I was documenting damage to a customer's car today and noticed what I thought was gum or some other white substance on the back edge of a rear fender well, the plastic part where the rear bumper comes in. I ran my finger over it and found out it was a pretty nasty gouge. Maybe a thin piece of metal came from under the tire and hit narrow edge first, perpendicular to the narrow edge of the well. I wasn't able to get a pic up but it's something like taking a machete and swinging it into the narrow edge of a 2x4. About 1/16th of an inch wide at it's widest, 1/16th deep.
My first thought was carefully sand/cut off the rough edge hanging out. I won't lose any paint, it's already gone and cutting it off won't change any of the dimensions. If I don't take it out, I'm worried it will work it's way loose and pop out any filler and/or paint. Rough up the inside of the gouge with fine sandpaper then spot putty/glaze to fill in till it's close to the outside edges. Once it's dry, hit it with touchup to build a few coats, wet sand with 2500/3000 to take down any edge, polish it out.
Any other suggestions? The customer knows it will likely be a little obvious, but most anything would still be better than a nice white gouge on a dark grey Mercedes.
My first thought was carefully sand/cut off the rough edge hanging out. I won't lose any paint, it's already gone and cutting it off won't change any of the dimensions. If I don't take it out, I'm worried it will work it's way loose and pop out any filler and/or paint. Rough up the inside of the gouge with fine sandpaper then spot putty/glaze to fill in till it's close to the outside edges. Once it's dry, hit it with touchup to build a few coats, wet sand with 2500/3000 to take down any edge, polish it out.
Any other suggestions? The customer knows it will likely be a little obvious, but most anything would still be better than a nice white gouge on a dark grey Mercedes.
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