T-cut... does it work?

kboss2010

:mad:Some numpty has scraped the back of my car just above the bumper. My car is silver but whatever hit it was white and has left white paint transfer with the scratches (it's a good 10cmx10cm area so probably a white van!)

What's the best stuff to use to remove the scratches and restore the colour? The reviews on amazon of t-cut colour fast seem mixed.

thanks!

F1F93

Firstly wash your car (it may come off then).
Next use any sort of polish. I've heard good things about AutoGlym Super Resin Polish. It has a mild abrasive and fillers to mask scratches.

If not, try a more abrasive polish. Have a look on the detailing world forums for suggestions of good abrasive polishes.

Bear in mind that if its gone through the clear coat, no polish will remove it, it'll be a respray, but one with fillers (like the AutoGlym) will help to mask it.

pete428

like above, autoglym super resin polish is good stuff. check if you have any white spirits or thinners about the house/garage, give it a rub with that first to get the white marks of, then see what the damage it like. You might be able to work with the scratches if there not too deep, rub a small blob onto the car, then with a soft cloth (micro fibre, would be best as you dont want to rub with a rough cloth andend up with more scratches) buff off. if your not getting them out, got to a valeter or bodyshop and ask if they can buff it out with a buffer machine. i would like to think they wouldnt charge you, but you never know.

fivetide

Basically, if it is on top of the paint, then T-Cut or AutoGlym Paint Renovator will shift it.

However, if you can feel the mark with your nail, going into the paint, then it won't really make much difference as it can't replace paint that has been removed.

If it really bothers you then a smart repair should be good or if you are patient, get the touch up paint from the dealer and cover it yourself.

topdaddy_2

T cut does work but there is bit of an art to it.

mttylad

T-cut is not a magic restorer, if you want that I'll put an ad on ebay that comes with some secret chants lol.

But using it with care can restore minor blemishes - deeper cuts no.

colino

Use T Cut (or brasso) to lift off the transfer paint. Don't use anything harsher like thinners as you will just soften and potentially damage your own paint. Give a polish over and assess if it needs further attention or you can live with it.

droopsnoot

Yes, don't use thinners on it - you stand a chance of damaging the paint, depending on what kind of paint it is.

There are many types of cutting compounds of various different grades, you could even use toothpaste as a basic cutting compound. As with all polishes, use a coarser one to start with, then a finer one. An extreme case might be to use something like 1500-grit or 2000-grit (i.e. very fine) wet or dry paper, but it's really easy to cause more problems than you solve unless you have some experience.

If you've got away with your paint being basically undamaged, don't forget to wax it again afterwards - the cutting compound will probably remove any wax that was there before.

As F1F93 said, the detailingworld forum has a lot of case studies, how-tos and demonstration threads. Only trouble is, after looking on there, you'll want to do the whole car.