paint repair
 

I got hit last year whilst parked up a friends wedding (my S was the wedding car no less!!) and no one left a note, so whilst i was embarrassing the groom with the best mans speech, my car was at the mercy of some low life who didn't have the balls to admit they has hit it. thanks.

Anyway, i've not got it repaired as yet as was half expecting someone to slide into the back of me during the icy period and would be just my luck after fitting a new bumper. Anyway, a few months has passed now and I am planning on getting the car sorted soon, but am off to Le-Man and a 3 week trip around Europe in the summer and from what i hear the driving / parking in Europe can be interesting at the best of times, so will wait til i get back before replacing bumper.

So, in the mean time, I plan to make the best of the 'scrape'.

This is what it look like so far.

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...G_0072-1-1.jpg

I have ordered new tow eye cover which is the worst of it, just wanted to 'patch up' the scrape and gouge as best i can until i get sorted properly, at least to remove the black line on the bumper. I have a touch up pen.

Can anyone give me a pointers with building up / rubbing down and what grades of paper to use? I will mask off the area and try to rub down the touch-up paint so it is as smooth as possible then polish up as best i can. I have polished out alot of the scratch as is, but some is down to the plastic as you can see.

It's just a short term fix until i get a new bumper sorted.

cheers
Phil.

How wide is the scratch?

If its not too wide, clean it with some paint thinners and then carefully fill the scratch with thin layers of touch up paint until its proud of the surrounding paint.

Then flat it back with 1000 grit wet and dry (use it wet. Flat it at 90 degrees to the direction of the scratch.

Finally polish up the whole area with a scratch removal type polish.

If the scratch isn't too big an on a non metallic colour like white you should be able to make a pretty invisible repair.

cheers lower, much appreciated - any tips on which polish? I have meguirs wash / wax which seems pretty good, but there are hundreds to choose from!

It's not very deep but a bit rough around the edges....

I'll get some thinner on it and have a go, like i said, will be getting a proper job done later in the year, but just want rid of the eye sore.

thanks
Phil.

Farecla scratch removal polish has worked well for me in the past. Meguirs scratch X would do the job too i'd guess though i haven't tried it. You need something that cuts rather than just shines.

Watch this mate. Its presented by a pair of benders but the info is very useful and informative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mzfqLsrWEQ

after that video, cyber gook, i'm tempted to give mine a go. i suspect rust fixing is very different though, i'm pretty sure mine is far enough gone to need cutting out and replacing.

cheers guys, looks like a piece of cake.

I'll post up some 'after' pics when i get round to it, hopefully Sunday.

Lower - I went for Meguirs ScratchX2 as seemed good value on amazon and also the beginner clay bar set from megs for a tenner...

Abralon pads (1000 & 2000 grit) are excellent for flatting. Especially if you are brave enough to blow over an aresole of clearcoat (on a warm day!) over it which hides all manner of sins...