Scratches appearing out of nowhere?!?

blinkme323 · 03-05-2010, 03:28 AM

Hey guys, when washing my car today, I noticed that I have tiny, hairline scratches at various spots on the car. I have no clue where these scratch would come from as I take very good care of my car. Is this just a product of having a black Z?

That being said, how do you guys deal with these? I've tried scratch-x and I've had varying results. Thanks for the help.

rudi · 03-05-2010, 03:49 AM

Do you use two buckets? Use one bucket for washing and the other for rinsing. Also I use nothing but micro fiber cloths, never use a sponge as they tend to hold onto grit that can scratch your paint.

209Z · 03-05-2010, 03:54 AM

U get those scratches by the way u wash the car. A full 3 stage detail and u will be fine.

CBRich · 03-05-2010, 08:38 AM

Agreed. Your washing habits are the most likely culprit.

blinkme323 · 03-05-2010, 10:13 AM

You guys are saying a full detail should rectify the situation though?

CBRich · 03-05-2010, 11:55 AM

It's very confusing now since a lot of things that aren't actually polish are being called polish. If you get a full detail then you need to ensure they are actually using an abrasive polish that is made to remove a layer of the clear. Not just throwing some wax in the scratches to cover them up until the next time you wash it.

kenchan · 03-05-2010, 01:10 PM

swirls suck... thus i detail my cars.

j.arnaldo · 03-05-2010, 02:03 PM

Washing habits, folks walking between cars at pkng lots, envious slobs who touch/rub against/purposely scratch our cars, sand/dust in the air blowing against the beaZts while we're driving...That's why I don't worry about it too much, or I'll go berserk over the many things that ruin our paint jobs. I just care for the engine, cooling system, tranny, etc.

kenchan · 03-05-2010, 03:56 PM

my Z isn't a show car although it is very clean. i bought it to motor it...well, on dry days. im just not into washing cars too often. i dread it. but i like my toys clean.

NewlyIMPORTed · 03-05-2010, 04:35 PM

there are metal particles in the air that can scratch cars too

NickBaragona · 10-17-2011, 02:33 PM

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I noticed various scratches on my 40th as well. Say in 10 years I would like a new factory quality paint job, does anybody know about how much that would cost?

gurneyeagle · 10-17-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickBaragona

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I noticed various scratches on my 40th as well. Say in 10 years I would like a new factory quality paint job, does anybody know about how much that would cost?

Nick, based on your other post about using spray wax to wash your car, I think that's the culprit. I posted a link in your other thread to a product and informational video that should help you out.

NickBaragona · 10-17-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurneyeagle

Nick, based on your other post about using spray wax to wash your car, I think that's the culprit. I posted a link in your other thread to a product and informational video that should help you out.

Well it had various scratches on the car when I bought it used from a dealership. Just curious what these paint jobs would run. Thanks for the link though, I may be ordering that product if I decide not to do the traditional washing method.

sboden · 10-17-2011, 08:21 PM

I would think any paint job would do this. The dark colors just show it a lot better. I just did a 2 stage polish and it looks good as new.

03-05-2010, 03:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
blinkme323 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Philly Posts: 227 Drives: 09 370z Base w/Sport Rep Power: 16	Scratches appearing out of nowhere?!? Hey guys, when washing my car today, I noticed that I have tiny, hairline scratches at various spots on the car. I have no clue where these scratch would come from as I take very good care of my car. Is this just a product of having a black Z? That being said, how do you guys deal with these? I've tried scratch-x and I've had varying results. Thanks for the help.

03-05-2010, 03:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
209Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Stockton, Cali (209) Posts: 1,058 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 278	U get those scratches by the way u wash the car. A full 3 stage detail and u will be fine. __________________ Team Blur My Build Thread Fast Intentions\|KWS\|BERK\|Carbon Fiber Element\| SEIBON\|Memphis Car Audio\| Status Autoworks\|Lusso Forged\|Autohaus\|PWJDM\|SPC

03-05-2010, 04:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
NewlyIMPORTed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 1,109 Drives: 11 STI Sedan Rep Power: 18	there are metal particles in the air that can scratch cars too __________________ 2011 WRX STICobb Accessport, Nameless Performance exhaust, COBB SF Intake, COBB downpipe, 20% tint, Work Emotion XD9's

10-17-2011, 08:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
sboden Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 580 Drives: 09 Blue 370Z T/S 6MT Rep Power: 16	I would think any paint job would do this. The dark colors just show it a lot better. I just did a 2 stage polish and it looks good as new. __________________ 09 Monterey Blue 370Z Sport/Tour, Takeda Shorties, Blk Nismo Wheels, Blk Painted Top/Exhaust cut out, Invidia Gemini CBE, Southbend Stage 2 clutch, Lite weight flywheel, Zspeed HD CSC, flat black headlights. Previously owned 03 G35 Coupe 6MT and Volvo C30 R Design.

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03-05-2010, 03:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
rudi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 306 Drives: 370Z Australian Spec Rep Power: 16	Do you use two buckets? Use one bucket for washing and the other for rinsing. Also I use nothing but micro fiber cloths, never use a sponge as they tend to hold onto grit that can scratch your paint.

03-05-2010, 08:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	Agreed. Your washing habits are the most likely culprit.

03-05-2010, 10:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
blinkme323 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Philly Posts: 227 Drives: 09 370z Base w/Sport Rep Power: 16	You guys are saying a full detail should rectify the situation though?

03-05-2010, 11:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	It's very confusing now since a lot of things that aren't actually polish are being called polish. If you get a full detail then you need to ensure they are actually using an abrasive polish that is made to remove a layer of the clear. Not just throwing some wax in the scratches to cover them up until the next time you wash it.

03-05-2010, 01:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	swirls suck... thus i detail my cars.

03-05-2010, 02:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	Washing habits, folks walking between cars at pkng lots, envious slobs who touch/rub against/purposely scratch our cars, sand/dust in the air blowing against the beaZts while we're driving...That's why I don't worry about it too much, or I'll go berserk over the many things that ruin our paint jobs. I just care for the engine, cooling system, tranny, etc.

03-05-2010, 03:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	my Z isn't a show car although it is very clean. i bought it to motor it...well, on dry days. im just not into washing cars too often. i dread it. but i like my toys clean.

10-17-2011, 02:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
NickBaragona Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 360 Drives: 40th 370Z Rep Power: 14	Sorry to revive an old thread, but I noticed various scratches on my 40th as well. Say in 10 years I would like a new factory quality paint job, does anybody know about how much that would cost?