Scratches ...

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Paul D

Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)
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Hi all, I have a few scratches on the Disco from green laning. Looked lovely when we first got it but a few years of off-roading and it's now looking quite tired, see pics .. the scratches are everywhere including the roof, some down to primer, a couple down to metal. It's been like this since I got it as it was always intended as an off-roader/green-laner rather than just to tow the caravan .. ;)
Picture001small.jpg

Picture002small.jpg

Can anyone explain in easy (like I've never properly washed a car as I've always had company cars and used car washes at garages) terms how I might go about removing the scratches? Is it something a novice can do? What sort of cost would a body shop (or anyone for that matter) charge to get rid of the scratches and get it looking reasonable? Is there a good website or forum for this sort of thing? I've been told T-cut, but I have absolutely no experience of paint finishes, waxes, polishes or even cleaning cars at all, and I'd like to do it correctly at least once in its life. I always jet-wash it after an off-roading session, but that's more to get mud off from underneath as it's actually well-maintained and kept in good fettle, just doesn't look it!!. (Hopefully that keeps the tea-leaves away)

Reason being a friend is getting married in January and wants the Disco (He's a Landrover nut) in the wedding 'train' (something like 12, maybe more, Landrovers of various flavours) to carry bridesmaids, family members etc. ;)

I don't expect I can get it done myself in a weekend, but can see me doing a panel at a time maybe, hence why I'm asking now, not a week before I need it.

Cheers .. ;)​
 
If there down to the metal t cut wont do it.Bit of an art to t cutting well-one i aint mastered. Bit of buffing might get rid of em, might highlight em!
 
t-cut is a complete waste of time, to remove the likes of what you have you'll need a proper compound polish like Farecla G3 or something similar. you'll also need a buffer with a compound head to actually cut the paint back, doing it by hand wont remove most of the scratches but your arms will ache just from trying.

oh and a general rule - if you can catch a fingernail in a scratch its gone too deep to polish out and will need painting.

i compounded mine about 2 weeks ago for work (its now a company demo vehicle) so il upload the pics shortly and post them so you can see what can be achieved.
 
Have you asked your friend if he wants the scratches removed? After all, I assume he has seen your Disco and knows what condition it is in.

Could be that he wants the dozen Land Rovers to represent the whole spectrum from new and shiney to used and scratched.

Just a thought, that was all.
 
With any rubbing compound or adbrasive polish you will remove the clear coat first and and just leave you with a dull Epsom Green base coat so worse than ever. A good standard car polish will remove the fine marks but deep scratches will require a respray.
 
discool said:
With any rubbing compound or adbrasive polish you will remove the clear coat first and and just leave you with a dull Epsom Green base coat so worse than ever. A good standard car polish will remove the fine marks but deep scratches will require a respray.
Click to expand...

if your removing the clearcoat by polishing then your either doing it wrong or your polishing too long!! the clearcoat takes quite a long time to rub through by hand if your doing it properly, and compound is used on fresh paint to remove the orange peel so its not that harsh. standard polish doesnt contain enough of a cut to remove scratches, instead it contains 'fillers' which fill the scratch in temporarily so doesnt achieve anything long term.
 
Paul D said:
Hi all, I have a few scratches on the Disco from green laning. Looked lovely when we first got it but a few years of off-roading and it's now looking quite tired, see pics .. the scratches are everywhere including the roof, some down to primer, a couple down to metal. It's been like this since I got it as it was always intended as an off-roader/green-laner rather than just to tow the caravan .. ;)

Picture001small.jpg

Picture002small.jpg

Can anyone explain in easy (like I've never properly washed a car as I've always had company cars and used car washes at garages) terms how I might go about removing the scratches? Is it something a novice can do? What sort of cost would a body shop (or anyone for that matter) charge to get rid of the scratches and get it looking reasonable? Is there a good website or forum for this sort of thing? I've been told T-cut, but I have absolutely no experience of paint finishes, waxes, polishes or even cleaning cars at all, and I'd like to do it correctly at least once in its life. I always jet-wash it after an off-roading session, but that's more to get mud off from underneath as it's actually well-maintained and kept in good fettle, just doesn't look it!!. (Hopefully that keeps the tea-leaves away)​

