Man if this doesn't **** someone off, I don't know what will. On the way home tonight there must have been a branch that fell and was supported by another tree, never actually saw it, but sure heard it. I get hime and sure enough scratches all down the passenger side, including the plastic panels on the door.

Well, there WERE scratches, but with some work I was able to get majority of them out, only a few at the very rear of the topper, which has a LOT of clear on it, so I can use heavier cutting compound to clean it up.

So here is what I did in case others have this happen or have scratches in the clear.

I have a DA polisher from Harbor Freight, https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-5...her-64528.html along with hex pads from Chemical guys, and V36 cutting polish, and V34 Hybrid compound, and Zaino plastic cleaner and polish.

Here is the polish, https://www.chemicalguys.com/v-line-...P_VKIT_16.html
And the hex pads, https://www.chemicalguys.com/hex-log...s/BUFX702.html
And the Zaino polish, http://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-14.html


I first tried the V34 Hybrid, but it didn't cut it enough, so hit it with the V36, and that got it cleaned up. I followed up with the Hybrid after the V36, no more scratches.

On the plastic I first tried the Zaino, didn't do a thing. I then used the V34 Hybrid, and it took most of the scratch out, but I could still see it when the light hit it just right, so went over it again with the V36 and Orange pad, then the V34 followed by a complete top to bottom with the Z-14 and white pad. Looks like a new panel, no scratches at all!

So I have found a method that works very well to clean up those plastic panels. Use the White pad with V34 on the DA set between 3 and 4 on the speed. I didn't completely remove the scratches, but they went from very outstanding can see in the dark 1/4" wide scratches, to barely seen if you have the light at just the right angle and looking from the top.

If you look right under the light is the scratch, it ran from 1 inch on the front door, all across the second one



But move a little and it is very hard to see



Yeah I know that car is really dirty, but hasn't moved in over 2 years, will hopefully get it out next weekend and cleaned up.


This is the deepest scratch, going to take a heavier cutting compound to get rid of it, just under the light.




This is where it hit the rear door. I had to stand on a step stool to see it. Just below the light. I can only see it with a bright light shining right over it and me looking down on it, It looked much worse before I started,




All this from an unseen branch. I'm just really glad the plastic cleaned up! The paint is not that big a deal, but usually once plastic is scratched, that's it, no cleaning up.

 

Thanks for sharing this!
Would never have thought to use a DA polisher and pads on plastic!

 

I figured with the huge scratch across it, what's the worse that could happen, damage it more? It already looked bad, so if I made it worse, oh well, would have to be replaced anyway. Luckily it came out looking better than when I bought it.

 

Sorry about the bad luck!

Is that an MKS I see in the background? I traded in an MKS 3.5EB on the truck. Miss my MKS, but it had the poor fate of meeting a deer in the road and wasn't repaired very well.

 

Yep, that is my mom's 09 MKS. 160K on it. Needs new plugs that I will get done in the next few weeks. It is White Chocolate. She had it "detailed" and it looks no different than before. Trunk lid is full of scratches, and the paint is still dull so I will give it a go later and see if I can shine it up some.