Tree branches scratched Motorhome

Clear coat scratches, unless there very minor, won't come out without some sanding.

He's talking about cleaning wax. I have in the past spend some big money, at the time for the latest and greatest cleaning wax that ruined a finish. I also used some polish that did not have abrasives. It ruined the pain on a 90Chevy S10 Blazer. Every time it was washed it led and the sun killed the paint.
It wwas the latest and greatest of course.
Mequires won't harm anything, that I know of. Mequires detailer might actually be all he needs andd some elbow grease to get rid of the smears.

RayChez wrote:
You have to be very careful what waxes you use because some are just too abrasive and it will dull the clear coat.

Hey Ray,
I've been waxing vehicles/trucks/motorhomes/boats etc. for decades and have used just about every kind of wax known to man. And as of yet, I've not seen any WAX that will DULL a clear coat finish. If you don't mind, would you tell me what kind/brand that you think will dull a clear coat finish? Thanks
Scott

I use Gel Gloss. Depending how deep the scratches are that works fine for me
and will not harm the paint.

Don't use toothpaste it is like coarse sandpaper.
Mequires liquid polish and rubbing with microfiber, may take a while if it requires more a cordless buffer and sponge type pads, brain freeze for name, and finest grade of polish and don't hover in any spot.
It soundslike stain and if it won't wash off after soaking with good caar wash liquid and water then do above.
Don't do anything to damage the paint

I worked on the scratches on my coach again this weekend, and am making slow but steady progress. My coach is a 1994, and I don't know if it's ever been detailed, and although the paint seems to be in good shape, the are many scratches along the upper third, probably from tree branches.

I tried all the safest, and easier methods, but the scratches remained. So I went to You Tube school of detailing, and jumped right into a major project. Lots of elbow grease, Extremely messy, but satisfying results.

Here's a picture of the scratches




Here's after sanding with 5000 grit, some spots needed 3000 first.



Polished, and waxed



This turned out to be a pretty big job, but I'm very happy with the results.

TechWriter wrote:
Meguiar's ScratchX

Used this to remove all but the worst tree scratches - then I go to Meguiars Ultimate Rubbing Compound Paint safe as long as you have some idea what you are doing.

Best of Luck

If a campground won't trim branches that hang into the campsite, I will. I carry a pole trimmer, folding handsaw and a pair of pruners. I use whatever is needed to remove the offending branches.

Generally, but not always. Wood / trees mar the finish more than they actually scratch it. Takes a pretty hard hit for wood to break thru the Clear coat, and gel coat. In "most" cases waxing is all that is needed to get rid of the mark

X2 on the Sratch X. Starts out as a mild abrasive and then the particles start to break down into smaller sizes so it ends up polishing itself. Works faster with an orbital polisher. Re wax area after.