Help with paintwork scratches...

[Jonesy]

Ok, I really need to get my cars paintwork sorted out, I’ve only had it for about 2 years and it was new when I bought it, but in them past 2 years the paintwork has started to suffer from the elements of the roads.

I’ve noticed quite a few small stone chips on the lower part of my bonnet probably where I’ve been using the motorway everyday for my job. Also on the passenger side are quite a few minor scratches I think come from trees and bushes? I live near the countryside, loads of small lanes which I like to rally drive down at night .

Also I’ve got a quite deep small scratch on my drivers door about a two inches long long, its defiantly not a key, don’t know how it got there. Anyway I’ve bought some dark blue T-cut and a touch-up kit from Halfords in Monaco blue.

But I don’t want to start making the scratches worse. Just really want some tips and ideas on removing these scratches and I need help on filling the deep scratch on my door.

Thx in advance for your help

Allan

 

[BrynO]

Clean off the scratches with spirits. Gradually build up the paint in the scratch, let it dry between coats. Stop when paint in scratch is just above level of surrounding bodywork. Once its really dry (overnight ideally), wrap a poliching cloth around something like a matchbox (to give a soft, but straight edge) and use the edge to flatten the paint in the scratch back down until it is perfectly level with the surrounding body. If you use T Cut be V V careful as this will go through the laquer on your existing paint real quick, best to use a less abrasive polish. Finish off with a good wax. If you are careful you can pretty well make the scratch or chip invisible. Good luck.

 

[ManxValver]

Ive got a mssive key mark on my drivers door - really deep

Im thinking of just gettign the door resprayed - anyone know how much thatd cost?

I may have a crack with the above method first tho!

 

[BrynO]

Mine is in for one side to be done this week, being silver its really hard to get a single panel to match exactly so best to do the whole side. Easier on other colours, especially solids, silver is a real pig to work with - cost £500, I got three quotes, between £500 - £650. Its not cheap (esp when it is not an insurance claim), but you generally get what you pay for and this is an all trim off job. Certainly worth trying to touch scratches in first, before you resort to having a panel (s) painted.