Best way of getting rid of these scratches?

saitrix

saitrix

saitrix

Soldato
Joined
2 Jun 2003
Posts
8,950
Location
Nottingham
Hi,

Got a few scratches, I am wondering what the best way of getting rid of them is. Here is a few pictures, I have used a touch up kit on it, done quite a few colour coats. Though I can still feel it is lower than the rest of the paint round it, even with a coat do clearcoat ontop. Now what would be my best plan of action on this?

chip1.jpg


chip2.jpg
 
Take a fine paintbrush and layer up the clear until it is higher than the surrounding paint. Then take some 1200 grit wet-and-dry paper and wet-sand it back down. Don't worry about hitting the surrounding paint as you want the area around it the same height and dulled. Then basically when you're happy with it polish it back up with T-Cut
 
Jonny69 said:
Take a fine paintbrush and layer up the clear until it is higher than the surrounding paint. Then take some 1200 grit wet-and-dry paper and wet-sand it back down. Don't worry about hitting the surrounding paint as you want the area around it the same height and dulled. Then basically when you're happy with it polish it back up with T-Cut
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I would be worried to do this on my car. Although Johnny69 shows what he can do with a tub of ***** (or similar name) and some elbow grease, so go with him!
 
Jonny69 said:
Take a fine paintbrush and layer up the clear until it is higher than the surrounding paint. Then take some 1200 grit wet-and-dry paper and wet-sand it back down. Don't worry about hitting the surrounding paint as you want the area around it the same height and dulled. Then basically when you're happy with it polish it back up with T-Cut
Click to expand...

Yeah I'll be honest I don't like the sound of sandpaper + car. :p You done it before Jonny?
 
saitrix said:
You done it before Jonny?
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Doubt it, you should never reuse a Jonny.

I know the thought of sanding the car sounds daunting but really polish is just very very very find sanding. Also, if you think back to the VX220 keying (Munchers?) he basically abrased the scratches away with fantastic results!
 
I haven't done it with clear, only with a colour but it's the same principle. Another option is to leave it slightly low then you just have to polish it in. In both cases I think you'll still be able to see where the scratches were if you look hard but they won't stand out like a sore thumb. More important is to get at least a little bit of clear in the scratches as it will stop the laquer lifting around it.

Edit: 1200 is ultra fine and it won't actually go through your paint, but it will knock the top off a high spot which is all you're aiming to do.
 
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I would start off with 2000 grit or even 2500 and not 1200. But the general idea is correct. Keep filling with layers untill higher than your existing paintwork then wet and dry it back with some fine grit. Make sure you keep it well lubricated and soak the W&D over night.
 
I did this with 1500 wet n dry paper on my RX8 to clear a couple of deep scratches someone kindly left me. Comes up fine with some elbow grease, only thing that would have made it 100% perfect would be access to a PC :(

The beamer got some paintwork that needs doing, I always like a project although it does the missus head in.

Check detailing world if you want more guide / confirmation / moral boosting :p
 
Thanks everyone! I will have to do this! I don't mind if it is still possible to see it, I just want to hide it the best I can without a respray, as it has only jsut had a respray. :p
 
As said, tho i'd use something a bit more course than t-cut for the initial polishing - farecla G3 is one of the most popular cuting compounds, then something a bit finer, then wax.

Be careful flatting the Xs off you don't want to flat through the surrounding area, carefully layer it with clear, don't just blob a load in, it'll take longer to dry, and you'll be more likely to flat through after.

Personally i'd use 800 or maybe 1200 to start, to remove the worst of the Xs USE A BLOCK, just rest it on the paint don't push down, that way you'll mainly be taking off the high areas and not all, after you got rid of the worse then 1500-2000, same don't push down, then hit it with the G3
 
I've sanded a few scratches out of my focus (same colour), there are plenty of layers of paint on there before you have to worry about ruining anything.
 
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