Ideas to remove scuffs from grille inserts?

[James9100]

Anyone have any ideas on how to remove marks/scuffs left by grille inserts?
PO put them on, the scuffs aren’t a huge deal but I’d like to get rid of them if I can.

 

[LONGJP2]

What have you tried?

 

[James9100]

What have you tried?

Nothin at this point

 

[LONGJP2]

Elbow grease.
Good old fashioned wax/polish works for most scratches.
A Cleaner (or cutting) wax is even better.

 

[James9100]

Elbow grease.
Good old fashioned wax/polish works for most scratches.
A Cleaner (or cutting) wax is even better.

I’m don’t know too much about detailing but wouldn’t that cut through the clear coat?

 

[LONGJP2]

That's how it works. Removing microlayers of clear coat around the scratch till they're at the same level.
To me, a cutting wax is not as abrasive as a cutting compound which may leave additional scratches that need polished out.
Different brands have different names.

 

[Hopper]

Maybe goo gone and a micro fiber cloth with some elbow grease

 

[WestCoastDan]

Those large ones look more like chips in the paint with rust developing on the exposed metal.
No amount of rubbing compound will fix that.

 

[Mike Z]

I have used this with a lot of success. Removes light scratches without damaging the clear coat.

 

[MikekiM]

I have the same issue on a black TJ.

Basic rule of thumb is if you can catch a finger nail in the scratch it is too deep to buff it out. Mine are pretty deep. No way I am getting them out. I used a black paint stick.. the wax/crayon type. The scratches are still there but they are black instead of white. Bad enough that I will probably put the silly grill inserts back in. Yeah, it's that bad.

 

[James9100]

Maybe goo gone and a micro fiber cloth with some elbow grease

Oh hadn’t thought of goo gone. That might be worth a try.

 

[James9100]

Those large ones look more like chips in the paint with rust developing on the exposed metal.
No amount of rubbing compound will fix that.

Ya those are rock trips, I’d like to fix those at some point too, probably just with one of the Duplicolor touch up pens.
I’m looking at the scuffs around the slots right now.

 

[LONGJP2]

Oh hadn’t thought of goo gone. That might be worth a try.

Not saying you shouldn't try it, but goo gone is for removing stuff that's on top of other stuff.
Your scratches and scuffs are embedded into the clear coat.

Something right in the middle, like this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQYRI/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[LONGJP2]

What you're probably going to find is whatever you use will take out some of the marks, but not all of it.
It will be up to you if you want to get more aggressive with different compounds and/or buffers.
Good luck.