I wouldn't do much else other than ScratchX unless you have an orbital buffer and real patience -- far more room to make it worse than make it better.
So what I'm guessing is a cart hit my car...
- Thread starter jigen
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Sounds good guys. I know daily drivers get their scratches, but I try hard to keep away from parked cars, etc. so it's just frustrating.
So no more messing with the compound? I don't want to hurt the clearcoat. I could just apply another coat of the Sratch X and some wax.
So no more messing with the compound? I don't want to hurt the clearcoat. I could just apply another coat of the Sratch X and some wax.
I would keep trying the Scratch-X. I don't have much experience with this kind of thing but was able to use repeated, careful applications of Scratch-X to remove some nasty marks in my Subaru, which has, as far as I can tell, paint made of some amazing compound that will scratch if you look at it too hard.
Looks MUCH better so far!
Looks MUCH better so far!
Thanks! Definitely doesn't make me cringe as much after a little elbow grease.
jjgens,
Yes, using Touch Up Paint will only make the scratchs more noticable where as, what your doing now is a really good compounding job. If anything, compound a bit more but, be carefull! You'll have to figure out when, enough is enough and what is acceptable as you may not be able to remove every single bit of the stratch(s).
From what I can see from your last picture, your almost there! Maybe a bit more but...
Also, be sure not to concentrate too much in one spot or just on the scratches. Work the area around the scratches in one larger motion as to feather in the rubbing action. I don't know if I said that right!
Yes, using Touch Up Paint will only make the scratchs more noticable where as, what your doing now is a really good compounding job. If anything, compound a bit more but, be carefull! You'll have to figure out when, enough is enough and what is acceptable as you may not be able to remove every single bit of the stratch(s).
From what I can see from your last picture, your almost there! Maybe a bit more but...
Also, be sure not to concentrate too much in one spot or just on the scratches. Work the area around the scratches in one larger motion as to feather in the rubbing action. I don't know if I said that right!
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Well I called a really well respected detail shop near me. They did a full detail on my Camaro and I was impressed with the work.
I emailed them a photo and they said it's hard to tell from the photo but I can bring it over and they can see what they can do. The service would be $55 bucks.
Now I can deal with paying 55 bucks, I am just wondering if they could possibly make things worse?
I emailed them a photo and they said it's hard to tell from the photo but I can bring it over and they can see what they can do. The service would be $55 bucks.
Now I can deal with paying 55 bucks, I am just wondering if they could possibly make things worse?
Originally Posted By: jigen
Well I called a really well respected detail shop near me. They did a full detail on my Camaro and I was impressed with the work.
I emailed them a photo and they said it's hard to tell from the photo but I can bring it over and they can see what they can do. The service would be $55 bucks.
Now I can deal with paying 55 bucks, I am just wondering if they could possibly make things worse?
No, they won't make the paint look worst, only better because they'll be using their polishes and machines.
Just let them know what you have done thus far(compounding/Scratch-X) and maybe bring along the pictures as well. Body shop/detail shops will always want to know what has been done prior to them doing the work.
They'll want to know so that, they will use the right grit of polish to start with. They won't need a fast cut as you have already started to buff the spot yourself.
Well I called a really well respected detail shop near me. They did a full detail on my Camaro and I was impressed with the work.
I emailed them a photo and they said it's hard to tell from the photo but I can bring it over and they can see what they can do. The service would be $55 bucks.
Now I can deal with paying 55 bucks, I am just wondering if they could possibly make things worse?
No, they won't make the paint look worst, only better because they'll be using their polishes and machines.
Just let them know what you have done thus far(compounding/Scratch-X) and maybe bring along the pictures as well. Body shop/detail shops will always want to know what has been done prior to them doing the work.
They'll want to know so that, they will use the right grit of polish to start with. They won't need a fast cut as you have already started to buff the spot yourself.
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The guy at the shop was nice and professional. He basically told me in his honest opinion the scratch will still be there. He said what I did so far was good but when your finger nail can catch a scratch it's at a point where they need to sand it down and repaint. Just not worth it in his opinion and mine.
He just said to keep up with the scratch X and try a really heavy duty wax that might help fill the scratch in.
He just said to keep up with the scratch X and try a really heavy duty wax that might help fill the scratch in.
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Originally Posted By: jigen
The guy at the shop was nice and professional. He basically told me in his honest opinion the scratch will still be there. He said what I did so far was good but when your finger nail can catch a scratch it's at a point where they need to sand it down and repaint. Just not worth it in his opinion and mine.
He just said to keep up with the scratch X and try a really heavy duty wax that might help fill the scratch in.
I have some advice, it may not be to your liking but if you plan on keeping the car and not selling it soon.....
I would do the best you can to reduce the evidence of the scratch but do do any extreme compounding because you will probably wear the protective clear coat down too thin!
