fixing paint scratch and/or cracks?

[Xcobra]

I have noticed some scratches on my car on the rear right door and on the hood, they look as if they took some sand paper and sanded it slightly. Any product out there that helps with this?

Also, there is a crack in the paint on my rear left door. How would this be fixed? Ill get some pictures soon if you need visual aid... Thanks guys!

Pics:

Crack
Door Scratch
Hood Scratch

The hood scratch is not very visible but it looks like the door scratch.

 

[bruceb]

Well, for just the scratches, use Polishing Compound and if you have one
a polishing machine with a cloth head. You want one that does not go very
fast and use very light pressure or you will burn through the paint. As to the
cracked paint, for that you need a body shop. It will need to be sanded down,
then new paint & clear coat feathered in & polished. About $200 or so depending
on your area.

 

[Xcobra]

cool...any specific brand for the polishing? I am mainly concerned about the scratches cuz they look ugly, ill take care of the crack when time and money allows....thanks!

 

[bruceb]

Not really. Any good polishing compound, say from Turtle Wax
will be fine. Just be sure Not to use Rubbing Compound as
that is very aggressive.

 

[fstime]

Depending on the damage, an orbital buffer along with the proper polishing compound and pad can remove minor defects from a cars clear coat.

Autogeek sells the Porter cable Orbital Buffer in a complete kit with pads and all the polishes, sealants, etc that you need.

The complete kits are usually around $250.

Edit: Like I said, everyones situation is different, they make several different pads with different "cutting" power and several polishes rated from mild to abrasive.

If this all sounds too much for you, it might be better to take the car to a respectable detailer. But most impotently. we needs pics, if the damage is too much, a buffer won't even help.

 

[Xcobra]

would it be easier to just go to a paintshop and have the scratches AND the crack fixed there? it seems that to fix the scratches a lot of money is needed, opinions?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Xcobra
would it be easier to just go to a paintshop and have the scratches AND the crack fixed there? it seems that to fix the scratches a lot of money is needed, opinions?

of course it would be easier.

To get setup with the first round of detailing supplies it can be expensive, but you get several uses out of them.

Meguair's online has some great advice, their G110 machine is a great value. I use the Porter Cable 7424 DA which can be bought for $99 online through http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi..._buffer.htm?E+coastest

This comes with the counter wieght from the 7336 for 6" discs...

You can also pick up the kit with the lake country hook and loop pad for $115:
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi...618ffaf92af+1209455268

autopia.org is also a great place to look for advice. Take a couple digital pics and post them up there...they will tell you exactly how to fix it.

 

[Xcobra]

I dont want to go through all that spending since first, I am broke and second, its an old car (1996 altima). I was just trying to get rid of those scratches because they look ugly.

 

[alkemyst]

You still don't have to buy much, but it's going to require more armwork. Taking it to the shop would be the most expensive and since you proposed that then investing in equipment was an option.

Go to autopia.ORG and post up some pics and they can let you know. Just make sure you say you aren't looking to spend alot.

 

[Xcobra]

cool! Thanks alkemyst! will take some pics and will show them to you guys too!

 

[Xcobra]

edited for pics!

 

[alkemyst]

The crack you'd need to feather and touch up...it'd be hard to remove all traces of that....the other scratches seem like someone wetsanded half-assed at one time.

I'd get some 2000 or higher wet sandpaper and lightly get it as even as possible. Then I'd use some rubbing compound and finally something like Scratch-X and a final coat of wax. I'd buy the scratch-X first and maybe the wet sandpaper and see if those two items don't do it for you. The Scratch-X may be able to fix it.

Work side to side the same direction the major run of the panel goes (for a door you'd want to buff front to back to front of the car).

Use a microfiber cloth and not a T-shirt or 'rag'...pure cotton terry cloth is ok if you have them, but not as good as MF.

 

[bruceb]

Personally, I would not Wet Sand except as a last resort.
Just try the polishing compound with the Orbital Buffer first.
That should fix it. If it really needs more than that, you should
leave it to an expert as they have other techniques & the
experience needed to correctly fix it easily. And it most likely
will need pro help for that crack, if you want to look like a
factory finish.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Personally, I would not Wet Sand except as a last resort.
Just try the polishing compound with the Orbital Buffer first.
That should fix it. If it really needs more than that, you should
leave it to an expert as they have other techniques & the
experience needed to correctly fix it easily. And it most likely
will need pro help for that crack, if you want to look like a
factory finish.

He doesn't want to buy a buffer.

Scratch-X by hand would be a proper first step.

 

[Xcobra]

Thanks! I will look into scratch-x...so you say first apply the scratch-x , if that doesnt work, then sand it down and then use scratch-x again? Am I getting it right?

 

[Gerbil333]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I was about to post a similar one. Any ideas how to fix this? http://www.jseaber.com/chipped.jpg

It's on the roof of the car and I can't find it unless I'm looking for it (it's under 0.5" wide), but I'm afraid it could get worse and later cause rust :/ The rest of the car looks good.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Xcobra
Thanks! I will look into scratch-x...so you say first apply the scratch-x , if that doesnt work, then sand it down and then use scratch-x again? Am I getting it right?

Yeah..but don't really think if it as sanding it down. You want to be light and just try to massage out the scratches so the whole area is 'dull'...then polish.

Scratch-X may be enough with some elbow grease.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I was about to post a similar one. Any ideas how to fix this? http://www.jseaber.com/chipped.jpg

It's on the roof of the car and I can't find it unless I'm looking for it (it's under 0.5" wide), but I'm afraid it could get worse and later cause rust :/ The rest of the car looks good.

is the paint around that secure...looks like the area is lifting. For that you really can't touch it up.

If it's all secure just fill in the cracks with paint...use a toothpick or paper match (or buy some 00 and smaller brushes).

Don't try to use the touchup paint's built in brush.

 

[Xcobra]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Xcobra
Thanks! I will look into scratch-x...so you say first apply the scratch-x , if that doesnt work, then sand it down and then use scratch-x again? Am I getting it right?

Yeah..but don't really think if it as sanding it down. You want to be light and just try to massage out the scratches so the whole area is 'dull'...then polish.

Scratch-X may be enough with some elbow grease.

can i get scratch-x in any store like kragen's? how about the elbow grease? I am mainly concerned about the scratches for now and will take care of the crack later...

 

[alkemyst]

scratch-x is widely available. Elbow grease is your own hard work. It should be about $5-9 a tube. Harbor Freight here had some for $4...

 

[Xcobra]

sounds good! I think ill try that this weekend...will inform asap! thanks alkem!