How to: Polishing with Meguiars Scratch X

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by Jaymes

It is a good idea to wax the car to keep that shine!

Models don't really need wax. If they're kept in a closed container or even open, since they're not subject to the forces of nature that a 1:1 car does outdoors in the weather. A good polish shines the paint so smooth that wax isn't necessary. Wax won't stop a paint job from losing it's shine if it's been polished too soon. However, for cleaning fingerprints off/final cleanup of the finished model Tamiya wax is very nice, other products that work well are Monokote (made for cleaning/shining RC aircraft), and Meguiars Detailer, all of them are liquids. I polish the paint w/Scratch X to a point that unless it's a mirror finish in jet black (Tamiya black can easily be shined to absolute perfection), no other product improves on the depth of shine from the compound, they only tend to make it a bit less susceptible to fingerprints, and to help to clean the surface.

I avoid any waxes as well, because I'm always wary that somewhere along the line up to final assembly, I might screw something up and have to repaint a section of the model...and that's a problem if it's been waxed. Compounds like Novus #2, Tamiya compound, 3M light duty rubbing compound (it's great stuff-very similar to Scratch X), and Scratch X are all paintable. I do like Tamiya wax, but I only use it on a model that is 100% finished!

[tonioseven]

I gotta get some.

[ex-r]

Very nice write up. After I heard about the scratch x, I bought a tube. That stuff is amazing. I use the micromesh cloths then finish with the scratch x. The finish is beautiful, but for some reason, I can't get the super fine scratches out of the darker colors, like black. How do I go about getting the deep glass looking black?

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by ex-r

Very nice write up. After I heard about the scratch x, I bought a tube. That stuff is amazing. I use the micromesh cloths then finish with the scratch x. The finish is beautiful, but for some reason, I can't get the super fine scratches out of the darker colors, like black. How do I go about getting the deep glass looking black?

For the darkest colors you either have to have polished out all the tiny scratches out from sanding (sometimes you have to revisit the micro mesh a few times to remove all the microscopic sanding lines), buff the polish a bit longer (a bit of friction/heat works wonders), and for the ultimate shine on black I've used a tiny bit of Meguiars cleaner/wax followed by liquid detailer or Tamiya wax. Tamiya black rubbed out this way will look just like a mirror, and you rarely have to go this far with lighter colors.

[Jaymes]

thanks for the info about the wax ZoomZoomMX-5, I merely pulled that quote out of the back of the Scratch X

[El Krammito]

this thread came just in time for me to sand and polish the body on my levin (no i haven't quit ). i'll give this method a try

[nis.k.a.]

No doubt about the Tamiya Black. I painted my "nightmaR3Z" with that. It's a PITA compared to other colors but the end result (if done correct and with caution) yields great results.

For me, it was too stressful as black has to be nothing short of a mirror.

I won't be spraying bodies gloss black anytime soon. One thing I did find enjoyable is I now know I've conquered one of the hardest colors from a can.

My goal is to successfully spray a body with Gunze Majzora sometime in '05......Lots of practice this upcoming year.....

[mrceej]

i tried it after i read this too. happen to be a black car. it took a while to get used to but definitely makes for an awesome shine. but the downside, i broke both rearview mirrors while polishing. gotta figure out a way to be more careful around the hard to get areas.

[ATMDC]

hey i gotta question, if you polish the car with this first, is it just like rubbing compound where i can still paint the window frame rubber and the paint will stick, or is it like when you paint over wax and the paint wont stick?

[ImolaEK]

Originally Posted by ATMDC

hey i gotta question, if you polish the car with this first, is it just like rubbing compound where i can still paint the window frame rubber and the paint will stick, or is it like when you paint over wax and the paint wont stick?

I believe so. I seriously need to get some of this, specially since im running low on compound. I was actually planning on making an order to HLJ for some compound...this will now be canceled. Thanks guys! I also use Meguiars Quick Detailer over the area where i use Compound and it maintains the shine nicely!

[Sticky Fingers]

Does anyone know if T-Cut (available in the UK, don't know about anywhere else) will work as a polishing compound? Sure hope so! I can get that cheap enough from Halfords.

[D_LaMz]

So, all I do is
1.paint the car with Tamiya spray paint
2.Wait about a week or two
3.use Meguiars Scratch X
4.wait for like 5 minutes?
5.paint the window frames
6.wait for about a day?
7.and use Meguiars Quick Detailer as a wax

question
1.Is Meguiars Scratch X and Meguiars Quick Detailer safe for all paints?
2.Do I have to sand the body if there is no sratches or orangle peel?

Thanks

[CADguy]

Originally Posted by D_LaMz

question
1.Is Meguiars Scratch X and Meguiars Quick Detailer safe for all paints?
2.Do I have to sand the body if there is no sratches or orangle peel?

Thanks

A:
1) I've used it on Tamiya paints (acrylic lacquer), and enamels with great results.
2) If the area does not need sanded, and is already fairly smooth, Scratch X will still even the finish out.

[mickbench]

Products on this page will be what you want.

http://www.seriousperformance.co.uk/...polish_wax.php

Not cheap but will last a long long time..!! After all, model car body shells are a lot smaller then real cars.

[ATMDC]

i am curious about these steps also?

3.use Meguiars Scratch X
4.wait for like 5 minutes?
5.paint the window frames
6.wait for about a day?
7.and use Meguiars Quick Detailer as a wax