Scratches on gloss black pillar

Aaftab Mughal

Active Member
Jun 4, 2020
57
10
Slough
Anyone know how to get rid of these scratches?
86C76AEE-AE9B-4DBF-8ED0-675DFD01D4B9.jpeg
 
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CalJames

Modification Addict
Jun 25, 2019
333
152
North Wales
My pillars where covered in swirls/scratches.
When I gave the car a 2 stage polish I attacked the glossy plastic part and they came up perfect.
 
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Aaftab Mughal

Active Member
Jun 4, 2020
57
10
Slough
Machine polish? Is there anything I can do by hand? What products would I use?
I’m actually thinking of getting them wrapped. Maybe gloss black or carbon fibre. Won’t have to worry about scratches then.
 

Jay5959

FR 184
Apr 26, 2020
500
256
By hand would be possible but a bit of a pain. I use meguiars scratch x on bad sections then ultimate compound. Worth looking into a dual action polisher, you can pick them up cheap now ?
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,387
1,278
Those gloss black B pillar trim pieces that are fitted on many VAG cars are a very ‘soft’ plastic, so will scratch and swirl almost by just looking at them. Machine polishing with an appropriate combination of polish and pad would soon sort those scratches out. Then for ongoing maintenance, a safe wash method when washing the car (two bucket method, ph neutral shampoo, lambs wool mitt, and plush microfibre towels for drying). They will still become swirled over time, but to a lesser degree with ’safe’ washing.

If you entrust washing your car to the local hand wash place and also let the Seat dealer wash your car, they’ll be permanently swirled, along with your car’s paintwork! ?
 

BigJase88

Jase
Apr 20, 2008
3,767
1,069
I manged to get most of the surface scratches out with AG Super Resin polish and some elbow grease.
Thats good going as AG SRP is an extremely mild compound, it is more of a filler the S stands for Silicone. So the scratches are maybe filled instead of gone possibly?
 

CalJames

Modification Addict
Jun 25, 2019
333
152
North Wales
I noticed recently that my paint on my bonnet appears to have faded. Any tips for fixing this up, and has this happened to anyone else?
Lots of swirls on your paintwork. Probably a lot of improper wash methods have resulted in your paint work looking a bit dull. A good 1 or 2 stage polish should bring it back.
Either pay a professional to do it, invest in a Dual Action polisher or do it the old fashioned way with a hand polishing pad and compound.
 
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SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,387
1,278
Buy a dual action polisher and polishes, you will be glad you did, the car is riddled in swirl marks which in turn makes the paint look "duller"

^+1 for a DA polishing machine.

I’ve had my DA polishing machine for around 7-8 years now and although it doesn’t get used that often to polish the entire car - maybe once every 18-24 months - it‘s more then paid for itself many times over.

It’s really useful for localised spot correction - like removal of etching in the lacquer from bird poo if you’re not able to deal with the offending bird poo immediately after the event. I also had a real mess on the bonnet of my previous car from water dripping off the concrete roof in a multi story car park onto the car. My DA with an appropriate combination of pads and polishes sorted that out in no time at all.

I’ve used it a few times for correction of the piano black trim on the B pillars, and it works a treat and is very effective at removing swirls and scratches - with the right combination of pads and polishes of course.

As said in my earlier post in this thread, once scratches and swirls have been removed, then a safe wash technique is essential IMO to keep the surface scratch and swirl free, so it’s important to stay away from automatic car washes, the many hand wash car washing places, and never let the Seat dealer wash your car (a.k.a the scratch and swirl treatment).
 
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Aug 17, 2020
10
0
^+1 for a DA polishing machine.

I’ve had my DA polishing machine for around 7-8 years now and although it doesn’t get used that often to polish the entire car - maybe once every 18-24 months - it‘s more then paid for itself many times over.

It’s really useful for localised spot correction - like removal of etching in the lacquer from bird poo if you’re not able to deal with the offending bird poo immediately after the event. I also had a real mess on the bonnet of my previous car from water dripping off the concrete roof in a multi story car park onto the car. My DA with an appropriate combination of pads and polishes sorted that out in no time at all.

I’ve used it a few times for correction of the piano black trim on the B pillars, and it works a treat and is very effective at removing swirls and scratches - with the right combination of pads and polishes of course.

As said in my earlier post in this thread, once scratches and swirls have been removed, then a safe wash technique is essential IMO to keep the surface scratch and swirl free, so it’s important to stay away from automatic car washes, the many hand wash car washing places, and never let the Seat dealer wash your car (a.k.a the scratch and swirl treatment).
Thanks. I am getting the bonnet detailed next week along with an alloy wheel refurb. Car should look mint once done
 

plus

Active Member
May 12, 2020
8
4
Spain
Machine polish? Is there anything I can do by hand? What products would I use?
I’m actually thinking of getting them wrapped. Maybe gloss black or carbon fibre. Won’t have to worry about scratches then.
you can do it by hand but you will take more time than use a machine polish.
My recommendation: use a flexipad https://flexipads.com/product/40800-2/ and merzena polish, start with 2500 then use polish carpro essence
I used both in my car recommended by a specialist in Spain (Maesal retailer) there are several videos to help you and the results are incredible

Also never, never, never clean your car on a car wash with rollers.

IMG_20200719_122228.jpg
 
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SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,387
1,278
Machine polish? Is there anything I can do by hand? What products would I use?
I’m actually thinking of getting them wrapped. Maybe gloss black or carbon fibre. Won’t have to worry about scratches then.

I wouldn’t get them wrapped in gloss black. With gloss black vinyl, you’ll have the same issues that you currently have with the piano black gloss trim pieces - they’ll show scratches and swirls.

If I was going to get them wrapped, I’d probably get them done in a matt or satin black.
 

Aaftab Mughal

Active Member
Jun 4, 2020
57
10
Slough
I wouldn’t get them wrapped in gloss black. With gloss black vinyl, you’ll have the same issues that you currently have with the piano black gloss trim pieces - they’ll show scratches and swirls.

If I was going to get them wrapped, I’d probably get them done in a matt or satin black.
No not gloss. I’d maybe go for a matt carbon fibre look.
 

Sjdickso

Newbie
Apr 21, 2005
173
21
I have heard Soft99 Piano Black Restoration Kit, Removes Scratches from B-Pillars, i have not tried it myself just from what i have read about.
 

vectra

Active Member
Sep 3, 2011
128
41
I have heard Soft99 Piano Black Restoration Kit, Removes Scratches from B-Pillars, i have not tried it myself just from what i have read about.

Removes would be a strong word to use, I would say it covers them up. More than likely it is a Glaze product.
 
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