Recommended approach for touching up large scratches.

[VIP BRZ]

Originally Posted by cat94

I discussed why I'm not/don't want to go through insurance in a previous thread, and here I'm hoping to find some tips on touching this up by hand =)

So far, my plan is to:
(1) chip off loose paint around the edges of the scratches
(2) lightly sand the scratch
(3) apply touch-up in layers
(4) sand smooth, compound & polish

Not expecting it to be invisible, but better off than it is now.

I really doubt the above method will look better than it is now, if your not going to have it fixed proper. leave it as it is..

your setting yourself up to make a mess (what are you even planning to apply your touch-up paint with? a brush!?)

[cat94]

Originally Posted by ChinatownDragon

Didn't see it but fair enough, best of luck with the repairs!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by VIP BRZ

I really doubt the above method will look better than it is now, if your not going to have it fixed proper. leave it as it is..

your setting yourself up to make a mess (what are you even planning to apply your touch-up paint with? a brush!?)

I was thinking of using model brushes, though... now I'm discouraged. I have a pretty deep rock chip (down to metal) I've been meaning to touch-up too. Maybe I'll do that first and see how badly things go.

[VIP BRZ]

Originally Posted by cat94

Thanks!



I was thinking of using model brushes, though... now I'm discouraged. I have a pretty deep rock chip (down to metal) I've been meaning to touch-up too. Maybe I'll do that first and see how badly things go.

^^ Now this is sounding rational, give it a try on the small chip before you do any sanding! try using a toothpick to apply layers within the chip.

its really a lot harder then you might expect, and honestly the prep work is just as important if not more important then the actual application of the paint.

Paint work is something i personally really only trust to a professional with experience.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by VIP BRZ

^^ Now this is sounding rational, give it a try on the small chip before you do any sanding! try using a toothpick to apply layers within the chip.

its really a lot harder then you might expect, and honestly the prep work is just as important if not more important then the actual application of the paint.

Paint work is something i personally really only trust to a professional with experience.

I can see why that is. I'll give it a shot with a toothpick on the small chip before doing anything crazy. I've also seen somewhere that mixing the clear coat with the paint makes it a lot easier to apply a decent finish. A body shop I spoke to said that clear coat is sticky and difficult to work with.

[Anderzz]

Ouch.

You can risk doing it yourself: wet sand the surrounding area, layer it with touch-up 3 times, wet sand again, re clearcoat, wet sand again, and then polish and treat with something like AMMO hydrate.

Only other option with scratches of that severity is a full blown body shop paint match that'll probably run you $500...

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Anderzz

Ouch.

You can risk doing it yourself: wet sand the surrounding area, layer it with touch-up 3 times, wet sand again, re clearcoat, wet sand again, and then polish and treat with something like AMMO hydrate.

Only other option with scratches of that severity is a full blown body shop paint match that'll probably run you $500...

I had a couple quotes both at $1200+

I'll test this method on a decently sized, unrelated rock chip and see where that goes. Would a typical wax suffice, or is there something special in ammo hydrate?

[Anderzz]

Originally Posted by cat94

I had a couple quotes both at $1200+

I'll test this method on a decently sized, unrelated rock chip and see where that goes. Would a typical wax suffice, or is there something special in ammo hydrate?

Any wax will work, Hydrate is just the best IMO.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Anderzz

Any wax will work, Hydrate is just the best IMO.

I see. I've been wanting to try Hydrate as a drying aid, though I've been using Sonax Spray wax for that and it's been good.

On another note, I just put in an order at the Toyota dealership for D4S (Raven) paint and there were 3 coats. Anyone know what the purpose of this is?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

I discussed why I'm not/don't want to go through insurance in a previous thread, and here I'm hoping to find some tips on touching this up by hand =)

So far, my plan is to:
(1) chip off loose paint around the edges of the scratches
(2) lightly sand the scratch
(3) apply touch-up in layers
(4) sand smooth, compound & polish

Not expecting it to be invisible, but better off than it is now.

I would try this. The reality is that no matter how bad it can't get worse than it is. I have had both great luck and miserable failures in doing this sort of thing but if you take your time it should be fine.


