Car Waxing Tips
Austin, I have a small scratch on the driver side fender of my new BMW and I have tried to wax the scratch out twice already with no such luck. What else can you recommend I try?
Danny
Conroe Texas
Hi there Danny!
Well, what I can recommend you try is using rubbing compound to remove the scratch as wax is not designed to do so. To make this a little easier to understand, I made a short video explanation for you. I also talk about a few products that I personally use, although I am not affiliated with them.
Let me know if this helps or if you need more info. Best of luck
Rubbing Compound
This is used to remove surface scratches in the paint, but use with caution because this stuff is really gritty and if you push down too hard you will destroy the protective clear coat finish.
I would also just use it on spat areas, not on the entire surface of the vehicle. Use a wax product after you finish to produce the polished shine again. Also use in straight lines, NOT in a circular motion to reduce any swirl marks that might happen.
Swirl marks – more visible on darker finishes, in the sun you will see a circular pattern of small scratches “swirls”. You do NOT want them on your paint finish.
Polishing Compound
Similar to rubbing compound but not as gritty and primarily used to remove swirl marks and environmental pollution (acid rain) that has dulled the paint luster.
You can use this on the entire vehicle, applying with LIGHT pressure though it can still damage the clear coat finish. You want to use a wax product after you use this too.
Again, use this product in straight lines as well, not in circular motions to reduce swirl marks.
Car Wax
Mainly used to help protect the paint surface and help restore luster and gloss of the existing finish. You can use as much as you want and as often as you want without many real negative issues.
I am lazy and prefer to use spray wax products, and I use them often…it’s fast and super easy.
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If I could wax my car in 20 minutes I might actually do it 🙂
Mona, try the spray wax I am using in the video (or one like it) and you should have no problems doing it in under 30 minutes. Make sure to clean and dry the vehicle first before waxing. You do not want to wax in all the dirt and grit that is on the paint, it will scratch it.
Here here, nice post. I have used 5 Star Shine for years, but honestly any good spray wax seems to work just as good for a lot less money.
Nice video, good suggestions and information Austin thanks
Try toothpaste with a damp cloth in the same manner. It does a good job and isn’t so abrasive. Remember do not use a circular motion!
Good luck
John B.
Punta Gorda, Florida
Great! Simple but very useful video!
Sadly I did not see your very informative video before trying to remove a scratch from my dark grey RAV-4. I now have a permanent dull spot where the scratch was.
The Video was great as well as helpful, I also have some scratches and will take your advise.
I also have a Question?
I own a 1997 Bounder Motor home 30ft on a P30 Chevy Chassis, At this point I have replaced the electric fuel pump three times, that is not just aggravating, It’s expensive because the fuel tank has to be dropped out to get to it. Of course I always have a full tank when It starts and a near empty tank when it comes back. It is acting again as if I should expect that to happen again soon.
The question is can I put on an independent external Electric fuel pump and expect it to work?
Any hints?
I was shown by one mechanic that the pump was not what fails it is the two prong in tank connector that fails. but they always replace the pump rather than just repairing or replacing the connector. I think that is called CYA.
Any help you can give me will be appreciated.
I am sure that I am not the only one who has this problem, It will be of interest to a lot of us old folks.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
Art
Art,
I dont have any experience working with motor homes, but I have seen similar issues many times on GM vehicles. There is a plastic “baffle” at the bottom of the fuel tank which holds and supports the electric fuel pump. That baffle breaks loose from the fuel tank and allows the pump to slosh around in the tank. That sloshing from side to side damages the pump. Replacing the fuel tank is the answer….in those particular cases.
if the mechanic is not properly inspecting the bottom of the tank, they will not notice the baffle issue. Also there could be dirt or sand in your tank which can prematurely kill a pump.
I dont think adding an external pump is the answer, finding the source of the problem is my suggestion. AND make sure you are using an OEM pump, not some cheap universal pump from China. 🙂