Scratch/Scuff... How should I fix it?

[pwdunmore]

I noticed this nice long scratch/rub on my car after cleaning my car yesterday... :bang it was my first time this year that I have cleaned my car by hand because it was so nice yesterday.

In the daylight:
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/pwdunmore/IMG_0706_zps0f013247.jpg (http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/pwdunmore/media/IMG_0706_zps0f013247.jpg.html)

With camera flash:
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/pwdunmore/IMG_0707_zpse5e3a8c2.jpg (http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/pwdunmore/media/IMG_0707_zpse5e3a8c2.jpg.html)

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/pwdunmore/IMG_0708_zps584702b4.jpg (http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/pwdunmore/media/IMG_0708_zps584702b4.jpg.html)

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/pwdunmore/IMG_0717_zpsbe71d613.jpg (http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/pwdunmore/media/IMG_0717_zpsbe71d613.jpg.html)

It's on the drivers side so I have no idea how it happened... if it was on the passenger side I would blame it on myself for scrapping a snow bank. The scuff also appears to go all the way onto my rim but my rims will eventually be powder coated so I don't care. I'm not sure what to do to fix it at the moment. It has scuffed the clear coat but hopefully not gone through it completely as the paint colour is still normal.

There are some experienced members on here that have dealt with things like this before for DIY repairs or professional repairs.

I'm thinking/estimating it would cost $100-$300 to get it fixed...

So here is my question to you guys/gals, where should I go to get it fixed or should I DIY it? (I'm live in Mississauga and work in Bolton Monday to Friday)

[S.F.W.]

Looks like a good detailer could compound and buff it out. You could also check with Autodent Magicians, they are in 'Sauga and do great work.

[SonicBoy]

Suggest you speak to some of the Detailing sponsors here on the Forum. It's hard to say but they do look like they can be buffed out to be less noticeable.

Given that the scratch is also on your wheel, someone has probably rubbed up against your car in a parking lot.

To have the door repainted would be much more than $200-$300 as they would probably have to blend into the driver's door as well as into the rear quarter panel.

[Jackal]

Clean it. Then compound. Then polish. Then wax. It looks like you could repair it 80-100%.

Check this out if you need some ideas for products but all of it can be done by hand.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=70854

[pwdunmore]

hamza7 what do you think? :D lol

[pwdunmore]

Clean it. Then compound. Then polish. Then wax. It looks like you could repair it 80-100%.

Check this out if you need some ideas for products but all of it can be done by hand.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=70854

That's the thread I was looking for earlier! Thanks, I may go this route so I have a polisher in my tool box for future use when doing my detailing. Did the meguiar's polisher work well?

[Jackal]

That's the thread I was looking for earlier! Thanks, I may go this route so I have a polisher in my tool box for future use when doing my detailing. Did the meguiar's polisher work well?

Yes it did. Get it on sale at CT. I think the Griots Garage is on sale at Eshine but not sure. That one is good as well. Yet again it can be done a variety of ways if you check the link.

[Jackal]

hamza7 what do you think? :D lol

Or get Hamza to do it. Haha.

[pwdunmore]

Or get Hamza to do it. Haha.


Yes it did. Get it on sale at CT. I think the Griots Garage is on sale at Eshine but not sure. That one is good as well. Yet again it can be done a variety of ways if you check the link.

Thanks for the advice, I will look around to see where I can get a good rotary/dual action polisher on sale and also see what people will quote me to fix it.
I'll post my findings either way so people can track progress and if people have to deal with something similar issue they can follow my wins/fails lol...

If anyone knows good detail/body shops to call or places to get a good polisher for under $200 post it up!

[pwdunmore]

Looks like a good detailer could compound and buff it out. You could also check with Autodent Magicians, they are in 'Sauga and do great work.

Sent an email to auto magicians to see what they would quote me :)

(Attached all my photos to the email)

[Fack_Dude]

Sent an email to auto magicians to see what they would quote me :)

(Attached all my photos to the email)

Fack that. I got all the shit that you need to fix the problem. As long the clear coat is not under 80 microns.

[Fack_Dude]

Fack that. I got all the shit that you need to fix the problem.

Some meg 105 compound and 2500 grit sand paper and some buff action will do the job.

[Jackal]

Some meg 105 compound and 2500 grit sand paper and some buff action will do the job.

You like that buff action doncha?

[Fack_Dude]

You like that buff action doncha?

He'll yeah. I got all the flex series buffers and I just picked up a few rupes that I'm dying to try out when warmer.

[hamza7]

PM me, I got this

[pwdunmore]

Fack that. I got all the shit that you need to fix the problem. As long the clear coat is not under 80 microns.


Some meg 105 compound and 2500 grit sand paper and some buff action will do the job.

That's also what I was looking into, what type of compound and techniques to use.

Are you offering to help a brother out? lol
If not I am sure I can get a grasp and tackle this project. If anyone can or wants to help let me send a PM.

