porsche dealer -- I am under strict orders not to tell people that I Zaino my 8 myself -- gets me a few free washes ;) But I will NEVER let them wax my 8!

thanks guys

Originally posted by RXhusker
Z-5 is specifically for removing swirl marks and scratches. Zaino is not WAX. Z-5 is a polish and it will "fill" the scratch -- just takes a number of coats to achieve the correct effect.

Man if you aren't using Zaino you are missing the boat. There is a detail shop in my office building garage and they do all the new cars for the local Porsche dealer -- I am under strict orders not to tell people that I Zaino my 8 myself -- gets me a few free washes ;) But I will NEVER let them wax my 8!


Mike, its powerful stuff...I use Z2 ZFX and Z6. I used Gold Megs. for awhile, but Zaino is much better. Its also anti static so none of that daily dust that sits on the car.

Zaino is polymer sealant. Not wax. Wax yellows with time.


MikeB, go out and buy some Meguiars Step 1. This will easily remove the scratches/contaminants.
If for some odd reason, that does not work....try some Rubbing compound with a WET rag. *****NOTE****** after using the rubbing compound, the area will be lighter than the rest of the paint. Don't freak out. Simply use Meguiars Step1 to buff it back out.
Good luck
PM me if you need help

I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone here mention 3M's paint products.

I've used 3M products for 5 years. They aren't quite as readily available, but they have 7 different compounds grades, from coarse (machine use), to fine (hand use).

Most times I’m not able to completely remove a scratch, but I’m usually able to make it significantly less noticeable.

this is why i wash and wax the sled wearing sweatpants(shorts) and t-shirt(sweathirt)..........

Use turtle wax. Colour coded type. Apply VERY liberally & let it set overnight. Then apply more to polish off!

Covered scratches for me....

Originally posted by Pure Tremble
Zaino is polymer sealant. Not wax. Wax yellows with time.


MikeB, go out and buy some Meguiars Step 1. This will easily remove the scratches/contaminants.
If for some odd reason, that does not work....try some Rubbing compound with a WET rag. *****NOTE****** after using the rubbing compound, the area will be lighter than the rest of the paint. Don't freak out. Simply use Meguiars Step1 to buff it back out.
Good luck
PM me if you need help

ok I used meguiars step one and it helped but didn't remove complety

should I keep appliying?

Hello Mikeb
Sounds like the scratch is a little deeper, you will need to use a buffer max rpm1700 to remove with med cut foam pad with meguires 1(med cut) followed by meg 2 (fine cut) then meg 9 (ultra fine)use polishing foam pad then do entire car with meg 7(paint conditioner it will brighten your color) then seal it with meg 26 paste if you can find it, use a wax machine to apply 7 and 26 but remove by hand this can be your work out for the day.

wow, thanks I guess j/k

its a small scratch but I can see it and it drives me crazy

Keep using the meguiars Mike. It will come out. You can try rubbing compound as stated, but make sure you read my original post if you do. Is this your first scratch or something? :D The first is the hardest :(

thanks pure temble

I'll keep applying meguiars step one

After talking to my local panel beater a few weeks ago, he told me not to use cutting compound on my car as the paint becomes thinner every time its applied. My cars black with fine scratches here and there. Thanks MeZoomzoom. Best advice I've ever heard! but how often would your method be done? Any cautions?

I also have 2 slight scratches that I might have done during my oil change. The scratches are right above the egg crate vents on the left side. My question is how the procedure MeZoomzoom specifies, will effect the clear-coat?
Thanks to all for the info on how to repair.
RX-8 owners are the best!

now I'm confused
should I reapply meguiras or not

i've used meguiars gold class and scratch x on my car... sure it left the car looking and feeling good but the fine scratches were still there. I've never tried using the products Mezoomzoom recommended but I will sooner or later.

Any tips on buying a buffer?? I've heard an orbital buffer is for amateurs and rotary =) buffers are for pros. Which should I go for?

i own a black car and I've tried Turtle Wax colour wax with the colour stick to eliminate the scratches. Results didn't turn out good as I had smears of black everywhere. It simply didn't blend in with the original paint. I felt ripped off.

Hey guys,

Mikeb- if your scratch is deep use meg. #4 heavy duty cut. Be careful this cuts faster than meg.#1. Follow with meg.#9 swirle removal than wax area all this can be done by hand. Key is even pressure and speed.

