Help with removing a scratch

[firestorm225]

Me and my dad bought a new car last week (2007 Honda Civic LX Sedan), and only after a couple days, somehow I already managed to put a scratch on it I don't know anything about car maintenance, but I thought I'd try to fix it. On the scratch, the paint came off, and since I had touch up paint, I just filled the hole with touchup paint, and here's my crappy results:



As you can see, the edges of the scratch are still a little raised, and the place where I filled in the scratch is a little bumpy. I searched for a few other posts, but I have no clue about a lot of the stuff people talk about (rubbing compound, clay bars, wetsanding, etc). How exactly should I approach fixing this scratching and having it look half decent? Because I sure did a crappy job I know it's pretty minor, but I figure it's worth learning how to touch up scratches on this small one so I can fix larger ones in the future. Thanks!

[Graeme]

Re: Help with removing a scratch

Hi and Welcome

Have a look at this...

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1516

and browse these....

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=33

Graeme

[firestorm225]

Re: Help with removing a scratch

Thanks! Those were helpful. The only problem is my scratch took the paint completely off (down to the black rubber I guess?), so it required touch up paint, and I think I even did that part improperly. I was thinking of sanding it down and starting over but I'm afraid to put sandpaper to the car.

[Murr1525]

Re: Help with removing a scratch

You are getting into a tricky area for a do it yourselfur.

ScratchX will not help at all.

You either need to apply the primer/paint/clear as needed... (go to the craft store and buy the tiniest bristled brush you can find and apply sparingly, then come back a few hours/days later for a second coat,etc), and then live with it. Or, apply, let dry/cure a little, then wet sand, and get into all that, which isn't my department.

[gorin002]

Re: Help with removing a scratch

personal i would tused a sandbar i do you have like motip bumper to black

annway welcome to the forum

i know how it feels.long time ago when we had hore volvo 340
i drove back hit a pole demage all lamp unit cost lot of money to repair

[tguil]

Re: Help with removing a scratch

You are getting into a tricky area for a do it yourselfur.

ScratchX will not help at all.

You either need to apply the primer/paint/clear as needed... (go to the craft store and buy the tiniest bristled brush you can find and apply sparingly, then come back a few hours/days later for a second coat,etc), and then live with it. Or, apply, let dry/cure a little, then wet sand, and get into all that, which isn't my department.

I second the ".. and then live with it..." I've done a bunch of touch ups in the past 45 years -- both brush and spray can. I'm pretty darn good at it, BUT none have come out as good as new. If it really bothers you head for a pro. I have a friend who has a detail shop. He has a bumper touch up process that works pretty well.

Tom