I drive a black SUV and as anyone who drives a black car knows, when they're clean and/or new they look great. The down side is they quickly show dirt....and scratches very easily.

I have managed to collect a growing number of superficial scratches, which don't go anywhere near the primer or sheet metal, but they appear white and stand out. It's annoying. I know there are various buffing compounds that can pretty much erase these, but I have no idea which work and which don't.

Anyone have experience with a process or product that really works well for this sort of stuff? I have a friend who bought a buffing compound for his car which removed the scratches....but left sort of a dull spot on otherwise glossy paint where the scratches once were, which creates a new problem I'm not interested in repeating.

Any ideas?

I would go here and read... http://www.autopia.org/forum/forum.php

The first step is to try Meguiar's Scratch-X

I owned a black Lightning a few years ago, and I used a black color wax/polish by Turtle Wax that did the trick.





I managed not to get many scratches in the paint because I would use (and still do) only clean microfiber towels for washing, drying, and waxing.


If it hits the ground, throw it away, or use it only for wheel/tire duty.  It will be like a piece of sandpaper from that day forward.





I had some close ups of the paint from when I sold it, let me see if I can find one.



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Here is what I used, but I am sure that anything made by McGuires will work too.



http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-374KTR-Black-Color/dp/B00062ZJ4O






 

Solid tips guys, thank you.

I had no idea that they made colored wax.

Polishing is the only way to fix it. Anything else just fills it in. Check out the autopia link, tons of good information there.

Why are you fools buying black vehicles in Florida?  It must be the male version of high heels...

Other than say white, there is no big difference in Fl.
All color cars get hot as hell in the summer.


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I don't think that's the way to go, as it only hides it.



If you fix it now, it won't be ten times worse down the line a few years.



Scratch-X is a buffing compound you can apply by hand.

What it does is start off like a buffing compound to remove the scratch, and with elbow grease the particles get smaller and smaller.

So you go from a really mild grit all the way down to a fine polish.



If this doesn't work you'll want to step up to a buffer and there is a lot to learn about using one...

practice shouldn't be done on your nice ride, so... I'd strongly suggest elbow grease and scratch-x before you jump into a Porter Cable and wheels.
 

No kiddin'... that's why God made A/C and remote starters.



 

scratches in the clear coat can be addressed with:
Polish: - least abrasive



ScratchX - still needs work



Rubbing compound




Edited to add: If you use ScratchX, no matter what other say (especially on a black car) make sure you:



a) Wipe it all off after use

b) polish the area afterwards.



Otherwise you will see ghosting and other yucky artifacts if you just slather a wax on top.



 

+1 to that.

See if you can beg, borrow, or steal a Porter Cable 7424 and the appropriate pads and polishes.  Ask in your HTF.  

Depending on how deep the scratches are, you'll need 2-3 products to rectify the problem.  If you're using OTC products, this or this followed by a good wax.  

Apply with a thick, high-quality microfiber applicator.      

The counter guys at an automotive paint shop or body shop supply store can also point you in the right direction, often with 3M products.