TDS- Any time you use compounds to remove scratches light to heavy (deepest) you are actually removing paint to the level of the scratch. Meg.#7,26 will not remove paint and can done as much as your arm can take.

WILLZIE- to remove fine scratches the kind you get from car washing use meg.#9 with 1700 RPM buffer with polishing pad followed with meg,#7,26 applied with orbital buffer. As far as ams and pros I suggust the right tool for the right application. As you found out the colored waxs don't work.

and guys wax as much as you like I have never seen a waxy build up

Thanks mate. I have an orbital buffer already. Can I use that with meg#9 or is the orbital to weak to make a difference? Is a 1700RPM buffer known as a rotary buffer?

HI WILLZIE,

Orbital buffers are best used for appling wax and paint conditioners like meg. #26,7. Yes the orbital to weak, you need a power grinder aka buffer to use meg. #9 with a foam polishing pad get 3m bumpy pad. I found the MILWAUKEE brand to work the best it does not load up under pressure model # 5455.

Good luck mate

Thanks Mezoomzoom. Im going to buy a power grinder this week. Since Im in Oz, Ive never heard of Milwaukee. Off the top of my head we have Black n Decker, GMC, Makita and Ryobi. I'll most likely go for a B&D unless convinced otherwise.
So far all I know is to look for a 1700rpm power grinder. Anything else I should keep in mind?

I went to the Milwaukee power tools site and found ideal specs for buffer.

11amp 7/9inch Polisher capable of 1750rpm

Hope yall find this useful

Anyone in Aus know where i can one of these?

mike, I suggest you exhaust all your efforts by using elbow grease. I sure as hell would not go near my brand new car with any powered sander. Reapply Meguiars.

thanks, will do

just found a faint scratch on mine the other day, as if something was dragged as I polished or washed or something. Hardly noticeable but haven't decided on an approach to take care of it.

Originally posted by oosik
just found a faint scratch on mine the other day, as if something was dragged as I polished or washed or something. Hardly noticeable but haven't decided on an approach to take care of it.

Oosik... why don't you try to use Scratch X from Meguire... it comes in a tube toothpaste form and it makes the swirls that you make when you wash the car to go away - amazing stuff.

Originally posted by RXTACY
I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone here mention 3M's paint products.

I've used 3M products for 5 years. They aren't quite as readily available, but they have 7 different compounds grades, from coarse (machine use), to fine (hand use).

Most times I’m not able to completely remove a scratch, but I’m usually able to make it significantly less noticeable.

What he said. 3M makes a clearcoat polish that I use to remove or greatly reduce fine scratches by hand with a damp rag, and it has wax in it as well. 3M also makes a rubbing compound you can use before the clearcoat application if there is a deeper scratch, still not into the color.

If you're really brave, a little 2000 grit sandpaper (used wet) followed by the two 3M products will make it look perfect, but you will be removing some clearcoat. I did this more than once on my silver SVT with no ill effects, but don't think I'll try it on the black RX-8.

Originally posted by oosik
just found a faint scratch on mine the other day, as if something was dragged as I polished or washed or something. Hardly noticeable but haven't decided on an approach to take care of it.

Oosik, theres heaps of good advice at the top of this page.

its actually not swirls...don't have any swirls. this just looks like a small particle got caught and put an extremely feint line. i can just barely feel it with my finger nail.

might give that Meg a try since it's a small area.

anything I use the step one meguiars on
goes away but comes back after time

I found a slight scratch about a day or 2 after delivery. I used Meguire's Scratch X and then about 4-5 coats of Zaino Z2 (used with the accelerator). It is completley gone!

i was drivin on the freeway at night when theres a box laying in the middle of the lane i sorta swerved to the left and it hit the right end of the front bumper. i took a picture of it, thankfully no dents just scratches though i dont know how to really remove them and afraid to send them in to repaint....what product would you guys recommend?

try to buff it out with wax
that should get rid of some marks
if it doesn't get all the marks out you might need some repainting

mikeb...how did u end up getting the scratch out? I dont know if u remember, but rocks owned my car =/ at the beginning of july and yesterday i found some punk keyed my car on the right front fender right over the wheel....ill post a picture later

by getting a whole new bumper!

well over time the mark has become lighter
I just keep waxing the spot every other week