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Bodywork scratches - Alwyn
Has anyone noticed how often we seem to find a new scratch on our cars following work done by mechanics? Pure coincidence, no doubt!
Re: Bodywork scratches - Mark (Brazil)
True, or valet parking. However, I can't relax with a new car until its got its first scratch. Once that has happened I start enjoying it without worrying all the time.
Re: Bodywork scratches - Honest John
What's the best way to deal with a light scratch through the lacquer on a metallic finish?

HJ
Re: Bodywork scratches - Alwyn
Dunno about laquer other than a light polish, but I have seen the recomendation to use the end of a cocktail stick to apply paint to a small stone chip to avoid painting the surrounding area with a touch-up brush.

It works, but the mark is still visible.
Re: Bodywork scratches - John Jones
Children on tricycle put a scratch 18 inches long with unprotected handle bar end to rear quarter panel. Scuffs quoted me £160 to rectify. Showed this to my local Ford dealer accident repair department - it has been serviced there from new.

Was horrified when their assessor started using 1500 grade wet & dry with some spit. However, he was very careful with application and checking the results every few strokes. Finished off with a light polishing paste and wax polish.

Astonishingly, the scratch was completely removed. He suggested booking the car into the body shop to machine polish the whole panel to finish the repair. I have not bothered since a few applications of Colormagic has made the repair undetectable. ( I use this on the whole car anyway).

Even though it took about 15 mins, they refused any offer of payment! Customer care beyond the call of duty by a Ford Main Dealer!

P.s. A bottle of Chardonay was gratefully accepted the next day. The scratch was deep and could be felt with fingernail, but perhaps not completely through the lacquer?
Re: Bodywork scratches - paul
Excuse my ignorance, what's 1500 grade wet and dry?
Re: Bodywork scratches - David W
.........what's 1500 grade wet and dry?

Not the best paper for getting a basic profile on filler!

David
Re: Bodywork scratches - Jonathon
A superior sort of sandpaper, much finer and the backing paper is waterproof so it can be dipped in water so it leaves a very smooth paint finish. Suggest you *dont* rush out and get some to use yourself to remove that mark from your new Lexus. ;-)
Re: Bodywork scratches - Alwyn
Wet and dry is a type of emery paper and can be used "wet or dry". Some very fine grades are available.
Re: Bodywork scratches - Simon Saxton
There are two methods.
1. Clean & remove all traces of polish from scratch area.
Obtain small quantity/bottle of clear coat(OEM)
Obtain Artists Camel haired fine paintbrush. Repeat, FINE brush.
Apply clear coat with brush to internal area of scratch & allow to dry.
Build up successive layers of clear coat until proud of scratch allowing each
layer to dry thoroughly.
Cut back until level with existing clear coat. Do NOT use normal T cut- it is
too coarse.
Polish with Autoglym etc.

2. Apply Meguiars Hash 9 swirl mark remover(Or Fine Cut) with soft cotton
Muslin.
Repeat with above, backed by sponge pad. Remove residue with cotton
muslin.
Repeat as necessary (Only) on affected scratch area in longitudinal strokes.
Then polish with Meguiars Show Car Glaze.
Finally polish with Autoglym & Extra Protection.
Do not rush the job & proceed with care at all times & the finish will amaze
you.

regards
Simon
Re: Bodywork scratches - Bono Estente
Sorry, this is Jonathon's Dad answering.

Bono
Re: Bodywork scratches - Pete W
Who is responsible if next door's child gets in your garage to get your child's bike out with no concern for your paintwork ?

Damage required whole side of car to be repainted which was done through insurance but still cost us the excess. I have to admit that I didn't actually watch the child do it merely caught holding the evidence. Couldn't shout, unable to discuss with parent, just grittted teeth and had a sweet cup of tea. All Children now banned from garage.
Re: Bodywork scratches - Pete W
Please can you say where I can source Meguiars ? Never heard of it.
Re: Bodywork scratches - Bono Estente
Meguiers?..........

I'll get me coat...
Re: Bodywork scratches - dave etchells
Why bother, as Mark says, you cannot relax until the first one and I speak from experience, thereafter the rest come easy and plentiful. It does not matter where you park or how careful you are the scratches just keep on coming.

Intriguingly my old ALFA 155 attracted the most damage and I mean of the door opened against it forcibly variety.

What really puzzles me is that as a nation of car lovers, why we treat each others possessions with such disregard. Is it unique to this island race or is it the same the world over?
Re: Bodywork scratches - Honest John
Tell you something, if my new friend from the pub cops a load of this thread she is going to be very impressed with the quality and quantity of information offered by the Backroom boys and girls. And I didn't even start the thread.

HJ
Re: Bodywork scratches - Ian Cook
I find that an annoying source of scratches is to be had in the local carpark when a woman puts a shopping basket on your bonnet (or boot lid) while she unlocks her car - and then "slides" the basket as she picks it up.

Ian
Re: Bodywork scratches - Flat in Fifth
Or next doors cat is locked out all day and wants to find somewhere warm to sit, grrrr!!!

Cue for a Super Soaker in our house
Re: Bodywork scratches - KB
Since I bought my first metallic silver car, I have realised that they don't show up supermarket damage anything like as bad as darker colours (metallic or non metallic). Hence I'll never buy another dark coloured new car. Obviously when buying used, you don't always have the same choice ie. condition/history etc being as, if not more, important than colour.

Black has to be the worst for showing up marks/dirt/swirl-marks/bird-@!#$ damage.

KB.
Re: Bodywork scratches - KB
Blimey - that was clever. I just (perhaps, somewhat inadvisedly) used the colloquial term for birds mess and all of a sudden it became politely modified to something less down to earth. How did it do that?

KB.
Re: Bodywork scratches - Simon Saxton

Pete W. go to www.meguiars.co.uk. Any queries E/Mail them direct from site.
simon.
Re: Bodywork scratches - Steve G
Some useful tips in this thread. Must admit i would be wary of using wet n dry on lacquer but it seems to do the trick according to most of you. My last car (black Pug 306) had horrible car wash scratches on the lacquer which only became acceptable after using color magic , but the overall finish never impressed me. Vowed never to buy a black car again too much work keeping it looking respectable. KB is right, light metallics are best for ease of upkeep.
Re: Bodywork scratches - BrianT
Why is it , when I park my brand new motor in the very farthest reaches of the supermarket car park (I mean so far out dinosaurs live there!) just to avoid 'door dings', I come back to find a total shed complete with kiddie seats in the back parked 12 inches from my drivers door, with nothing else in the other 150 spaces around! Is this some sort of 'Law of the universe' I dont know about ?