Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

[dang236]

Just noticed them the other day.. They will drive me nuts until they're gone. And yea the car is filthy.. We've been having some bad weather lately here in Buffalo.

But what are your thoughts? I know they're just pictures, but do they look beyond repair? Thanks all

[WeekendGlaze]

I had a few like this on my Audi I touched up with paint I got from the dealership and some clear on top of it. There are a few more I couldn't do myself though because they are gouges and not scratches which I would rather have done at a body shop.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Bad weather in Buffalo during winter????


They do look bad enough that you won't fix them with something that you pour out of a bottle and rub on them, that's for sure. A little touchup paint and some patience can do wonders, but it can be a pretty tedious operation to get right. Still, it can be done and we'd at least go for a quick fix like that, even if only temporary. Even a so-so job would look better than these two white marks standing out so noticeably. The trickiest part of doing touchup like this is usually the blending process once the paint has dried. A little wet sanding is usually in order, but if you have zero experience with wet sanding and/or have no way to remove the sanding marks once they're there, you could very well end up with a whole new issue to fix.

[dang236]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Yea, i have zero experience with any of that.. So i guess my only option would be getting it professionally done?

Do people take their cars in to get things like this done? I can see if a whole side of your car is scratched up, but do people take their cars in just to fix a couple of marks like the ones on my car?

[tguil]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

First it appears that your scratches are not down to bare metal. Wait for a warm day to do the repair and yes, you can do an OK job especially because it appears to be low on a door. Most certainly you do not want to do a repaint. Here's a good "how to site". http://guidetodetailing.com/how-to-r...eep-scratches/.

Another thing to consider is to have detail shop fix it using the Paintless Scratch Repair method. It actually works. This one in my area but there are others around. http://mingdrdent.com/ssr/customer.html

Finally there is Dr. Colorchip. http://drcolorchip.com/

I've been fixing scratches like this for over fifty years. Just finished one on my brand new 2012 Ram pick up that has less than 100 miles on it. My preferred method is the first I listed.

You must be patient and not hurry the process. There have been times that I have spent days on the process. Apply a bit of paint and leave it for a day or two. Then apply a bit more. If you mess up, start over. The paint you will be using is lacquer and you can remove it with lacquer thinner without damaging the surrounding factory paint.

Two "safe" sources for matching touch up paint: your new car dealer or PaintScratch. http://www.paintscratch.com/

The other thing to remember is to stop when it is "good enough". You will not be able to reach absolute perfection, but you can come darn close.

Good luck

Tom

[tguil]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Forgot to mention in my above post. Never use the brush that comes in the paint bottle. You will have one big mess to deal with. Use a very fine artists brush, a paper match with the torn end cut to a sharp point or an E-ZMix E-Z Dabber http://ezmix.com/touchup.htm (scroll down) usually available from a professional auto body supply store.

Another thing, you may not want to wet sand. That's OK. I repaired a scratch similar to yours on my daughter's metallic silver Subaru. My initial painting (after a couple of applications) was "good enough" so I had the good sense to stop.

Again, good luck.

Tom

[zbestwun2001]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Forgot to mention in my above post. Never use the brush that comes in the paint bottle. You will have one big mess to deal with. Use a very fine artists brush, a paper match with the torn end cut to a sharp point or an E-ZMix E-Z Dabber http://ezmix.com/touchup.htm (scroll down) usually available from a professional auto body supply store.

Tom, I just picked up some touch up paint for my car from Toyota. One side has the brush and the other has basically what it sounds like you are referfing to. It's a sharp point that you can also apply the t/u paint with.

EDIT: Those are two beautiful dogs you have.

[tguil]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Thanks. I am very fond of those two goldens. I even fenced off a half acre of my forty acre playground so that they could have a place to romp safely. I would have fenced off the whole place but I'm not quite that fond of them.

About your touch-up paint. Scroll down on this link http://guidetodetailing.com/how-to-r...eep-scratches/ It shows you how to use the applicator. I have not actually used one. I'm still a bit "old school" as well as being just "old". I still use a small brush, match stick or dabber. The secret to a good touch up is patience.

Tom

[dang236]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Thanks for the replies Tguil.. Do you think Dr. Colorchip would be effective on these gouges? Since they're much longer than usual rock chip marks?

[tguil]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Based on your photos, I'd pick up a bottle of touch-up paint from your new car dealer and use very fine brush. I personally have not use Dr. Colorchip. The "old-fashioned" way has always worked for me. Good thing that for an "old guy", I still have a pretty steady hand.

Tom

[Garage Troll]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

Dang,

People do take their car in for small stuff like that, but it usually isn't worth it especially since it seems that this is a daily driver. I definitely think Tom's ideas are more than sufficient for you

When you do fix it, take pictures of the progress and share with us please

[dang236]

Re: Will a repaint be the only way to get these scratches/scruff marks out?

So here's an update.. This is after 2 coats of Dr. ColorChip. It's still visable obviously. But it's better than before.. I'm not sure how i feel about it