Small scratch on front bumper

[MObrz5]

So I've been searching on the forum on whats the best way to fix this small scratch and I've seen multiple things said to do and it only confused me more. The scratch is fairly deep and my fingernail BARELY gets caught on it. I have touch up paint from the dealer to use but should I also buy some rubbing compound? Any help is really appreciated! Thanks in advance. p.s I know its a small scratch but with this being my first brand new car… it just grinds my gears knowing that its there!

[Pwolf]

It doesn't look so bad in the picture so you might be able to get away with touch-up paint. If it's still an eye sore after that (give it a few days) then you can attempt to wet sand it/polish it out perhaps? I'm no where near an expert at this so take that with a grain of salt and do a bit more research if you want to go down that road. Goodluck.

[Shindig]

try a rubbing or polishing compound...

[MObrz5]

Thanks guys. Ill try the rubbing compound first!

[robwbright]

I had a small paint issue (a door left paint on my door) and I tried rubbing it with just water and a rag. Didn't work. Stop at the local high quality body shop and showed them - asked if they could help.

They brought out the rubbing compound and cleaned it up in about a minute... and didn't even charge me anything.

Obviously, I'll go back there when/if I need more extensive work done. Don't be afraid to stop and ask the experts. A good business will help you out for free (or at least cheaply) in order to gain your business in the future.

[denkigrve]

Look up Apex auto body. They are in San Jose. Paul can probably help you out. You should also expect to end up with a ton of rock chips after a while. The paint from the factory is super thin. I'm going to have Paul respray my front bumper and hood in the next year and then do a clear vinyl or something else to better protect them from 880.

[smmmurf]

DO NOT USE TOUCH UP PAINT IF YOU HAVE SWP OR WHITEOUT. I made this mistake. It looks a LOT worse. You can't duplicate a tri-stage paint with a touch up stick.

Cost me several hundred dollars to repaint my bumper and sideskirt as a result of this error. Ask RJ's Paint Shop in Pleasanton how bad it was.

You are better off using a light polish to make it less deep. DO NOT USE wetsanding paper either. The most you should use is a rubbing compound (and even then do it super lightly) finishing off with a med/light polish and some wax.

You will never get it 100% better with touch-up or scratch remover, but then again painting it will never be 100% better either since it is almost impossible to match SWP perfectly (even from the factory the panels are slightly different colors, look at your bumper vs. door vs. hood).

Painting is the only solution to remove a scratch, but even then do it with a reputable shop. RJ did a good job. The first CounterSpace Garage BRZ which had paintwork was way off when I saw it at BW (the bumper had an almost blueish hue in the pearl).

[MObrz5]

Originally Posted by denkigrve

You should also expect to end up with a ton of rock chips after a while.

Yeah the 101 on ramp on Capitol just got the road done and this morning all those loose rocks were flying everywhere and all I could do is cringe the whole way! Avoid that on ramp for awhile! And thank you ill check that shop out this week!

[MObrz5]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

DO NOT USE TOUCH UP PAINT IF YOU HAVE SWP OR WHITEOUT. I made this mistake. It looks a LOT worse. You can't duplicate a tri-stage paint with a touch up stick.

Cost me several hundred dollars to repaint my bumper and sideskirt as a result of this error. Ask RJ's Paint Shop in Pleasanton how bad it was.

You are better off using a light polish to make it less deep. DO NOT USE wetsanding paper either. The most you should use is a rubbing compound (and even then do it super lightly) finishing off with a med/light polish and some wax.

You will never get it 100% better with touch-up or scratch remover, but then again painting it will never be 100% better either since it is almost impossible to match SWP perfectly (even from the factory the panels are slightly different colors, look at your bumper vs. door vs. hood).

Painting is the only solution to remove a scratch, but even then do it with a reputable shop. RJ did a good job. The first CounterSpace Garage BRZ which had paintwork was way off when I saw it at BW (the bumper had an almost blueish hue in the pearl).

Thank you man. I was about to try the touch up paint today...so thankful I saw your post in time!

[smmmurf]

You are welcome. Glad I could save someone else from ruining their paint. I spent over $1k repainting my quarter panel and bumper as a result of my "creative" use of touchup paint (the sideskirt is part of the quarter).

Just run it until it gets so bad and then respray the bumper. I really think that a med polish will make it better it to the point where you won't mind so much.