Opinion Please

[jbuch02]

Below you will see a parking lot ding I sustained on this Machine Silver Corvette. I was able to remove white paint (the black circled area in the upper fender area) using my PC and some 3m Finesse on an orange pad but I can catch my finger nail in the remaining scratches. Didn't want to do anything else until I got some expert advice. I think I can get these out with the right products and pads - I've got the time and patience to do this right.

The 2nd picture below the 1st shows two scratches (before I buffed the white stuff out) that are all the way through to the primer. I've read a good deal here and at the Corvette forum I subscribe two. I'm now well informed about GM, factory baked clear coat and know I probably shouldn't wet sand.

Best advice I've had so far is that I could get it 85-90% with GM touch up paint and several apps of buffing compounds (no wet sanding) but the best way to correct this defect is to find a good painter. My gut reaction is to wait until I have a few more dings before I do that so, I'd like to undertake an acceptable repair that does not have to be perfect.

Thoughts?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Opinion Please

Well, with the introduction of Meguiar's M105 compound the fear of wet sanding has been substantially diminished. You could safely wet sand even Corvette clear with something safe like Meguiar's Unigrit 2,000, followed by Unigrit 3,000 and then hand rub it out with M105 with amazing results.

Especially with the low location I would think some proper touch-up and wet sanding would yield acceptable results. If you do some searching on MOL you will find MANY topics about how to wet sand properly, as well as applying touch-up paint.

Hope this helps!

Mark

[jbuch02]

Re: Opinion Please

Great .... I read you that after preparing the surface and applying the touch-up paint, I should wait a week for it to harden then do the final finish work as you suggest. Have I got this right?

As far as prep works is concerned where it goes though to the primer (the lower section) , I assume I'd wet sand it level with the products you suggest, then apply the touch-up paint with a brush, let it dry X 1 week, then rub out the area with M105. Right?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Opinion Please

Great .... I read you that after preparing the surface and applying the touch-up paint, I should wait a week for it to harden then do the final finish work as you suggest. Have I got this right?

As far as prep works is concerned where it goes though to the primer (the lower section) , I assume I'd wet sand it level with the products you suggest, then apply the touch-up paint with a brush, let it dry X 1 week, then rub out the area with M105. Right?

Well, you definitely want to give the paint some time to harden and dry. If you rush it the touch-up paint tends to lift up very easily. As for a week, that seems very safe. I have done as little as 1 hour between layers and been ok, but of course it will vary with weather and paint.

Also, a little sanding to prep that area would be a good idea. I would clay it first, try a paint cleaner like ScratchX, and then sand it. I probably play it a little more safe than others in that regard, but do what you feel comfortable with.

Otherwise, your plan sounds solid.