I have a long scratch on the passenger side of my 05 Screw. The paint is fine but the clear coat is damaged. I was either keyed 2 days ago or it was a branch a month ago that I never noticed until now. How best to repair? I assume I should polish with a scratch remover but do I try to reapply the clear coat with a thin brush?

Thanks

 

Thread moved to Paint and Bodywork forum.

-Matt

 

Removing the scratch im not sure, but i wouldnt go over it with a thin brush if you clear.

 

Discovery Channel had a show on car detailing recently.

They mixed touch up paint (tup) with epoxy...and dabbed it on. When the mix dried, they carefully wet sanded it smooth, masked off the area and shot a coat of clear on.

You could not tell where the scratch had been.

 

Purchase touch up paint and clear from dealer or autoparts store. It must be touchup paint for this technique to work and you can do it as many times as you need to get it right and you will not hurt the OEM paint. Purchase a pint or quart of lacquer thinner. clean the scratch are with the lacquer thinner to remove any contaminents. If it has not gone to the color, take the brush and apply a very thin coat of clear over the scratch. wait for 2-3 days, apply a second coat...you will fine the touchup paint is lacquer and shrinks considerably. wait for another 2-3 days and verify the scratch is not only filled but it is a little high. Now here comes the skill part and it takes a very light touch and a little practice but you can do it!!! obtain a sponge that has no holes or cavities...very smooth surface. apply the lacquer thinner to it and very lightly stroke the scratched areas in a 45 degree cross pattern. The lacuer thinner will soften the touch up paint, removing the excess leaving the scratch filled. Allow it to air dry and remove any haze remaining with the lacquer thinner. Repeat as necessary to fill remaining low spots. If you can see a very slight line you have it. now for the perfection, use 3,000 grit emery cloth (nothing else!!!!), get a bucket of water and apply 2-3 drops of joy dishwashing soap (this will provide a nice lubricant), place the sandpaper on a very flexible rummer block (do not use your fingers the pressure will be uneven) and with a lot of the soapy water like a feather touch lighty rub the surface untill the white haze (which you will see) is consistant across the scratch and OEM paint. stop, wash the remining soap off with clear water. Use 3M finise II and gently polish the surface, apply wax & it is done!

 

Thanks for the help.

Once I took a closer look I realized it was not nearly as bad as I had thought. The clear coat had not been removed. The mark was probably from a branch. A little polish made a big difference.