How To: Easily Remove Scratches From Behind Door Handles

**AutopiaTech** · 09-05-2011, 12:26 PM

So you finally purchased the complete line of Wolfgang polishes and the vaunted Flex XC3401. You polish your entire vehicle, removing swirls and scratches, and after you apply the Deep Gloss Paint Sealant you stand back and admire your work. Everything looks great except one thing. The scratches behind the door handles stand out like a sore thumb. You have your Flex XC3401 in one hand, and a bottle of Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover in the other. Confused, you look at both thinking how am I going to remove those scratches from behind the door handles? It`s actually really simple, you just have to think outside the box a little.

You have a couple different options for removing the scratches. Grab a bottle of polish or compound along with some applicators. A microfiber applicator is ideal because it`s easy to hold while working in tight spots. Although in this instance, the microfiber applicator wasn`t abrasive enough so I grabbed a Griot`s Garage 3" Orange Cutting pad along with a Griot`s Garage Mini 3" Pad Holder. The orange pad is more abrasive than a microfiber applicator making it ideal for this application.

It`s a good idea to tape off the door handle to make clean up easier. As you can see below, the Griot`s Garage 3" Mini Pad Holder makes holding the orange cutting pad a breeze. Just like you normally would with hand application, thoroughly work the polish into the paint.

If clearance is an issue, you can simply hold on to the 3" orange pad using two fingers.

Wipe off the polish and move on to a finer polish. I used the Wolfgang Finishing Glaze along with a Wolfgang Finger Pocket. The Wolfgang Finger Pocket is less abrasive than the orange cutting pad used for the first step. This step further refines the surface, bringing out maximum clarity and gloss.

Wipe off the polish and inspect your results!

The paint behind the door handle is now smooth and glossy, like the rest of the vehicle.

With the help of quality polishes and a little creativity, you too can remove the scratches from hard to reach areas of your vehicle.

Wolfgang Car care
Griot`s Garage Car Care

**Old Pirate** · 09-05-2011, 02:32 PM

Great write up on this area that`s not talk about alot here. I myself use Orange Light Cutting Applicator or White one when polishing this area.

**glfahlc** · 09-05-2011, 06:30 PM

thanks for that write-up... thats always been one of those hmmmmm problems for me.

**Flannigan** · 09-05-2011, 07:20 PM

Great write up on a commonly overlooked area!

Originally Posted by zoomzoom mazda5

Great write up on this area that`s not talk about alot here. I myself use Orange Light Cutting Applicator or White one when polishing this area.

This is what I do as well. Seems to get the job done!

**Addicted2Bling** · 09-05-2011, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by AutopiaTech

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You can blame women and their long fingernails for that mess!

**Bill D** · 09-05-2011, 08:23 PM

It`s always been a pain and I`m glad to see those special pads for this job. I`ve installed clear bra type door cup guards on my cars but they don`t make them for every single type of vehicle so definitely keep this thread handy.

**Stokdgs** · 09-05-2011, 11:16 PM

I have had great success with Meguiars 105 and a small white cotton towel cut and sewed to fit 2 fingers in it. This compound cuts fast as we all know, and finishes down beautifully.
Always works, gets the worst fingernail scratches out every time.
DanF

**ca.detailchick** · 09-05-2011, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Addicted2Bling

You can blame women and their long fingernails for that mess!

Yeah but they are so worth it arent they?!

**ca.detailchick** · 09-06-2011, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by Stokdgs

I have had great success with Meguiars 105 and a small white cotton towel cut and sewed to fit 2 fingers in it. This compound cuts fast as we all know, and finishes down beautifully.
Always works, gets the worst fingernail scratches out every time.
DanF

Do you sew too or does your wife make these?
I use terry cloth with megs 105 also.

**Ted S.** · 09-06-2011, 12:10 AM

Great tip Nick!

I always wondered how people fit buffers behind door handles.

**rwisejr** · 09-06-2011, 05:41 AM

Nice tip with the finger pockets . I have only used them for applying metal polishes. Thanks !!

**Todd@RUPES** · 09-06-2011, 08:10 AM

Great work Stig!!! To me it is the details that make a detail (really original, I know!).

**Bunky** · 09-06-2011, 11:09 AM

I have used M105/M205 with an applicator.

**Beemerboy** · 09-06-2011, 11:20 AM

I find it interesting that a foam pad would remove the scratches. I don`t find foam to get that good a bite on the surface. I also wonder if this WG product has a filler and that helped in masking them?

**AutopiaTech** · 09-06-2011, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Beemerboy

I find it interesting that a foam pad would remove the scratches. I don`t find foam to get that good a bite on the surface. I also wonder if this WG product has a filler and that helped in masking them?

Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover contains no fillers, waxes, or glaze. It`s a pure water-based polish. It took several minutes of rubbing to remove the scratches, but they`re definitely gone. They weren`t really that deep to begin with, as the area was still smooth before using the polish. I would guess that as long as the vehicle has been around, the paint has never been polished behind the door handles.

Some things just work.