T-Cut or Not T-Cut?

Elwood · 04-15-2007

Taking advantage of the excellent weather today, I spent rather a long time cleaning my car inside and out.

On the Boot Panel, there is two very small spots of discolouration/corrosion? where two seperate lot of Bird Droppings have been. I usually wash these off as soon as I notice them, but have a been away a couple of days and didn't have chance.

Anyways.... Is it worth t-cutting the panel to correct? or is it more worth my while taking it to a proper paint/repair garage?

**DesignoSLK** · 04-15-2007

What is "t-cutting"?

Elwood · 04-15-2007

"T-Cut helps to easily remove surface oxidation, blemishes and mild scratches easily restoring the lustrous colour of your car in minutes."..

It's basically a coloured polish. It gets good reviews but i've never used it myself.

If I decide to t-cut i'll do some before and after pics and write a brief review.

Elwood · 04-15-2007

http://www.carplancarcare.co.uk/index.cfm?category=58

**Woolly** · 04-15-2007

Be very careful with T-cut - it is actually akin to 'grinding paste' - it removes the top layer of paint (or clear coat lacquer). It gives good results, but extended use will result in bare shiny metal.

. If you do want to try it, use T-Cut for metallic paint - it is slightly less harsh, and don't make a habit of using it.

Elwood · 04-15-2007

Cheers Wooly.

Only intend using it once just to get rid of the little inperfection, but thanks for the advice. Will save future over-use - I'll use sparingly.

Think i'll opt for the T-Cut colour fast metallic. Will try on a discreet panel first to see what the results are like prior to doing the boot panel.

**DesignoSLK** · 04-15-2007

What's the effective difference b/w T-Cut and claying?

Elwood · 04-15-2007

Unsure about claying. From what i've read on other posts this removes the layer of wax etc.. prior to doing a deep polish.

I think T-cut is more of a scratch/oxidisation fixer, bringing out the next layer of paint to cover up inperfections.

cyberdrakon · 04-15-2007

i don't know how it compares, but Meguirs ScratchX works really well for things like you are describing. Very Mild, yet works wonders. I use 3m extra fine rubbing compound for more serious things, but also removes paint.

**alroumi** · 04-16-2007

I have a Scottish friend that recomended the T-cut he keeps using it on his Xtype, I will just warn him that it could possibly remove the paint and the clearcoat with excessive use.

Thank you guys.

N4PWJ · 04-16-2007

T-Cut is very good, but over use does wear away the paint.
For this slight fade of colour due to bird crap, i would use the scratch X by Meguiars, as it is far less harsh than T-Cut and works well on this type of thing. Just make sure after you have used it to give the area a good wax and polish, to protect the paint again. I wuold recommend superguard or lifeshine after this type of procedure.

mcat · 04-16-2007

T-Cut will remove a layer of clearcoat and paint. Try Claying before resorting to this..

The following may help ....

http://www.howtocleananything.com/ti...s.asp?tid=1243

As soon as you have cleaned it get a layer of Zaino on to protect for the future.

04-15-2007	#1 (permalink)
Elwood SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Co. Durham Vehicle: SLK 230 1998 Posts: 91 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	T-Cut or Not T-Cut? Taking advantage of the excellent weather today, I spent rather a long time cleaning my car inside and out. On the Boot Panel, there is two very small spots of discolouration/corrosion? where two seperate lot of Bird Droppings have been. I usually wash these off as soon as I notice them, but have a been away a couple of days and didn't have chance. Anyways.... Is it worth t-cutting the panel to correct? or is it more worth my while taking it to a proper paint/repair garage?

