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Old 08-12-2011, 04:35 PM   #1
Kunk
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Default What are my options regarding these scratches

Alright so I got my care last Monday and well two things have happened so far. One is I hit a parking curb (100% my fault) and another was somebody's car door hit my car and left a scratch. I took it to a shop and showed them the scratch and they immediately told me I need to repaint the entire panel then starting telling me the prices, so I'm not sure if he was just trying to get more money out of me. Here are pictures of the issues. ANY help is appreciated since I know nothing as far as fixing these.

Bumper:



Fender:




ANY help is appreciated. Thanks again!
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Old 08-12-2011, 09:59 PM   #2
GinRummy
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The fender doesn't look that deep, i'd try a clay bar + wax for that.

As for the bumper I don't really have an accurate input, maybe take the bumper off and take some fine grit sandpaper to the bottom then some touch-up paint? Is the bumper cracked at all or is it just chipped?
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Old 08-12-2011, 10:21 PM   #3
zombor
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Bodyshops will usually tell you to just repaint the whole panel. It won't look "right" unless they do.

You can try some Dr.Colorchip on the scratches. I've had some on mine and filled them with that. You can't see them from 5ft away and 1ft away you need to know where it is to even spot it. It's definitely *there* (you'll still see the gouge in the finish), but much less expensive than a repaint.

You might as well get some anyway, you'll get more chips and scratches eventually.
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Old 08-12-2011, 11:05 PM   #4
perds
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fender looks like a polish + buff and wax, bumper looks like either touch up paint, or repaint. it's pretty low though, so touch up paint might make it look less noticeable if you want the easy way out.
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Old 08-12-2011, 11:17 PM   #5
Kean
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First, a claybar will do nothing in this case nor will wax if your trying to remove the scratch. I would also refrain from painting or "touching up" anything until you try other methods first. More often than not (IME), body/collision shops will will suggest body work and/or repainting when PDR, touch up or some other form of cheaper correction will do.

Having said that, it looks like your options are limited on the bumper considering the gouges. Personally, I would consider zombors suggestion of touch up.

However, for the scratch near the door, I would try using a product like Meguiars Ultimate Compound followed by a finishing polish like Meguiars Swirl-X. At the very least I'll wager you will be able to dramatically improve the appearance of that scratch to the point where it will be hardly noticeable. As long as its not all the way through the color coat, that whiteish appearance will return to the original color as you polish. You may not be able (or would want to) level the scratch entirely, but see how well this solution works for you first before using touch up, etc.
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Old 08-13-2011, 01:19 AM   #6
mcganz121
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Fender will definitely come out. Has a similar scratch on my car. Will take more than a clay and a wax though... Probably wet sand then buff.
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Old 08-13-2011, 11:45 PM   #7
theSilverScooby
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if the scratch didnt reach the primer then it has a chance. wet sanding and buffing will definitely improve the cosmetics, but the scratch wont be gone. itll still be there, but very hard to spot unless you sit there and look for it. most of my customers are come to me for simple scratches such as yours.
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Old 08-14-2011, 10:20 AM   #8
scooby24
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A claybar only removes surface contaminants. It will never correct paint. For the bumper I'd just layer on touch up paint and call it good.

For the fender, it's pretty rough and would take quite a bit of time with a polishing compound. Wetsand is probably a better bet.
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Old 08-15-2011, 07:52 PM   #9
2010IOS
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Wet sand the fender, followed by a heavy cut compound, then a light compound. Finish with a fine clear coat sealant/polish.

The bumper is going to have to be resprayed. Touch up paint is going to hide the mess somewhat but it'll always be there and most likely flake off over time. Just spend the money to have it done right and stop running into curbs.
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Old 08-17-2011, 06:48 AM   #10
I WANT AN STI
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the bumper needs paint, end of story. You cant sand or buff that out. Its down to the primer/plastic and needs to be sanded, possibly wiped, primed and resprayed. They may be able to spot/melt it for you since its a small spot at the bottom of the bumper. But that is only a temporary fix and only lasts but so long. I always reccomend repaint for something like that to my customers to make it back to new and done right. You may be able to save that quarter panel with some sanding. but Im going to WARN YOU. That scratch is right on an edge, the material is incredibly thin on that, you will sand right through the clear and right through the basecoat in a heartbeat, so be incredibly careful and sand very lightly. Im thinking your going to have a really hard time getting rid of that scratch completely.The only thing you have going for you is that the clear on these cars is a little better than previous model subys. I just did some extensive paint work on a 2010 sti, but was able to save the customer some money by sanding and buffing out some very big scratches on her hood, I was impressed that the clear held up to the paper and the buffer, so at least thats a good thing for you. Than like 201010s said. some compound, a lighter compound and a polish will bring the shine back. I would normally suggest using a buffer with your compounds and polishes but do it by hand first. Using the high speed buffer will heat the clear up too much and may burn it immediately if you dont know what your doing. Try it by hand, if it seems to go well, than use the buffer but only with a polishing compound.
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Old 08-17-2011, 09:50 PM   #11
mann88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zombor View Post
Bodyshops will usually tell you to just repaint the whole panel. It won't look "right" unless they do.

You can try some Dr.Colorchip on the scratches. I've had some on mine and filled them with that. You can't see them from 5ft away and 1ft away you need to know where it is to even spot it. It's definitely *there* (you'll still see the gouge in the finish), but much less expensive than a repaint.

You might as well get some anyway, you'll get more chips and scratches eventually.
I haven't had much luck filling in scratches with Dr.Colorchip. I have found it works okay in small rock chips but that's about it.
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Old 08-18-2011, 09:21 PM   #12
zombor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mann88 View Post
I haven't had much luck filling in scratches with Dr.Colorchip. I have found it works okay in small rock chips but that's about it.
You need to be REALLY patient. Sometimes it takes a couple coats/tries to get it. I've filled tons of stuff with my kit that I probably shouldn't have been able to.
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