Is This a Minor or Major Scratch??? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Army333 · 06-01-2011, 11:04 PM

I've posted about these pictures before, but I have a completely different question to ask:

1) Is it true that if not taken care of right away, scratches can casue further damages? I read that in the owners manual, but it seems too serious for a scratch.

2) Can anyone tell if this would be considered a minor or major scratch (pictures below)? The owners manual states that Major Scratches should be taken care of right away to prevent further damage (as asked in question 1). But from what I read about Minor Scratches, it seems like I can wait to have it fixed. I only want to wait in case I get more so I can have them all taken care of at one time. With that said; I see my issue as a minor scratch, and that's why I asked question 1. But I wanted to get another's insight as I am still new to the car world (or...actually taking care of my car

to the point of OCD...which I have). It was the work of a rock and my driving behind a semi-truck. It feels rough but only because I feel that the paint was pushed back a little. I could be wrong.

Thanks for all the help!!!

Adam's Polishes · 06-02-2011, 12:00 AM

That looks like more of a gouge than a scratch (so I guess I'd say major) but pictures sometimes tend to make things look worse than they are.

Synner · 06-02-2011, 08:48 AM

Typically if its through the clearcoat or you can easily catch your nail in it then its considered a major scratch because it can't be buffed out. It will cause damage if it goes to bare metal as it will begin to rust but it doesn't look like it has. Can't really tell from the pic if its just in the clearcoat or it made it to the color layer. As long as you can't see metal just get it fixed when you can but its not like you need to do it tomorrow.

motorhead · 06-02-2011, 08:57 AM

In my book that is a major gouge. It's completely down to the metal. Which means ,in time it will rust. If it were mine I would get it fixed sooner rather than later.

Iwantone2 · 06-02-2011, 09:17 AM

Army333, do you happen to know what caused that scratch/gouge ?

rlem00 · 06-02-2011, 03:46 PM

I would say that if it breaks a layer of paint, be it clear, base coat, primer, or ecoat, you run the risk of further damage to the coating. When you break a layer of paint you allow for moisture to enter the coating system and over time it will creep into the coating causing the defect to grow. These coatings are designed to resist this, to a point, but not long term. I would say get it clean and fix it ASAP, but would not worry too much as if it's repaired it will remain a cosmetic blimish only! I would worry more if it is down to the substrate.

Army333 · 06-02-2011, 09:53 PM

I believe it was a rock that I hit while driving behind a semi-truck.

I was hoping it wasn't too bad. The body shop said they could fix it but would have to strip the paint, resand, and then reapply. The total amount was going to be $680.00.

Is this a just price?

Army333 · 06-02-2011, 10:42 PM

Here's a close up I was able to take:

2010 SSRS · 06-02-2011, 10:45 PM

ouch, that is definitely major.

Army333 · 06-02-2011, 11:15 PM

Ouch to my ears...LoL

Will adding a coat of wax help protect it until I have it fixed? And if so, usually how long will the coat last?

bowtie628 · 06-02-2011, 11:53 PM

thats a bad one.. you can do one of 2 things.. touch is up with a brush with touch up base coat then use a brush to put a layer of clear on, or you can have a shop blend that area..

wax wont protect that.. it doesnt look like its down to the metal.. but if it is, i would at least touch it up to protect it..

Rob.. auto body painter..

Gene Culley · 06-04-2011, 08:56 AM

I honestly would buff it just to get anything out that was possible, and probably not much here, and then I would get a touch-up marker... I get mine from automotivetouchup.com and then I would touch it up. I would then wet sand it followed by a buff again and you probably won't even notice it is there that much.

I had a IBM 2009 Pontiac G5 GT. I was adding a supercharger to it and had it running in from of my house. I got out and went into the garage to get something, coolant or something, and I didn't have the ebrake on and it coasted forward dragging the bottom of the door along my stone along my driveway. It was just high enough to remove about a 2 foot section of paint on the bottom of my door. It was only about a 1/4 high and 2 feet long. I got the marker from Automotive Touch Up and then I sanded and buffed and you would never notice it was there.

L99CAMA2011 · 06-04-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army333

Here's a close up I was able to take:

You know since this was first posted don't you think you should maybe touch it up with matching factory paint by now

. Also you need to rub your finger on it and tell us if it is deep into the metal or not. If not just touch it up, get 1500 grit sand paper and that kit that levels off the touch up paint and call it a day.

