Menzerna PolishesAfter a ton of back and forth on what the first post for The Finish File should be, my wife had the genius idea of revisiting one of our most popular write-ups from the old forum days. Back then, we’d post our more intense or complex jobs to help out fellow detailers—whether full-time pros, weekend warriors, or passionate DIYers. This one’s about the infamous Scratch Shield paint on a 2014 Black GT-R. View the original thread on Autogeek

What Is Scratch Shield Paint?

Everyone’s heard the horror stories about Nissan’s Scratch Shield Clear Coat. It’s marketed as a self-healing paint system—great in theory. The idea is simple: heat (usually from the sun) is supposed to make the paint “re-flow” and repair itself.

Sounds perfect, right? But the reality is, it doesn’t always work. If the scratch is deep or caused by something else, it won’t heal. Worse, the heat from polishing can sometimes make the scratch worse.

Through years of experience, we’ve learned that Nissan’s Scratch Shield works more like a memory system rather than true self-healing paint. Knowing this changed the way we worked with the paint during this detail job.

The Challenge:

This customer came to us with a very specific need. The paint on his newly purchased 2014 GT-R was in rough shape—thanks to the dealership’s attempt to buff it. They didn’t correct the paint; instead, they left swirls and holograms everywhere. The initial walk through revealed heavy holograms on the hood and fenders, but we didn’t realize how bad the sides were until we stripped away the polish and wax. Beneath the shine was a mess of defects, filled in with glaze.

The Process (aka the Struggle)

We dove straight into the worst part—the hood. The GT-R’s paint was soft, and I knew that would complicate things. I started with Menzerna 400 and 85RD, using my Rupes 21 and a mix of Meguiars Microfiber Discs and Buff n Shine Microfiber discs. But it wasn’t working—too much heat buildup, and the Scratch Shield was starting to revert the paint. I switched to foam pads and started using different Meguiars compounds (101, 100, 105, and 205) to see if I could get some progress. After four long hours of polishing, I wasn’t seeing much improvement.

I was frustrated—until I reached out to a couple of friends who saved me from giving up. Kevin Brown and Richard Lin, with their wealth of experience, gave me the game plan I needed to push through.

The Turning Point

Richard’s advice was simple but crucial: keep the panel cold. This meant using cold towels, ice-cold water, and microfiber towels. So, I gathered 5 pounds of ice, a bucket, and some spray bottles filled with DI water to keep the paint cool throughout the process. This was the foundation for achieving the results we were aiming for.

Key Takeaways from the Process

Once we figured out the best approach, we adjusted our process:

• Use larger polishing areas to help cool the paint.

• Slow down arm speed, to allow the polish to break down more efficiently.

• Keep the pads clean—this is critical to avoid contaminating the paint with dirt and debris.

After working with a LC Orange pad and Meguiars 105, I followed up with Meguiars 205 and a LC White pad to refine the finish. Kevin recommended adding 14 drops of 205 mixed with ice-cold water to help the pad glide smoothly and keep the surface cool.

The Results

After 20 hours of polishing (non-stop from 11 AM Saturday to 7 AM Sunday), we finally achieved a 95% correction. While there were a few minor defects that we couldn’t remove, the final result was stunning. The customer was thrilled, and the GT-R was back to looking like new.

The Lesson

This job reinforced one of the most important lessons in detailing: no one person knows everything. But with the right network and the willingness to keep pushing, the impossible can become possible. Thanks to Kevin and Richard, we were able to turn a tough job into a success. And the best part? We gained a new customer’s trust and elevated our skill level to a whole new level.

If you’re dealing with self-healing paint or have similar challenges, don’t give up. Stay patient, keep the paint cool, and keep pushing forward.

If you have a similar paint issue or want to get your vehicle detailed by a team that thrives on problem-solving, don’t hesitate to Request an Estimate or Book Online.

Some of the best moments captured from the job can be seen on the Facebook Business Page. These images showcase the transformation of this 2014 Nissan GT-R, from the initial imperfections to the final glossy finish.