Reason being a friend is getting married in January and wants the Disco (He's a Landrover nut) in the wedding 'train' (something like 12, maybe more, Landrovers of various flavours) to carry bridesmaids, family members etc. ;)​

I don't expect I can get it done myself in a weekend, but can see me doing a panel at a time maybe, hence why I'm asking now, not a week before I need it.​


Cheers .. ;)​
Click to expand...
Get some G3 brilliant suff when used properly, wont do a lot with down to the metal scratches obviously, you saw my silver un i spent a couple of hours on it with a 240v mop G3 and plenty water you cant see a mark on it now, never used G3 before but id recommend it all :d
 
Last edited:
some pics of my disco before any work, then after a compound polish and a coat of polymer .....

P11-09-09_111201.jpg


P11-09-09_111202.jpg


and after .....

P11-09-09_1647.jpg


P11-09-09_1648.jpg


P11-09-09_164801.jpg


this was just a quick job done in a day, and none of the scratches were flatted out with paper. this was just compound used on a buffer followed by a polymer coat to see how it takes.
 
Disco01 said:
Have you asked your friend if he wants the scratches removed? After all, I assume he has seen your Disco and knows what condition it is in.

Could be that he wants the dozen Land Rovers to represent the whole spectrum from new and shiney to used and scratched.

Just a thought, that was all.
Click to expand...
If he likes rusty scratched old discos , can I come :D
 
Fckn Ell Mate!

I fear things may have gone a little far for a splash of T cut.

I'm with Disco 01 above. Your mate has seen it and as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If you tarted up the paintwork you'd be frettin every time you were off road and worrying about scratching the old girl on every tree and bush you passed by.

We have a caravan and the side is covered in little dints from years from the kids in the awning, scratches whilst doing the odd barbecue, the odd handlebar prang and each one holds sentiment and memories of the holidays we've had.

All those scrtaches in the side of your disco are testiment to what a fantastic motor she is and all those great sundays you've spent in the back of beyond up to your axles in mud whilst all the rest of the neighbours are polishing their mondeyos in the drive ready for work on monday.

Clean er up if you want so the bridesmaids don't get **** all over their dresses but keep the scratches!
 
Hey Paul - I recognise those scratches. I have the matching set on mine.


I tried a bit of G10 on mine and the lighter scratches left and it came up all shiny. I think it may ned G3 to get the bigger ones.

I'm going to have another proper go with G10 on mine and see if I can get more off.


Alternatively, get a full respray and send the bill to 90boy - you know, the one who said "these lanes won't be too scratchy" - yeah, right :D
 
Tim.C said:
Hey Paul - I recognise those scratches. I have the matching set on mine.


I tried a bit of G10 on mine and the lighter scratches left and it came up all shiny. I think it may ned G3 to get the bigger ones.

I'm going to have another proper go with G10 on mine and see if I can get more off.


Alternatively, get a full respray and send the bill to 90boy - you know, the one who said "these lanes won't be too scratchy" - yeah, right :D
Click to expand...

i was right the lanes were only lightly scratchy for my paint work:p
 
LOL .. plan now is to ask mate first, I think you might be right in that he might want it all scratchy and muddy .. but I'm suposed to be taking some family member or two so I'll get a full internal valet done, maybe .. but thatll be in the New Year now or it'll just get as bad again ... ;)

I fancy trying this G3 stuff .. a few people elsewhere have also said same thing, so I guess I could make a polisher from an old electric drill/sander jobbie .. can't afford owt else, I got some wheels to buy ... and that's this months pocket money gone west ... ;)
 
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