What will/won't rubbing compound do?

[Aurock]

I've got some scrapes on the front bumper and the painted section under the bumper, as well as some scratches on the doors on each side of my cruiser. I was thinking about trying rubbing compound to take them out, as I've heard it can do wonders, but I'm not sure just what it can do, or if it can do more harm than good.

Is there a risk that rubbing compound will tear up the paint more, rather than fixing a scratch?

How can you tell if a scratch is shallow enough that rubbing compound will take it out? (I assume it can't be into the paint, but how do you know if it's deeper than the clearcoat? The scratches appear white, but is that just clearcoat damage or is it primer showing through?)

Will compound take the scuffs off of the unpainted bumper area and the headlight lens as well? (Just a bit on the headlight, but it has some yellow paint in the scuffs, so I want to get that out.)

I guess my main worry is that I'm going to make things worse and end up effectively sanding the paint right off of the car rather than removing scratches...

[crusierdad76]

A lot depends on how you apply the rubbing compound
If you are doing it by hand I don't think you can hurt the paint.
If you are using a buffer well that is another story,
rubbing compound is good to remove the swirls and some light scratches
but depending on the compound most would have to be really light
3M makes a great product but it has to be applied the correct way or you can get into the paint

[Aurock]

Ok. I've just got a tub of the stuff from advance auto... I think it was turtle wax brand. Figured I'd give it a try. One thought though, on the bumper, I don't know if it will come out of that rough surface... hate to have the white marks on there from the rubbing compound like you do if you get wax on black plastic areas of a car...

[Hooligan]

I would suggest taking it to a paint & bump shop, see if you could it done for a case of beer or so.!!!!

[Aurock]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

I would suggest taking it to a paint & bump shop, see if you could it done for a case of beer or so.!!!!

Paint & bump. . . is that code for body shop? I have thought about it, but I expect that would be fairly expensive. You know of one in the eastern IA area that works for beer?

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

I would suggest taking it to a paint & bump shop, see if you could it done for a case of beer or so.!!!!

the years have gone by so quickly,it seems like only yesterday you could walk up to a mechanic and exchange small favors,now its a rip off cold hard cash world