Black paint finish?

Question

Hi just curious about the black paint job on my Toyota car. It was just recently bought and after a few days I have decided to give it a polish with hi glaze sealant (paint sealant) by hand method as I do not know how to use a buffer properly and fear doing worse than good.

Here is the issue:
After the glaze and wipe off with a soft clean good quality microfibre. It tends to leave a small amount of faint scratches (cannot be feel by fingernail ), it cannot be seen at all unless you are within 5 cm or so radius and under strong light condition provided u are staring at the correct angle else it is very glossy finish which is perfect. Is this pretty normal for a black car? Quite sadden to see a new car to get some minor imperfections. I the type of perfectionist that love to find flaws.

Answer 1

This is normal for any finish, however, a black finish will magnify any imperfection and is ultimately the most difficult color to keep looking good. Polishing in effect puts tiny scratches in the finish. Compounds and polishes contain small granuals from course to very fine. You've got the right idea by hand polishing as even in the most capable hands an orbital buffer will leave swirl marks in a black finish which can be eliminated with a hand glaze. However, the glaze will eventually wear off and need to be re-applied. I've been in the collision repair business for over ten years and industry standards dictate an acceptable flaw is one not visible from 2 ft. I'd say step back and look at the big picture. If you're looking for something to be wrong you'll almost always find it.

Answer 2

You will find that the more you rub on it in an effort to remove microscopic scratches,the more you are putting back in.It is absolutely critical that the wax applicator,vehicle body,and polishing cloth are free of the slightest trace of any grit.



Good results,though not perfect,are obtained by filling the scratches with coats of wax buildup.This is easier to do with an orbital polisher.They are simple to use and can do no more harm than you can do by polishing by hand.



Taking it to a shop for machine polishing is great in that the scratches can be removed rather than filled but the problem with that is the swirl marks left by that process are as nasty as the normal wear scratches.



Bear in mind that any time you wipe the surface in an effort to improve it for whatever reason,more scratches will be left behind.Sometimes it's best to leave it alone.

Answer 3

Watch Barry Meguiar's online videos for detailing your car's paint finish. Barry will explain what's really happening in the microscopic surface layers of paint on your car:



http://www.meguiars.com/video/index.cfm?vid=1



For scratch and dent repair, watch the Advance Auto online video "Scratch and Dent Repair" (Also, the "Wash and Wax" video):



http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/mediaplayer/mediaplayer_clinics.asp

Answer 4

can of Matt Black spray paint....$10

Answer 5

have it buffed professionally to make it perfect....