removing key scratches

[GP14]

This is for my friends fairly new car. Tried a search and only found people using scratch x for swirls. What do people use for key scratches. They are not down to the bare metal so i guess the clear coat is only affected.

thanks

[bruce]

Impossible to get an as new finish without a respray.
Can only try to buff the edges down a little to make it less obvious.

[Alex]

if it's not down to the metal/undercoat and the panels haven't been dented then it can probably be polished out but it might require some light sanding as well (with 2000+ grit wet sandpaper). Follow this with a nice sealant and it should be fine.
If it's down to the metal then fill with touch up paint, sand, polish, seal.

[DaleZ]

happened to my friend's new car sometime last year... someone keyed a few panels around his car.... there was a very obvious one for 30cm..... deep white keyed mark....

my friend wants to respray his car anyway.... so we thought we will give it a very hard rub with scratch-x, see if it helps.... all the white marks are gone.... of coz, no magic.... u can still see the mark if u look closely.... but at least, nothing obvious as we first saw it.....

now, i think 6 months passed.... he didn't bother to go back to respray his car.... the marks are still ok.... so in my opinion, scratch-x does works..... just give it a good rub... and then a good polish n wax afterwards.... worth a try.....

[Mr Morlock]

many of the polish manufacturers make products said to do the job - I have some Turtle Wax swirl and scratch remover but these things have their limitations. Try the easy approach first.

[Garry]

I would suggest taking it to a detailer or panel beater and let them have a go at it. They will be able to do a better job than you or me. I saw a black WRX on the weekend that had had a go at removing a key scratch. It looked like they'd tried some wet and dry on it and failed. So not only could you see the scratch but you could see all the scuff marks from their attempt at repair. While my old car was in for a service the top of the front guard was scratched by someones belt buckle or something. I tried in vain to polish it out using all number of products but nothing worked. I complained to the service department and they sent the car to their panel section and they buffed the scratch out entirely and it looked as good as new.

If you want to do it yourself you might need something a bit more heavy duty than Scratch-X. A few years ago some clown in a van reveresed over the front of my car all the way up to the leading edge of the bonnet leaving scratches all over the nose cone. I attacked it with Scratch-X and that removed all the residual paint from the van but didn't help with the scratches on my car to much. I used some fine cutting compound and after an hour or so of rubbing all the scratches came out. I then used Scratch-X to help shine it up a bit more. then some polish and finally a wax. The scratches are gone but I dont think the paint has as deep a gloss as it had before my attempt at repair.

[JBT]

There are some mobile scratch and chip repair guys about too. They're a bit like the paintless dent removal people - sometimes they do both. I've seen the work of some and you'd never know the car had been damaged after they finish. Generally a lot cheaper than smash repair places and they don't leave holograms and swirls all over the car.

[GP14]

thanks guys. I will try scratch x first seeing as i already have it in my arsenal. If that doesn't work then i'll get them to get it done professionally. I just can't believe some people who can(out of jealousy maybe?!) do this to someones new car. Its not just 1 panel but 3.

cheers

[Steampunk]

Geoff, DO NOT try to cover it up with matching paint as this will only make it more conspicuous.
And as for "who would do this?", you tell me and we'll hunt them down and hog-tie them naked in the Queen St Mall as I've been a keying victim a couple months ago
And no, it may not be because they are jealous, cause as good a car as my little Festiva is... I doubt that many people would be that jealous of it.

I have a can of cutting compound/wax that is a little rougher than Scratch-X so feel free to give me a buzz if you want it. It has done wonders for several scrapes over the years.

[GP14]

Geoff, DO NOT try to cover it up with matching paint as this will only make it more conspicuous.
And as for "who would do this?", you tell me and we'll hunt them down and hog-tie them naked in the Queen St Mall as I've been a keying victim a couple months ago
And no, it may not be because they are jealous, cause as good a car as my little Festiva is... I doubt that many people would be that jealous of it.

I have a can of cutting compound/wax that is a little rougher than Scratch-X so feel free to give me a buzz if you want it. It has done wonders for several scrapes over the years.

Thanks Andy. No definitely will not use touch up paint on 3 panels.

ok maybe just brainless people i guess who do this sort of thing.

I'll try the scratch x first, see how it goes, if not i'll give you a buzz.

cheers

[Okibi]

Isn't there a local detailer who's currently looking for more clients, i'm sure he charges an honest amount to help forum members.

[Crapweasel]

Isn't there a local detailer who's currently looking for more clients, i'm sure he charges an honest amount to help forum members.

Yes there is. I've sent him an email with a link to this thread, so stay tuned.

Good call Okibi!