I would just live with it. Why? Because that factory paint is going to be much more durable than almost any respray job that is done, not to mention color matching issues. I say this with many years of experience in car painting, and detail work .
If it was my car I would polish it the best I could and keep the original paint job.
The guy at the shop was nice and professional. He basically told me in his honest opinion the scratch will still be there. He said what I did so far was good but when your finger nail can catch a scratch it's at a point where they need to sand it down and repaint. Just not worth it in his opinion and mine.
He just said to keep up with the scratch X and try a really heavy duty wax that might help fill the scratch in.
I have some advice, it may not be to your liking but if you plan on keeping the car and not selling it soon.....
I would do the best you can to reduce the evidence of the scratch but do do any extreme compounding because you will probably wear the protective clear coat down too thin!
I would just live with it. Why? Because that factory paint is going to be much more durable than almost any respray job that is done, not to mention color matching issues. I say this with many years of experience in car painting, and detail work .
If it was my car I would polish it the best I could and keep the original paint job.
Yup! That's exactly what I am doing. First scratch is always the hardest to deal with right? I'm just gonna wax it up and quit with the compound. It did a good enough job.
Thanks for the response.
Thanks for the response.
Originally Posted By: tgferg67
You might have not had an issue had your car came with these.
Really those are worse look how nicked up it is, and before you say they come off and thats what there for, have you ever tried to take those off. If your lucky there not bolted into the sheet metal and its just taped in which case your paint will look totally wacked.
You might have not had an issue had your car came with these.
Really those are worse look how nicked up it is, and before you say they come off and thats what there for, have you ever tried to take those off. If your lucky there not bolted into the sheet metal and its just taped in which case your paint will look totally wacked.
Originally Posted By: R2d2
Really those are worse look how nicked up it is, and before you say they come off and thats what there for, have you ever tried to take those off. If your lucky there not bolted into the sheet metal and its just taped in which case your paint will look totally wacked.
A chip that can be touched up on a body side moulding is preferable to metal deformation - dents.
Really those are worse look how nicked up it is, and before you say they come off and thats what there for, have you ever tried to take those off. If your lucky there not bolted into the sheet metal and its just taped in which case your paint will look totally wacked.
A chip that can be touched up on a body side moulding is preferable to metal deformation - dents.
I'm one of those that park out in no-man's-land as well.
The most door dings I ever got was when I started parking in the "faculty" parking lot at college where I work. It only took me a few weeks to learn to park somewhere else.
My door ding incident I posted last year:
I parked at my local NAPA and as my wife and I were leaving the store, a car was pulling in to park next to my truck. The car was your typical "westside special" and so were the "occupants." You guys know the type, with their underwear showing and no shirts, loud music, rotten looking car, etc. I hear BAM and look up to see the passenger getting out of the car with the car door firmly pressed upon my side door. He just looks at me and says WHAT? then walks inside, along with the driver.
Well, I had to consider several things. One, my wife was with me and she doesn't need to see me get "fresh" with the local thugs. Two, with as much as I love the fact my vehicles have very few dents, scratches, and excellent paint, I would need to calm myself to the point of NOT maiming or setting them afire, etc.
So my wife and I got into our vehicle. We had been to lunch earlier and I had a 64 oz Coke/Pepsi product sitting in the cup holder. I start up the truck, roll the window down, and remove the lid. Just about the time these guys decided to start coming out the door, I simply tossed the drink through their open window, watching the contents go splashing about through their interior. As I rolled off slowly, I looked at the guy and said WHAT?
The most door dings I ever got was when I started parking in the "faculty" parking lot at college where I work. It only took me a few weeks to learn to park somewhere else.
My door ding incident I posted last year:
I parked at my local NAPA and as my wife and I were leaving the store, a car was pulling in to park next to my truck. The car was your typical "westside special" and so were the "occupants." You guys know the type, with their underwear showing and no shirts, loud music, rotten looking car, etc. I hear BAM and look up to see the passenger getting out of the car with the car door firmly pressed upon my side door. He just looks at me and says WHAT? then walks inside, along with the driver.
Well, I had to consider several things. One, my wife was with me and she doesn't need to see me get "fresh" with the local thugs. Two, with as much as I love the fact my vehicles have very few dents, scratches, and excellent paint, I would need to calm myself to the point of NOT maiming or setting them afire, etc.
So my wife and I got into our vehicle. We had been to lunch earlier and I had a 64 oz Coke/Pepsi product sitting in the cup holder. I start up the truck, roll the window down, and remove the lid. Just about the time these guys decided to start coming out the door, I simply tossed the drink through their open window, watching the contents go splashing about through their interior. As I rolled off slowly, I looked at the guy and said WHAT?
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