meguiars.com: FAQ - How can I remove below surface defects like chemical etching, swirls, and scratches?

FAQ Main Categories

     Auto Detailing Clay
     General Questions
     Paint Care
     Paint Questions
     Product Questions
     Swirl Marks
     Wheels and Tires
     Working with a machine versus working with your hands

1. How can I prevent oxidation?

2. Should I prep my paint before waxing?

3. How do I perform a Surface Evaluation?

4. How can I remove fresh stains, water spots, and smears on my car's finish?

5. Does Meguiar's make a product that will fill-in and hide swirls and fine scratches in my car's paint?

6. Does Meguiar’s make a product that will fill-in and hide deep scratches in my car’s paint?

7. What's the difference between polish and wax? (Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle)

8. What's the best advise Meguiar's has to offer me for my brand new car, truck, or s.u.v.?

9. What's the best wax Meguiar's has to offer me for my brand new car, truck, or s.u.v.?

10. How soon can I wax my new car?

11. How do I remove the rough feeling from my paint?

12. How can I remove below surface defects like chemical etching, swirls, and scratches?

Chances are good that if your car's finish needs to be clayed (the removal of above surface bonded contaminants), then it also needs a thorough paint cleaning. Paint cleaning, using a paint cleaner (not to be confused with the washing procedure and a car wash solution) is where you clean and remove below surface defects such as pore-imbedding stains, oxidation, scratches and swirls, road grime and other unsightly blemishes. By cleaning the paint after claying the paint, you will restore the optical clarity of a clear coat finish so that the underlying color coat can shine through. In the case of a non-clear coat finish, a good cleaning will bring out the full color spectrum and richness of the color coat.

Meguiar's Paint Cleaners that are safe for use by hand on clear coat paints include: