Deep scratches... arggggggggg :(

[Rogue Leader]

I can't win, it feels like I need bodywork done every 6 months on this car.

I don't have pics but yesterday long story short I managed to put 2 straight super thin scratches in my front bumper with my garage door. They look like they were done with an x-acto knife and are perfectly straight, about 4 inches long, thin, and absolutely through the paint you can feel them with your fingernail. I also have a short (3/4) inch one on the top of the fender in similar fashion.

This will cost me about $950 to fix, between removing and repainting the bumper and fender and replacing my hockey stripe (AGAIN ARGH!!). I just can't swing ANOTHER $1000 body repair...

So I ask you forum members... what can I do? Is there ANY WAY I can do this myself maybe filling in the scratches with a detail brush and wetsanding them? I've NEVER done it before but I'm willing to learn. IMO it doesn't need to be perfect as I'm sure within 5 years I will end up needing to paint the front bumper anyway, but I m hoping for "pretty good"?

Anyone?

[BrianGriffin78]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

I can't win, it feels like I need bodywork done every 6 months on this car.

I don't have pics but yesterday long story short I managed to put 2 straight super thin scratches in my front bumper with my garage door. They look like they were done with an x-acto knife and are perfectly straight, about 4 inches long, thin, and absolutely through the paint you can feel them with your fingernail. I also have a short (3/4) inch one on the top of the fender in similar fashion.

This will cost me about $950 to fix, between removing and repainting the bumper and fender and replacing my hockey stripe (AGAIN ARGH!!). I just can't swing ANOTHER $1000 body repair...

So I ask you forum members... what can I do? Is there ANY WAY I can do this myself maybe filling in the scratches with a detail brush and wetsanding them? I've NEVER done it before but I'm willing to learn. IMO it doesn't need to be perfect as I'm sure within 5 years I will end up needing to paint the front bumper anyway, but I m hoping for "pretty good"?

Anyone?

Trade your car in for a Z28? Kidding. I had a lot of rock chips on my hood, and had some panels repainted. Some of the over obsessed people noticed it at the car show, but most people did not. I'd wait till at least the fall winter to do anything.

[Tallboy]

The only thing you can really do at this point is minimize the appearance. Going over the painted area with some light-cut compound will "knock down" the sharp edges of the scratch. Then, go get some "Sharpies" that are close in color to the affected area, and color them in.

Short of a repaint, this is my best advice.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

I can't win, it feels like I need bodywork done every 6 months on this car.

I don't have pics but yesterday long story short I managed to put 2 straight super thin scratches in my front bumper with my garage door. They look like they were done with an x-acto knife and are perfectly straight, about 4 inches long, thin, and absolutely through the paint you can feel them with your fingernail. I also have a short (3/4) inch one on the top of the fender in similar fashion.

This will cost me about $950 to fix, between removing and repainting the bumper and fender and replacing my hockey stripe (AGAIN ARGH!!). I just can't swing ANOTHER $1000 body repair...

So I ask you forum members... what can I do? Is there ANY WAY I can do this myself maybe filling in the scratches with a detail brush and wetsanding them? I've NEVER done it before but I'm willing to learn. IMO it doesn't need to be perfect as I'm sure within 5 years I will end up needing to paint the front bumper anyway, but I m hoping for "pretty good"?

Anyone?

You might consider contacting a reputable detailing shop in your area. They will/should have experience in using products, ie; compounds, buffers, etc., which may help lessen the appearance of the scratches. If its as deep as you say, a complete repaint may be the only way to completely remove the marks.

That being said, "stuff" like this happens to us all. The important thing is to enjoy your Camaro..."**** happens"...and while we all want our cars to look perfect, its near impossible.

Contact a detailer, get their advice, and maybe they can help lessen the appearance of the scratches while saving you some money.

Good luck
Ed

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

This is a chip solution, but it very well could work for your situation.

www.drcolorchip.com

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by Tallboy

The only thing you can really do at this point is minimize the appearance. Going over the painted area with some light-cut compound will "knock down" the sharp edges of the scratch. Then, go get some "Sharpies" that are close in color to the affected area, and color them in.

Short of a repaint, this is my best advice.

yeah thats all I wanna do is minimize the appearance... I just cant swing anything else....

Originally Posted by Moose

You might consider contacting a reputable detailing shop in your area. They will/should have experience in using products, ie; compounds, buffers, etc., which may help lessen the appearance of the scratches. If its as deep as you say, a complete repaint may be the only way to completely remove the marks.

That being said, "stuff" like this happens to us all. The important thing is to enjoy your Camaro..."**** happens"...and while we all want our cars to look perfect, its near impossible.

Contact a detailer, get their advice, and maybe they can help lessen the appearance of the scratches while saving you some money.

Good luck
Ed

My detailer mentioned some things that he said maybe the body shop could do, but the shop said it needs a repaint thats it. He went over the scratch on the fender with compound and a buffer and it looks basically exactly the same.

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

This is a chip solution, but it very well could work for your situation.

www.drcolorchip.com

This actually looks like exactly what I want. I think I'm gonna give it a shot.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

This actually looks like exactly what I want. I think I'm gonna give it a shot.

SWEET! Let us know how it worked for you.

[David79z28]

I use a one stage enamel to fill in rock chips then wipe the overage off with thinner or reducer.

No matter what you use, use a wax remover first....

[2010 SSRS]

that sux.

[Rogue Leader]

How can I smooth out the surface before touching up? wetsanding? Any suggestions on grit and how???

[GrinderSS]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

How can I smooth out the surface before touching up? wetsanding? Any suggestions on grit and how???

I busted the mirror off my 2SS backing out of the garage. The dealership painted the new mirror, and of course, it had a couple specs of debris dried in the clear coat and bad orange peel.

I used 2000 grit wet sand paper to smooth it out and 3000 prep it for polishing. After polishing it looks smoother and just as shiny as the rest of the car. I used this kit for the polishing:

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

This is a chip solution, but it very well could work for your situation.

www.drcolorchip.com

THIS worked great... Its not perfect but its good from 5 feet away...

That said I think I will give it a wetsand and try it again, but overall its a great product. Someone else here mentioned using an enamel and reducer, its basically the same thing, just in a simple system with the little brushes and all. It was really easy to do and definitely worth it.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

THIS worked great... Its not perfect but its good from 5 feet away...

That said I think I will give it a wetsand and try it again, but overall its a great product. Someone else here mentioned using an enamel and reducer, its basically the same thing, just in a simple system with the little brushes and all. It was really easy to do and definitely worth it.

AWESOME!! Thanks for posting back. I'm glad you like it.