Black gloss window trim scratches – solution?

I find this an interesting problem - my car is probably the oldest one on the forum and today I looked at the glossy panels and there isn't one scratch on them. My car is never detailed, it is snow foamed, gone over with a "brush" of micro fibre and the hot pressure washer rinsed or hand washed using the garden hose, micro fibre block with Zip Nano carwash detergent and then rinsed off with cold water from the garden hose. It doesn't get all this heavy washing and polishing and doesn't have a single swirl or scratch on the window surrounds................... My theory is that when the car was Gard-X treated the sealer has given a very good seal to the gloss black.

I Had the same with mine, picked it up 4 weeks ago and the black panels were completely covered in fine scratches.

Oldest RRE on the forum and I have no scratches on the glossy bits, you cleaning fetishists are wearing them out! Mine is GardX treated..................I wonder if that helps seal them?

It all depends on the light if they show up. Try using a bright tourch (not LED) about 6inchs away from the side trim by the rear window & then tell me you have no swirls

(30-04-2012 05:30pm)XFullFatTim Wrote:  I find this an interesting problem - my car is probably the oldest one on the forum and today I looked at the glossy panels and there isn't one scratch on them. My car is never detailed, it is snow foamed, gone over with a "brush" of micro fibre and the hot pressure washer rinsed or hand washed using the garden hose, micro fibre block with Zip Nano carwash detergent and then rinsed off with cold water from the garden hose. It doesn't get all this heavy washing and polishing and doesn't have a single swirl or scratch on the window surrounds................... My theory is that when the car was Gard-X treated the sealer has given a very good seal to the gloss black.

I would treat my car in a similar way to you Tim, car is going in on Wednesday for a full day new car detail with G Techniq authorised detailer and will be discussing this issue.

I think a lot depends on how the dealer turned the car out in the first place. If it were fairly carelessly washed at PDI, scratching these 'soft' panels would be easy. Mine certainly had minor swirls when I received it, although you have to look hard to spot them, and it doesn't bother me. However, I've certainly not added any more myself with the washing technique I use. Obviously careless washing by the owner would have the same effect as what some dealers contrive to do.

(30-04-2012 10:17pm)Donny Dog Wrote:  I think a lot depends on how the dealer turned the car out in the first place. If it were fairly carelessly washed at PDI, scratching these 'soft' panels would be easy. Mine certainly had minor swirls when I received it, although you have to look hard to spot them, and it doesn't bother me. However, I've certainly not added any more myself with the washing technique I use. Obviously careless washing by the owner would have the same effect as what some dealers contrive to do.

Had a report from the detailer today, I asked if he had any problems.

He said that the black plastic door pillars were "as soft as butter" and they will be impossible to keep clear of scratches. He even took off the white plastic protection himself and still had work to do to make them look good. So goodness knows whaat they would be like after the dealers car washers have done they worst.

Hi I also have a similar problem on mine. I shall not use any products incase the black glass reacts and something goes wrong - if someone has a very mild product please let's us know thanks

I've been using this product with great results.

3M Scratch Removal Kit

Dewalt Cordless Drill 2000 rpm or less!

I asked my car not to be washed by the dealer but I still had swirls and scratches on the black pillars on one side.
I polished them out a few months back but they are still so easy to mark.
I'm slowly re-polishing the car in sections and putting the g techniq c1+ sealant on. I think I will put at least 2 or 3 coats of it on the black pillars to see if that will help with keeping them scratch free