Couple of points I learned doing touch ups:
If the touch up paint is drying too fast and not flowing then use a bit of thinner to retard the dry time. The proper thinner should be listed on the container. Just dip your brush it the paint then in the thinner and then apply. Let each coat dry thoroughly before adding the next.


Tape off just outside of the space you are sanding with masking tape. If things go wrong you don't want the space you have to fix to keep getting larger!


Go to a hobby or craft store and pick up some sanding sticks. These things flex beautifully and you can get them to such a fine grit that you can polish glass with them. They are indispensable for doing this sort of work.





Take your time and don't expect to get it done in one shot. There may still be a mark there but most people that don't know where to look will not be able to pick it out.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I would try this. The reality is that no matter how bad it can't get worse than it is. I have had both great luck and miserable failures in doing this sort of thing but if you take your time it should be fine.


Couple of points I learned doing touch ups:
If the touch up paint is drying too fast and not flowing then use a bit of thinner to retard the dry time. The proper thinner should be listed on the container. Just dip your brush it the paint then in the thinner and then apply. Let each coat dry thoroughly before adding the next.


Tape off just outside of the space you are sanding with masking tape. If things go wrong you don't want the space you have to fix to keep getting larger!


Go to a hobby or craft store and pick up some sanding sticks. These things flex beautifully and you can get them to such a fine grit that you can polish glass with them. They are indispensable for doing this sort of work.



Take your time and don't expect to get it done in one shot. There may still be a mark there but most people that don't know where to look will not be able to pick it out.

Wow, I didn't even know those existed. I was thinking of maybe wrapping some sandpaper around a sponge, but those look much easier to work with, especially in small areas.

I'll do my best not to rush - expecting it to take about a week of applying layers, maybe even more.

I saw in this video that mixing the clearcoat and base coat makes it much easier to apply, but given that I'll be getting 3 coats from the dealership, I'm not sure if this will work well. I'll probably end up doing one scratch at a time and using what I learn to tackle the next area.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xi3xmeO6C4"]Paint Chip Touch-up -- /DRIVE CLEAN - YouTube[/ame]

[Leonardo]

I used to work at a body shop, and I have never seen brushed on paint look as good as sprayed paint. EVER!

Tape off the small chip/scratch and spray some color in the area. Adhesion promoter, color, clear, buff carefully.

A great place to get auto paint from (in spray cans) http://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

Wow, I didn't even know those existed. I was thinking of maybe wrapping some sandpaper around a sponge, but those look much easier to work with, especially in small areas.

I'll do my best not to rush - expecting it to take about a week of applying layers, maybe even more.

I saw in this video that mixing the clearcoat and base coat makes it much easier to apply, but given that I'll be getting 3 coats from the dealership, I'm not sure if this will work well. I'll probably end up doing one scratch at a time and using what I learn to tackle the next area.

No don't mix the clear and base. You will end up with a sticky mess.

Originally Posted by Leonardo

I used to work at a body shop, and I have never seen brushed on paint look as good as sprayed paint. EVER!

Tape off the small chip/scratch and spray some color in the area. Adhesion promoter, color, clear, buff carefully.

A great place to get auto paint from (in spray cans) http://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm

Agreed in bigger areas but small chips and scraps can indeed be filled with reasonable success. Spray is perfect for a flat surface but doesn't fill chips well. It takes some work but can indeed be done. About 80% of my attempts have been good enough that people can't see unless I point it out. I don't like to talk about the other 20% though.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

I used to work at a body shop, and I have never seen brushed on paint look as good as sprayed paint. EVER!

Tape off the small chip/scratch and spray some color in the area. Adhesion promoter, color, clear, buff carefully.

A great place to get auto paint from (in spray cans) http://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Agreed in bigger areas but small chips and scraps can indeed be filled with reasonable success. Spray is perfect for a flat surface but doesn't fill chips well. It takes some work but can indeed be done. About 80% of my attempts have been good enough that people can't see unless I point it out. I don't like to talk about the other 20% though.

I'll give it a go with some model brush first since the scratches are all on corners and under 1cm in width. If this turns out terribly, then I may opt for a spray method.

Nice to know where I can get color matched spray paint though.