Clay and scratches

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I have just caused a couple of fairly deep scratches around 14 inches in length on the rear door of my Alfa. I also scraped away the paint on the plastic wheel arch.

I have a Alfa supplied touch up stick to repair them. The car is ten years old and the sticks are brand new so i was thinking that there may be a variation in colour due to aging to remedy this I was going to clay the entire body.

I want to know if this increase the chances of getting a near perfect match. More specifically, what should I do with the scratch areas? Should I clay them or should I avioid them?

Once the repairs are complete, what happens if I want to clay the car at a later date, should I avoid the repair areas?

[k3ith]

Re: Clay and scratches

Is there a clear coat?

[Murr1525]

Re: Clay and scratches

I have a Alfa supplied touch up stick to repair them. The car is ten years old and the sticks are brand new so i was thinking that there may be a variation in colour due to aging to remedy this I was going to clay the entire body.

Yes, there may be a little variation.

No, clay alone will not help. Have you done much detail work before?

I want to know if this increase the chances of getting a near perfect match. More specifically, what should I do with the scratch areas? Should I clay them or should I avioid them?

I wouldnt worry about the color as much as the blobs, etc. How big are the scratches?

For small things, it is good to sand the edge to pull up any loose paint, then apply paint with a toothpick in thin coats.

You would want to avoid them for 60 days or so to let the paint set up.

Once the repairs are complete, what happens if I want to clay the car at a later date, should I avoid the repair areas?

After 60 days, you should ok to work on the areas, but dont 'focus' on them hard of course.