04-15-2007	#2 (permalink)
DesignoSLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Vehicle: 2000 Designo SLK230 Posts: 1,678 Country: Thanks: 91 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	What is "t-cutting"? __________________ Kevin An American in Germany... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. '00 SLK230 Designo copper, '06 Saturn Vue, Cessna 172 (pilot)

04-15-2007	#5 (permalink)
Woolly Founding Member #8 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK Vehicle: 2004 SLK350 Other Toys: Cars, Bikes, Boats & Aircraft!! Posts: 972 Country: Thanks: 28 Thanked 26 Times in 16 Posts	Be very careful with T-cut - it is actually akin to 'grinding paste' - it removes the top layer of paint (or clear coat lacquer). It gives good results, but extended use will result in bare shiny metal.. If you do want to try it, use T-Cut for metallic paint - it is slightly less harsh, and don't make a habit of using it. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 2005 BMW LT - 16 countries, 2 CONTINENTS & counting 2004 MB SLK 350 Andradite Green (6 speed manual] 1999 Ducati ST2 2003 Vauxhaul Vectra 1974 Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V 1937 Norton 500 single (all still current)

04-15-2007	#7 (permalink)
DesignoSLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Vehicle: 2000 Designo SLK230 Posts: 1,678 Country: Thanks: 91 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	What's the effective difference b/w T-Cut and claying? __________________ Kevin An American in Germany... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. '00 SLK230 Designo copper, '06 Saturn Vue, Cessna 172 (pilot)

04-16-2007	#10 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	I have a Scottish friend that recomended the T-cut he keeps using it on his Xtype, I will just warn him that it could possibly remove the paint and the clearcoat with excessive use. Thank you guys. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

04-15-2007	#3 (permalink)
Elwood SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Co. Durham Vehicle: SLK 230 1998 Posts: 91 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"T-Cut helps to easily remove surface oxidation, blemishes and mild scratches easily restoring the lustrous colour of your car in minutes.".. It's basically a coloured polish. It gets good reviews but i've never used it myself. If I decide to t-cut i'll do some before and after pics and write a brief review.

04-15-2007	#4 (permalink)
Elwood SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Co. Durham Vehicle: SLK 230 1998 Posts: 91 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	http://www.carplancarcare.co.uk/index.cfm?category=58

04-15-2007	#6 (permalink)
Elwood SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Co. Durham Vehicle: SLK 230 1998 Posts: 91 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cheers Wooly. Only intend using it once just to get rid of the little inperfection, but thanks for the advice. Will save future over-use - I'll use sparingly. Think i'll opt for the T-Cut colour fast metallic. Will try on a discreet panel first to see what the results are like prior to doing the boot panel.

04-15-2007	#8 (permalink)
Elwood SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Co. Durham Vehicle: SLK 230 1998 Posts: 91 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Unsure about claying. From what i've read on other posts this removes the layer of wax etc.. prior to doing a deep polish. I think T-cut is more of a scratch/oxidisation fixer, bringing out the next layer of paint to cover up inperfections.

04-15-2007	#9 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	i don't know how it compares, but Meguirs ScratchX works really well for things like you are describing. Very Mild, yet works wonders. I use 3m extra fine rubbing compound for more serious things, but also removes paint.

04-16-2007	#11 (permalink)
N4PWJ Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast,N.Ireland Vehicle: 2006,slk280,carlsson Other Toys: Caterham Posts: 1,417 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	T-Cut is very good, but over use does wear away the paint. For this slight fade of colour due to bird crap, i would use the scratch X by Meguiars, as it is far less harsh than T-Cut and works well on this type of thing. Just make sure after you have used it to give the area a good wax and polish, to protect the paint again. I wuold recommend superguard or lifeshine after this type of procedure.

04-16-2007	#12 (permalink)
mcat Founding Member #3 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Switzerland & UK Vehicle: 2006 SLK350 MT LHD & 2009 SLK350 7G RHD Posts: 274 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	T-Cut will remove a layer of clearcoat and paint. Try Claying before resorting to this.. The following may help .... http://www.howtocleananything.com/ti...s.asp?tid=1243 As soon as you have cleaned it get a layer of Zaino on to protect for the future.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cut Steering Wheel...????	SLKman	Performance MODS for the R170	8	10-14-2008 04:06 PM
engine cut out	kit 210	SLK R170 General Discussion	8	01-09-2007 07:44 AM