Hairline scratches & touch up paint?
04-24-2004, 07:50 AM
#2
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Andy
flat the area carefully with 2000 grit paper (sanding using a block and IN ONE DIRECTION).
DONT TAKE MUCH OFF.
Now buff it up with polishing compound, and check. Repeat as necessary.
This should remove hairline marks in the lacquer but obviously can't help if this surface has been breached.
If the marks are deeper fill them carefully with touch up paint (you might want to use a pin to apply the paint rather than a stonking great brush as you don't want paint anywhere except in the scratch.) before you do this and LEAVE THE PAINT TO DRY FOR AT LEAST A WEEK before you flat back. When you touch up it is okay to leave the new paint proud of the surface as there will be some shrinkage during the hardening process. I can't stress how important it is that the paint be hard before you try to flat it. (People like "ChipsAway" use special fast dry, thin paint that is unlike your ordinary gap filling touch up stick)
You must be very careful when you do this type of thing as you can write off the panel if you over-rub through the top coat!
Good luck!
flat the area carefully with 2000 grit paper (sanding using a block and IN ONE DIRECTION).
DONT TAKE MUCH OFF.
Now buff it up with polishing compound, and check. Repeat as necessary.
This should remove hairline marks in the lacquer but obviously can't help if this surface has been breached.
If the marks are deeper fill them carefully with touch up paint (you might want to use a pin to apply the paint rather than a stonking great brush as you don't want paint anywhere except in the scratch.) before you do this and LEAVE THE PAINT TO DRY FOR AT LEAST A WEEK before you flat back. When you touch up it is okay to leave the new paint proud of the surface as there will be some shrinkage during the hardening process. I can't stress how important it is that the paint be hard before you try to flat it. (People like "ChipsAway" use special fast dry, thin paint that is unlike your ordinary gap filling touch up stick)
You must be very careful when you do this type of thing as you can write off the panel if you over-rub through the top coat!
Good luck!
04-25-2004, 11:56 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Andy,
I'm no paint expert, but Jue's approach sounds like the correct way to do it. The sanding technique would make me nervous, though. If you want to try an easier but maybe less perfect approach, buy one of the touch up pens from Autovisuals.com, a Rennlist sponsor. I've used their pens for light scratches and have had much luck in using them. On my polar silver, normally a tough color to match, after I've finished touching up, I have a hard time finding the spot where I worked on.
I'm no paint expert, but Jue's approach sounds like the correct way to do it. The sanding technique would make me nervous, though. If you want to try an easier but maybe less perfect approach, buy one of the touch up pens from Autovisuals.com, a Rennlist sponsor. I've used their pens for light scratches and have had much luck in using them. On my polar silver, normally a tough color to match, after I've finished touching up, I have a hard time finding the spot where I worked on.
04-25-2004, 04:33 PM
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Try autovisuals.com -- they sell a pen that contains paint to match and is made for chips and scratches. I've used them -- works well and the staff is helpful.
04-25-2004, 05:43 PM
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04-26-2004, 05:03 AM
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That is very informative.
A WARNING THOUGH.
PLEASE DO NOT USE 600 GRIT PAPER IF YOU HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE.
YOU WILL MAKE A MESS OF IT.
Also, I don't agree with "swirling" the sandpaper as this puts lots of criss crossed scratches in the paint that are MUCH harder to remove than when they are in 1 direction.
My advice is to practice flatting and buffing only to see what you can remove safely without touch up on the lightest of scratches - you'll be quite impressed, I promise.
Then, move on to trying the paint but as I said, there is big potential to damage your car worse unless you are VERY careful, VERY methodical and VERY precise.
You have been WARNED!!!
A WARNING THOUGH.
PLEASE DO NOT USE 600 GRIT PAPER IF YOU HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE.
YOU WILL MAKE A MESS OF IT.
Also, I don't agree with "swirling" the sandpaper as this puts lots of criss crossed scratches in the paint that are MUCH harder to remove than when they are in 1 direction.
My advice is to practice flatting and buffing only to see what you can remove safely without touch up on the lightest of scratches - you'll be quite impressed, I promise.
Then, move on to trying the paint but as I said, there is big potential to damage your car worse unless you are VERY careful, VERY methodical and VERY precise.
You have been WARNED!!!
