scratch removal

[Greg L.]

I was wondering how to go about removing scratches from a black base coat clear coat that is the original paint? I can't tell if it's only in the clear or if it's thru the paint to the primer. All I can say is that you can catch them with your fingernail and that they are fine and white and really stick out against the black paint! One spot looks like someone dragged a box across the trunk and then turned it around and pushed it some more the other way so if that's the case I wouldn't think it would be past the clear but what do I know?

So what do you think...white scratches in a factory black base,coat clear-coat...will they buff out?

Thanks

Greg Linton
#45455

[Tom S.]

Re: scratch removal

If it isn't to bad try a little baking soda on a damp rag and rub in a cicular motion. This works good on minor scrapes without damaging the paint, also on bugs stuck to the mirrors and the front end. Tom

[Chuck S.]

Re: scratch removal

Greg, you must have another Corvette you're not telling us about...no BC/CC in 69.

I don't think you can draw any conclusions from the fact that the scratch is white; the scratch in the clear coat would be white regardless of scratch depth. If this is factory paint, you can figure you have two coats of clear for a total dry film thickness of 2 mils (generous estimate)...that's not much.

You might first try touching up the scratch by applying clear in a narrow bead along the scratch, then after the paint has cured, use a nib file (1" wood cube with hardened steel file face) to carefully block the clear bead down near the surface. Watch the corners of the file so you don't dig in and generate new, bigger scratches. The paint will shrink as it cures, so you won't have far to go after it dries. Use 1500 grit sandpaper on a small HARD block to sand the clear repair level. Avoid letting the block contact the body surface anywhere except on the repair.

After sanding with 1500, buff the repair with 3M Perfect-It rubbing compound on a foam pad (random orbital buffer) to bring back the gloss. Then, if you have filed/sanded/buffed off too much of the clear surrounding the repair, and you buff through, you're no worse off than if you had simply set out to buff out the scratch. If you're careful and the clear repair works, you're golden...if not, you will have to at least re-clear the panel, and maybe spot the BC and undercoats as necessary.

[Jack U.]

Re: scratch removal

If you can feel them with your fingernail, whatever caused it broke the clear coat.

I was going to suggest wet-sanding.

You'll have to find a painter.

[Greg L.]

Re: scratch removal

Thanks for the advice guys. Another Corvette...sure Chuck, I wish! Actually it was a car I was thinking of buying but didn't feel too good about the scratches so I passed and by the sounds of what you guys say it would take to fix it it's probably a good thing.

[Chuck S.]

It's A Bargaining Lever, Not A Deal Killer...

If the car is otherwise had good care and looks solid mechanically, use the scratch to cry, whail, and demand a big price discount for their carelessness. The worst case is likely to be you have to scuff and re-clear a panel...not a big deal IMO.