06-01-2011, 11:04 PM	#1
Army333 Drives: 2011 2SS IBM CAMARO Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: California Posts: 28	Is This a Minor or Major Scratch??? I've posted about these pictures before, but I have a completely different question to ask: 1) Is it true that if not taken care of right away, scratches can casue further damages? I read that in the owners manual, but it seems too serious for a scratch. 2) Can anyone tell if this would be considered a minor or major scratch (pictures below)? The owners manual states that Major Scratches should be taken care of right away to prevent further damage (as asked in question 1). But from what I read about Minor Scratches, it seems like I can wait to have it fixed. I only want to wait in case I get more so I can have them all taken care of at one time. With that said; I see my issue as a minor scratch, and that's why I asked question 1. But I wanted to get another's insight as I am still new to the car world (or...actually taking care of my car to the point of OCD...which I have). It was the work of a rock and my driving behind a semi-truck. It feels rough but only because I feel that the paint was pushed back a little. I could be wrong. Thanks for all the help!!! Attached Images __________________ 2LT Robert Anthony Ramirez CA Army National Guard 330th Military Police Company

06-02-2011, 09:17 AM	#5
Iwantone2 Voice Of The Voiceless Drives: CGM 1SS RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OC Cali Posts: 9,617 View My Garage	Army333, do you happen to know what caused that scratch/gouge ? __________________

06-02-2011, 09:53 PM	#7
Army333 Drives: 2011 2SS IBM CAMARO Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: California Posts: 28	I believe it was a rock that I hit while driving behind a semi-truck. I was hoping it wasn't too bad. The body shop said they could fix it but would have to strip the paint, resand, and then reapply. The total amount was going to be $680.00. Is this a just price? __________________ 2LT Robert Anthony Ramirez CA Army National Guard 330th Military Police Company

06-02-2011, 10:42 PM	#8
Army333 Drives: 2011 2SS IBM CAMARO Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: California Posts: 28	Here's a close up I was able to take: Attached Images __________________ 2LT Robert Anthony Ramirez CA Army National Guard 330th Military Police Company

06-02-2011, 10:45 PM	#9
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,187 View My Garage	ouch, that is definitely major. __________________ Jannetty Racing JRE Street Package

06-02-2011, 12:00 AM	#2
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	That looks like more of a gouge than a scratch (so I guess I'd say major) but pictures sometimes tend to make things look worse than they are.

06-02-2011, 08:48 AM	#3
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	Typically if its through the clearcoat or you can easily catch your nail in it then its considered a major scratch because it can't be buffed out. It will cause damage if it goes to bare metal as it will begin to rust but it doesn't look like it has. Can't really tell from the pic if its just in the clearcoat or it made it to the color layer. As long as you can't see metal just get it fixed when you can but its not like you need to do it tomorrow.

06-02-2011, 08:57 AM	#4
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	In my book that is a major gouge. It's completely down to the metal. Which means ,in time it will rust. If it were mine I would get it fixed sooner rather than later.

06-02-2011, 03:46 PM	#6
rlem00 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 100	I would say that if it breaks a layer of paint, be it clear, base coat, primer, or ecoat, you run the risk of further damage to the coating. When you break a layer of paint you allow for moisture to enter the coating system and over time it will creep into the coating causing the defect to grow. These coatings are designed to resist this, to a point, but not long term. I would say get it clean and fix it ASAP, but would not worry too much as if it's repaired it will remain a cosmetic blimish only! I would worry more if it is down to the substrate.

06-02-2011, 11:15 PM	#10
Army333 Drives: 2011 2SS IBM CAMARO Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: California Posts: 28	Ouch to my ears...LoL Will adding a coat of wax help protect it until I have it fixed? And if so, usually how long will the coat last? __________________ 2LT Robert Anthony Ramirez CA Army National Guard 330th Military Police Company

06-02-2011, 11:53 PM	#11
bowtie628 Auto body and paint guy Drives: 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 815	thats a bad one.. you can do one of 2 things.. touch is up with a brush with touch up base coat then use a brush to put a layer of clear on, or you can have a shop blend that area.. wax wont protect that.. it doesnt look like its down to the metal.. but if it is, i would at least touch it up to protect it.. Rob.. auto body painter.. __________________

06-04-2011, 08:56 AM	#12
Gene Culley Account Suspended Drives: 2013 SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boyertown, PA Posts: 1,374	I honestly would buff it just to get anything out that was possible, and probably not much here, and then I would get a touch-up marker... I get mine from automotivetouchup.com and then I would touch it up. I would then wet sand it followed by a buff again and you probably won't even notice it is there that much. I had a IBM 2009 Pontiac G5 GT. I was adding a supercharger to it and had it running in from of my house. I got out and went into the garage to get something, coolant or something, and I didn't have the ebrake on and it coasted forward dragging the bottom of the door along my stone along my driveway. It was just high enough to remove about a 2 foot section of paint on the bottom of my door. It was only about a 1/4 high and 2 feet long. I got the marker from Automotive Touch Up and then I sanded and buffed and you would never notice it was there.