Removing Surface Scratches

[tj21792]

A storm in the Sierra's left our Black 04 ES 330 covered with ice and snow during Thanksgiving. As the snow and ice slid off it left light surface scratches on hood, top, and trunk. Tried to use Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze sold me by Lexus dealer, to no avail :( Any suggestions on what I should try before taking to be worked on by the detailer at the dealer?

[SW03ES]

First of all welcome to the club!

Second of all, NEVER let the dealership's detailer touch your Lexus, especially a black one. Don't even let them wash it. Dealerships generally do terrible detailing jobs.

In order to remove the scratches the paint is going to have to be compounded and/or polished by machine. You can do that yourself by purchasing a Porter Cable polisher and with the knowhow on this site or you can pay a professional to do it. Lexus black is very easy to polish because its so soft, but it scratches easily too as you learned.

[tj21792]

A storm in the Sierra's left our Black 04 ES 330 covered with ice and snow during Thanksgiving. As the snow and ice slid off it left light surface scratches on hood, top, and trunk. Tried to use Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze sold me by Lexus dealer, to no avail :(  Any suggestions on what I should try before taking to be worked on by the detailer at the dealer?

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Thanks for the quick feedback; I assume that when you say the 330 should be "compounded" you mean apply the clay I've been reading about in this forum to remove the scratches.

Boy, after reviewing all the the postings on this and other subjects, I'm confident that I can take care of most cosmetic problems on my LX myself ----- and save a budle of $$$ :)

Thanks again for setting me straight!

[SW03ES]

No, clay won't remove scratches. All clay does is remove bonded contaminants that are imbedded in the paint (what makes the paint feel rough). In order to remove scratches the paint will need to be buffed with some sort of polisher (be it a Random Orbit polisher like a PC or a rotary) and an abrasive polish to level out the paint and remove the scratches.

Don't expect professional level results your first time out, products don't make the final result, process does. Detailing is fairly easy once you have the process down but there is a learning curve involved.

[KY350]

I use scratch remover for light scratches and they all come out easily. Mind you, both of my cars are silver and hide very minor surface irregularities. I have never used scratch remover on a black car before. Perhaps you may want to test on the most inconspicuous area of the car to see how well it works. The reason I suggest this is because scratch remover will cost you just $10 and is a good starting point.

Otherwise, do as SW03ES suggests an buy a PC (approx $150) or pay a pro to fix ($???).

[SW03ES]

The problem with a scratch remover by hand on black is that you're likely to induce more marring when trying to polish out the scratches that are there. Its likely you probably just can't see this marring on the silver.

I'd go the PC route. Its an initial investment but with a black lexus you'll get your use out of it.

[KY350]

The problem with a scratch remover by hand on black is that you're likely to induce more marring when trying to polish out the scratches that are there. Its likely you probably just can't see this marring on the silver.

I'd go the PC route. Its an initial investment but with a black lexus you'll get your use out of it.

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Presicely why I was cautious of recommending using scratch remover without testing first.

I love black cars, but will never buy one as they are too hard to keep looking pristine.

[TOGWT]

The problem with a scratch remover by hand on black is that you're likely to induce more marring when trying to polish out the scratches that are there. Its likely you probably just can't see this marring on the silver.

I'd go the PC route. Its an initial investment but with a black lexus you'll get your use out of it.

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I agree

[1995_ES300]

I would use 3m's professional light rubbing compound. (clearcoat safe version) I have 2 bottles of the stuff and I love it. I wish I had a Porter Cable for it though. My gf's car was in the meguires booth at a carshow one weekend and they let us use the PC's for her car. Really a great investment, but alot of $$$. hope that helps...