Touch up...

[Brand86]

Got my car back from the service yesterday, and noticed a scratch back to the paint just above the window on the driver's door, in a really noticable place. I touched it up well but still looks gash. Well I'm not happy with it any way...would polishing it down with Menzerna IP improve it (as its not flat against the rest of the paint) or should I take it back to the garage and complain? Now I have touched it up and driven it home I am scared they won't believe me.

Will try and get a photo up later. In the meantime, I am thoroughly fucked off

 

[Middo]

you could sand it flat with some ultra fine sandpaper and then pc it back to a shine. but i'd try and take it back to the garage to get them to sort it. although they'll probably just do the same

 

[Rich]

You won't knock the touch up back by IP alone, wet sand is the only way.

 

[Brand86]

Yeah thats what I was thinking too

Well I will see what they say, if not what grade of paper should I be using, never done it before...

 

[Rich]

Finest you can get Megs do some 3000 grit, 2500 or 2000 will be ok. Soak the paper overnight in some soapy water.

 

[Brand86]

Cheers mate. Is that available from Halfords do you know or...?

Nice one

 

[Rich]

Halfords sell it but not the Megs stuff, they stock the 2000 not sure on if they do any finer than that.

 

[Brand86]

I'll take a little trip down later then...thing is as its in such a visible place would rather fix it myself if possible as I don't trust the garages bodyshop either!

Thanks mate :star:

 

[TeZ]

Go to a good bodyshop then.

 

[Brand86]

What... I said I would rather not go to a bodyshop if need be. Not just this one but any. It's such a small scratch just in a visible area and would be difficult to blend in well.

 

[TeZ]

never.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Well now you've already touched it up you might as well wet sand it and polish it , you've nothing to lose . If you take it to a body shop they'll just respray the whole door , they won't piss about touchin it up .

 

[Brand86]

Yeah I know, I don't really want them f**king it up and reckon I can do it myself quite nicely, just wasn't sure about the sanding as never done it before.

For a small touch up is putting a clearcoat layer on necessary? I have touched up a couple of small stone chips on the front without clearcoat and seems to have held out...?

 

[MRBILLYUK]

You won't need any clearcoat . Just flat back the raised up paint carefully . 2000 grit should be ok in soapy water . Then you might get away with just polishing with megs scratch x .

 

[Anonymous]

Dont buy Halfrauds own wet and dry, its s**t.

I also could only get 1500 gritt in Cambridge and Peterborough Halfrauds and this is too coarse

 

[Brand86]

I just found some 3M "Wetordry" in my garage, would this be ok to use?

Seems very fine in terms of coarsness, almost smooth?

 

[TeZ]

yes but what grade is it

 

[MRBILLYUK]

^^^ What does it say on the back , the grade ? I wouldn't use any less than 2000 grit tbh . Better to to take off a little at a time than too much. I've used Halfords own in the past and never had a problem . You could always try a local body parts suppliers .

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Edit:

 

[Brand86]

Erm its like half a sheet, and I guess the part with the grit size on it has been used already!!

It is mighty mighty fine though, almost like paper. Quite a dark greyish colour (not sure if 3m colour code their grades?)

Also, when you say "soapy water" what sort of soap do you mean, a detergent or car shampoo?

Cheers guys.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I'd just buy some 200 grit mate tbh . It always comes in handy .

 

[Brand86]

Bump

Also, when you say "soapy water" what sort of soap do you mean, a detergent or car shampoo?

Cheers.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

A drop of washing up liquid , gives it a bit of lubricity .

 

[Rich]

The guy that I know who restores Classic Jags uses soap as in the bar type you wash you hands with, I soak the paper in water with car shampoo - normally Megs Shampoo Plus.

 

[Brand86]

Thanking you both kindly! :star:

Its going to be a bit strange taking some sandpaper to the car though! Will have a little test effort somewhere out of sight first of all though I think.

And if I damage the car then I am coming round for your fingers, and then your toes!

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Lol . Just apply gentle pressure , let the wet n dry do the work and don't be impatient if it looks like your not removing much of the touch up paint .

 

[Brand86]

Yeah thats what I have been told. I am just going to be extra careful only to touch the slightly raised surface of the area I painted and not the surrounding area. I have been told it goes very dull after being sanded, then just going to go round with some Menzerna IP on a German hand polishing pad to restore the gloss. Sound ok?

