So I bought my s2000 a few weeks ago, knowing that one of the few defects on the car was a few spots on the hood where some touch up paint had been used somewhat sloppily leaving raised bumps of paint.

Is there a way I can safely sand these down and then maybe polish them to at least somewhat match the rest of the paint? Maybe use painters tape around them and wet sand them down? What's the safest way to do this? or is it too risky?

The last thing I want to do is make it worse.

Here are some pictures...

 

Its very possible to wet sand them down and get them more even, but you will still risk sanding down into the clear coat if you do that. I would honestly leave it alone until you could get it professionally repaired. If you use like 2000 grit and wet sand it, then use a rubbing compound and polish it back up i'm sure it will turn out fine, you just have to know when to stop.

 

sand them down a little with 1200 grit , and polish them with compound , it will be better , but maybe not 100% invisible

 

Hmmm. My last post seems to have gone into never-never land so I apologize if this duplicates.

My daughters' MY01 Spa Yellow has a few small paint chips (about 1/4 the size of a pea and showing primer, not metal). I have the OEM touch-up paint from the dealer and would like to know the best process for this repair.

What I was thinking of was a Q-tip and some polishing compound to rough-up the surface and then just place a drop of the touch-up paint on the spot. I know it won't have clear-coat, but it has to look better than a grey primer spot.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I'd thought about taking it to a local body shop (or maybe a detail shop), but didn't really want to spend hundreds of dollars if I can figure out what should be a simple repair.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Just to be sure, I don't thiink color-match is the issue. Although the S2Ki registry shows a lot of older S2Ks with either Spa Yellow or Rio Yellow (I think this latter color was only available on later cars), I went from the color-code sticker in the door jamb (Y-52), so I'm pretty sure I've got the right color paint. It's also obvious in comparing my car (MY07 Rio Yellow) with my daughter's car (MY01 Spa Yellow Y-52) that the color of my car is slightly more to the orange.

Essentially, I believe I have the right color and just need to know application tips. The OEM touch-up paint bottle seems to have a "ball-point" applicator but may also have a brush inside - I haven't opened it yet.

I talked with my local body shop guy and he gave me some tips (not recommended to use polishing compound since it will leave a residue; apply a dab of rubbing alcohol to be sure it's clean; then just apply the paint. (No charge for the advice and if anyone in the Houston area needs a recommendation for a good and inexpensive body shop, let me know.

 

Wet sand, possibly using 800, 1500, 2000, 3000, and finally 5000 grit sandpaper (depending on how much you have to remove. You may just use 3000 if it's just a little paint that needs to be removed). Then polishing compound, ideally with a random orbital polisher. I learned a lot from watching this but you can just fast forward to the latter stages where he starts sanding, then polishing.

Thanks!
Young,