It's not urgent for me to get this fixed asap because the weather isn't ideal for it.

Current Options:

DIY - Need to buy: D/A Polisher/pads (~$200) + compound (~$40) + high grit sandpaper (~$5) = ~$250

Professional - Waiting on quotes from Auto Magicians and West End Autobody = ~$???

[Jackal]

DIY options can range from $50-$250 depending on which route you take. Do me a favour and read the whole Paint Correction Adventure thread. I do have a part on wetsanding which could cost you around $40-50 all in.
Just a word of caution: always start with the least abrasive method and work your way up.

[Jackal]

He'll yeah. I got all the flex series buffers and I just picked up a few rupes that I'm dying to try out when warmer.

Not sure if you're serious about owning a bunch of flex and rupes buffers but if you do that's a lot of buffing power. Haha.

[Fack_Dude]

Not sure if you're serious about owning a bunch of flex and rupes buffers but if you do that's a lot of buffing power. Haha.

I'm series. You should see my collection of paint products too, lol. I just do detailing on my cars for a hobby in the summer.

[Jackal]

I'm series. You should see my collection of paint products too, lol. I just do detailing on my cars for a hobby in the summer.

OK. That's impressive and obsessive. You spent a sh@tload of money on that. Ha. Hide it from your wife or not? You sure you still have clearcoat left on your cars? Ha.

On topic. Try checking out some Youtube videos on this topic.

[Fack_Dude]

OK. That's impressive and obsessive. You spent a sh@tload of money on that. Ha. Hide it from your wife or not? You sure you still have clearcoat left on your cars? Ha.

On topic. Try checking out some Youtube videos on this topic.

Yeah it's an obsession and the wife knows about it and she's not impressed with any of my hobbies. Burn't through clear coat enough times to master the technique. Haha Back on topic

[asyed]

I'm series. You should see my collection of paint products too, lol. I just do detailing on my cars for a hobby in the summer.

looks like i have more competition :chuckle



to op: try the compound and polish... and get the DA power system too ( also dont forget to use a corded drill and the right pads.... it makes a difference...trust me i speak from experience :( )

you arent getting that out by hand unless you are the hulk...

[pwdunmore]

looks like i have more competition :chuckle



to op: try the compound and polish... and get the DA power system too ( also dont forget to use a corded drill and the right pads.... it makes a difference...trust me i speak from experience :( )

you arent getting that out by hand unless you are the hulk...

I was looking at D/A polishers last year so I am kinda kicking myself now that I didn't buy one when I saw a couple on sale. I am going to wait for a good deal for one when I do buy one.

I was am still receiving quotes at the moment and people have offered to help me from the forums (thanks to the guys who have) so I am slowly getting a game plan.

[asyed]

I was looking at D/A polishers last year so I am kinda kicking myself now that I didn't buy one when I saw a couple on sale. I am going to wait for a good deal for one when I do buy one.

I was am still receiving quotes at the moment and people have offered to help me from the forums (thanks to the guys who have) so I am slowly getting a game plan.

if you arent going to be doing much compounding / polishing i recommend you get the DA power system from meguiars. This is fairly cheap and works great for the small jobs like the one you have right now. For bigger jobs like doing an entire car id say get a full fledged DA polisher as the pads become saturated slower on those. Once the Pad is saturated, the power of the compound is pretty much zero and its got the same effect as putting it on by hand.

That said if you arent so uptight about swirl marks like i am... you probably wont be polishing/compounding much anyways.... Ive only used my da powersystem 3 times since i got it and only used it for the entire car once and besides that i did it on the hood 2 x since the first pass didnt work well. Id advise not to go overboard. While swirl marks are nasty... losing your clear coat is even worse.

[pwdunmore]

Update: Just got two quotes for professional fixes.

$160 cash (2 day job with touch up paint) and $82 including taxes (1 day job with compound/buff).

[asyed]

Update: Just got two quotes for professional fixes.

$160 cash (2 day job with touch up paint) and $82 including taxes (1 day job with compound/buff).

man if the weather was better i would have offered to try and fix it using the da system i have....

[bryansbestwax]

I don't think you will need paint.

[bryansbestwax]

I'm series. You should see my collection of paint products too, lol. I just do detailing on my cars for a hobby in the summer.
Are you serious, or series. Cause if it's the latter then that's crazy. :p.

[Jackal]

I don't think you will need paint.

Saw it that way too. $82 sounds pretty good for a compound and buff. You can wax it yourself if it's not included.

[pwdunmore]

I am still waiting things out at the moment. Since the weather is crappy and I am busy as hell at work plus life this is being put off until the beginning of April. I will probably get one or two more quotes to see what they say will take out the scuff and I will have a some friends/forums members to check it out before I do anything to it too.

Thanks again to all who have responded to the thread and to others who have offered to help. Things like this make me want to expand my garage and get more tools and now that I have a job again I think I may just do that. I will start slowly with just a D/A polisher though :P then air tools... and then... A HOIST! (in my dreams...)