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Old 12-15-2004, 06:27 PM   #1
CADguy
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Smile How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

I know Primera Man has a nice polishing how to, but I've been using a product called Scratch X by Meguiars. It's about $8 and can be found at Wal-Mart, Target, and auto supply stores. It's too simple simple to use you won't belive your eyes.

You will need some wet/dry sandpaper, a cotton t-shirt, some cotton swabs for the hard to reach areas, and Scratch X.


First, select a victim with some orange peel.


Level any orange peel lightly by wet sanding with 2000 grit sandpaper. If it's a little heavy I'll start with 1500 and then 2000.
In this pic the hood, nose and fenders have been wetsanded, and the grit washed away with some dishsoap and water.


Now that we have a smooth, but scratched surface it's time for some Scratch X. A little bit goes a long way. Use very little to achieve the best results.


Put a little bit on your rag and use small circular motions. Medium pressure is all you'll need. You will start to feel the shine under your finger as you rub.
As you get a bit of a shine, switch to a clean part of the rag and buff it a bit. Rub some on..Buff it off.. and repeat until you get a nice shine.
In this pic I have rubbed and buffed the lower 3/4's of the hood.


You may find that after polishing it up you have to go back to your sandpaper and level an area some more. Just repeat the steps until you get a nice smooth shiny surface.


It will take some trial and error, but once you figure out it really makes polishing fun!
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Old 12-15-2004, 06:45 PM   #2
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i use the same stuff but i think 2000 grit is a little harsh. i use micro-mesh starting with 3200, then 3600, 4000, 6000, 8000, and finally 12000 grit. then lightly use Scratch X. but is is a good and easy to find product. i recommend it highly! remember also NOT to buff your model for at least a week until after painting. waiting 3 weeks is even better. And dont buff metallic or pearl paints unless you have clear coated them. it will dull the finish and make the flakes to large for this scale.
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Old 12-15-2004, 06:57 PM   #3
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Veyron showed me a chart comparing Micromesh labels to the US grit equivalent.
Using 2000 Grit Tamiya paper is somewhere between 4000 and 6000 micromesh cloths. Not to harsh really.
This info is on the Micro mesh site.
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/conversion.htm

Micro-Mesh Size VS Grit Equivalent Comparison
1500 = 400
1800 = 600
2400 = 800
3200 = 1200
3600 = 1350
4000 = 1500
6000
8000
12000
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Old 12-15-2004, 07:01 PM   #4
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

Good stuff right here!
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Old 12-15-2004, 07:13 PM   #5
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

Nice writeup CADguy. That's how it's done with other types of cutting/polishing compound too, doesn't have to be Meguiars.
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Old 12-15-2004, 08:54 PM   #6
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Re: Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

Quote:
Originally Posted by RallyRaider
Nice writeup CADguy. That's how it's done with other types of cutting/polishing compound too, doesn't have to be Meguiars.
Somewhat true, but not all compounds are created equal... this particular Meguiars product rocks on model paint...it cuts paint beautifully-high shine w/minimum effort-it smooths out as you buff the paint, it's superior to Tamiya compound that used to be my favorite. It handily beats Novus #2 that was my favorite before Tamiya compound. And it's available everywhere, but the tube will last a long time. Next time you need to buy compound, this is well worth it.
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Old 12-15-2004, 09:08 PM   #7
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

Absolutely, all compounds are different in amount of cut and resulting smoothness. The latest Tamiya polishing compounds are a case in point, coming in three different degrees of harshness. I imagine Tamiya intended for the modeller to start with the hard and finish with the finish.
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Old 12-15-2004, 09:45 PM   #8
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Re: Re: Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5
Somewhat true, but not all compounds are created equal... this particular Meguiars product rocks on model paint...it cuts paint beautifully-high shine w/minimum effort-it smooths out as you buff the paint, it's superior to Tamiya compound that used to be my favorite. It handily beats Novus #2 that was my favorite before Tamiya compound. And it's available everywhere, but the tube will last a long time. Next time you need to buy compound, this is well worth it.
I didn't convey my main points of this article well, and you summed it up for me.

That one $8 tube has polished 24 cars so far, with about 1/2 left over. So there is a cost savings. One little tube of Tamiya compound is not cheap in hobby stores here in my area. If you can even find it.

It works with minimal effort as mentioned. Other rubbing compounds I've used took some major work and elbow grease. Not rubbing as much or with as much force leads to less rub throughs.

I've used Scratch X on enamels, and acrylic lacquers (Tamiya paints love this stuff) with great results.
This particular car was sprayed with CobraColors clear. It is an acrylic lacquer as well, but dries much harder than Tamiyas clear. It sands and polishes very nicely.
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Old 12-15-2004, 10:00 PM   #9
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

Okay, okay, I'm convinced. Will have to get me some.
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Old 12-15-2004, 10:11 PM   #10
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

I used by girlfriends face buff with similar results (other then the screming afterwards)

Great tutorial! kudos.
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Old 12-15-2004, 11:07 PM   #11
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

yes this stuff is amazing...it clears away scratches so well that it confuses me. The only problems that i've run across are when I used too much (learned that after reading this tutorial) and the results are hazy and not so shiny. Thanks for the tutorial CADguy!
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Old 12-15-2004, 11:25 PM   #12
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

sounds like you sold me on this, before i was using 3m rubbing compound which still works good but id like to try this one, now one more thing, do i have to still wax afterwards? and if not, is it still a good idea to wax afterwards anyways?, by the way, i use meguires cleaner wax to wax my models because i use automotive paint. thanks!
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Old 12-16-2004, 01:55 AM   #13
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

It is a good idea to wax the car to keep that shine!
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Old 12-16-2004, 02:51 AM   #14
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Re: How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

Sold. good thing wallyworld is open 24-7.
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Old 12-16-2004, 04:03 AM   #15
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Thanks for that tutorial, my favourite Veilside Porsche is looking very shiny !!!

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