[florincmf]

Good afternoon,

Someone scratched my car the other week on the driver's door. (see picture attached). Is there any way I can fix this at home by following this guy's tutorial. I would love a bit of DIY work to do over the weekend.

(guy's tutorial)

View post on imgur.com

(scratches) If you put your hand over them you don't feel them at all which I believe it means that they're not deep.

Any advice is much appreciated in how I can get this fixed

Regards,
Florin

[Billfitz]

That's the right method if the scratch is very shallow. Try it, but it should only take a dozen or so swipes with the 3000g to erase the scratch. If it takes more than that the scratch will need filling.

[2015F31]

You may be able to use a compound polish and a random orbital polisher. Work from more 'course' to less with the polishes and pads. If you can't feel them, you may be able to get most out with a good polishing.

[Billfitz]

If you have a RO polisher you can use it instead of rubbing out by hand, but the wet sanding with 3000g is still required with a scratch, otherwise you'll be there for an hour trying to get rid of it with just compound, and still may not succeed. I don't bother using 5000g, as I keep four grades of compound and polish on hand, the most aggressive rendering no need to wet sand with 5000g. I also don't bother to break out my RO for a small scratch, as I can rub it out by hand in just a couple of minutes.
I also start wet sanding with 2000g, following up with 3000g, but I wouldn't recommend 2000g to a newbie, as it can rub right through the clear coat if you overdo it.

[florincmf]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

If you have a RO polisher you can use it instead of rubbing out by hand, but the wet sanding with 3000g is still required with a scratch, otherwise you'll be there for an hour trying to get rid of it with just compound, and still may not succeed. I don't bother using 5000g, as I keep four grades of compound and polish on hand, the most aggressive rendering no need to wet sand with 5000g. I also don't bother to break out my RO for a small scratch, as I can rub it out by hand in just a couple of minutes.
I also start wet sanding with 2000g, following up with 3000g, but I wouldn't recommend 2000g to a newbie, as it can rub right through the clear coat if you overdo it.

So what's the best approach to try this from a newbie perspective? I have a RO polisher, found one on eBay actually.

[Billfitz]

The only thing different from the video is that you apply and rub out compound and polish with the RO instead of by hand. I use Menzerna products, which are conveniently labeled Step 1, 2 and 3. Step 1 for initial rub out, step 2 for initial polish, step 3 for final polish. Some places sell all three together, for instance:
https://www.amazon.com/Menzerna-400-...85758601&psc=1

[florincmf]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The only thing different from the video is that you apply and rub out compound and polish with the RO instead of by hand. I use Menzerna products, which are conveniently labeled Step 1, 2 and 3. Step 1 for initial rub out, step 2 for initial polish, step 3 for final polish. Some places sell all three together, for instance:
https://www.amazon.com/Menzerna-400-...85758601&psc=1

Unfortunately, some of the scratches do not disappear when I spray soapy water over them so probably I won't have any luck in following the tutorial. I might have to go to a specialist despite of being excited to do some DIY on my car.