 

[Rich]

Be quicker to use the PC and spot pad, very dull is an understatement, will look shocking once flatted back!

 

[Brand86]

Be quicker to use the PC and spot pad, very dull is an understatement, will look shocking once flatted back!

I don't want to hear that!!!

Yeah guess I could just use the PC there I suppose...I just have a feeling this little mole hill is going to become a mountain very soon lol.

 

[Rich]

It is best you are prepared. Saves you being shocked as soon as you wipe the water off and see the sanded area dry.

Why spend time and effort sorting the sanding marks by hand when you have the PC to help you out ?

 

[Brand86]

I was just going for the delicate wall flower approach lol.... but yes on reflection the PC would be of more benefit!!

I am going to finally get round to order the 4" spot pad set I have been meaning to get, just hope I don't order the Onyx, more MF towels and other things I don't need also.

Too late... :evil:

Also Rich, when will you be getting that Mystery out on yours or does it just take place of pride on the mantle piece lol?

 

[Rich]

However delicate you are with the sanding you will still be left with some very flat paintwork. PC to correct it makes sense.

Good choice on the Onyx

It is wearing two coats of Mystery and will be getting another tomorrow ready to Eurofest and RWS at weekend. Just not got round to any pics, there are a few knocking round others took of it at Trax.

 

[Brand86]

Cool, any links? How did you find it - worth the price?

Just about to buy the Onyx but - out of stock at CAS Just emailed Tim to see when he is getting some back in. Was going to give it some Collinites after polishing before going back to uni more for protection than for looks. If Tim gets the Onyx back in, would Onyx work with the Collinites over the top or is that a bit pointless you reckon?

 

[Rich]

Would add to the looks if used over the Collinite.

There should be a couple here in Gazeratti's thread http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=258782 Will try and grab some pics in the morning.

A slight improvement over BOS when I did a 50/50 on a panel looks wise, but at the expense of it being a pain to apply (very hard in the pot due to the Carnuba content) and to remove when left on for the time the pot says. All the others I have, Onyx, Saphir and BOS had been easy on and off shame the Mystery is not so!

 

[Brand86]

Use it over the top of the Collinites you say? Was going to try it the other way round but will listen to your worldy widom (pending on the Onyx coming back into stock!)

Not the glowing report I had been expecting for the Mystery then...will have to go for an even better one next time then eh lol!

 

[Rich]

Chances are the Onyx won't give you Collinite durability so ideally you need to get the durable wax to be a good base and use the Onyx for looks.

Don't get me wrong it looks superb, better than the BOS which I love, the non ease of use has tainted it a bit, especially as the Zymol Destiny is easy on and off which is what I was going to save up for a whole pot of. I don't regret buying it just wish it was easier to use. I know to put a coat on tomorrow is going to take over an hour compared to 15-20 mins for Onyx or BOS.

 

[Brand86]

Yeah I guess that makes sense... I was thinking the Collinites over the Onyx would lock it in? If I am feeling frisky I might try layering Onyx > Collinites > Onyx.

But that would make my intended process on the details Mezerna FF, AG SRP, AG EGP or Jeffs AJT, CG Wet Mirror Finish then those waxes.... which may be a little OTT, you think?!

Yeah get some photos up of the wax, always interested to try and see the difference in 50/50 shots but a lot easier to notice in the flesh I think...

 

[Rich]

They way I look at it to get the most durable product bonded to the paint, that way it should still be there even if the Onyx wears off the top.

TBH I would do Menzerna FF, AG SRP, Jeffs AJT x 2/3 and top with the Collinite and then add a coat of Onyx after the first wash.

Camera would not pick up the difference in look of the BOS and Mystery. The guys on DW sell in the main advantage of the Mysterty as Durability, no need for a winter prep this year for me then lol.

 

[Brand86]

Would you not bother with the WMF then? When I first used it I was a bit sceptical but it does seem to retain a really decent shine. Anyway, that was my planned route, as the Onyx won't be here until Monday and I am going back to Leeds on Saturday I am going to have my work cut out - pretty much going to be working on the car until then. Loser!

Yeah I guess durability is a big thing, if the Mystery lasts for say 3 or 4 months then its worth it I guess - although no doubt you will still be doing a new layer every week or so lol.

 

[Rich]

I don't like putting anything but wax over a sealant when it comes to the winter prep.

Nah just once a month !