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Took my SS out of the garage today to take it for a spin, and noticed a very long scratch (about 2-1/2' long) on the front drivers 1/4 panel. don't know how it got there. was not there last night. i will try to minimize it with hand polish, but looks like it will need to be repainted. unfortunately, i have no $ for paint for a very long time. man, i hate having my SS as a daily driver. getting a beater with my tax refund so i can put away my baby in the winter.
sorry it is so long, just had to vent.
-------------------- 2002 Navy Blue SS #0214 Hard Top
posted
If it's only 2 1/2 long it would be worth it to touch it up, at least for now. If you take your time and are really careful you can do a lot to make it disappear.
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
I agree. If there's no dent or body damage, some touch-up paint, a toothpick, some clearcoat safe rubbing compound, and a little time should do the trick.
Apply the paint with the toothpick, let it dry 'til it's tacky, and carefully rub it down even with the factory paint. Depending on the depth of the scratch, you'll probably have to repeat the process a few times, until the paint in the scratch is even with the factory paint. It's a lot cheaper than a repaint, and should make the scratch virtually disappear.
posted
thanks for the replys. the scratch is about 2-1/2 feet long, not 2-1/2 in. long. don't know if i said that or not. would that make a difference in your guys opinion on whether or not i should touch it up, or have a body shop do it.
J.R. what's up? things are going pretty well for me. (besides having my car as a Daily driver). no, Heather and i are not together anymore. i think that is for the best. she said that my SS was more important to me than her. and in the wise words of Steve da wrench and Goldlox, when you hear that "RUN" ah well.
thanks again for the suggestions.
Posts: 1579 | From: Portland, OR. | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Check the scratch by using your finger nail . If you can not catch it with your nail, it will come out with rubbing compound. Or if it is very shallow, 2500 grit wetsand paper. A good body shop could get it out if it is't to bad. Posts: 159 | From: Westfield, Massachusetts | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Hey Nate, check around to see if there is any place that will do "paint repair". I had a place here in Winnipeg called Colormelt repair some scratches on my Hawk and I believe PoSSum had a large scratch repaired by them. I was extremely pleased with the results. They advertise as "alternative automotive painting technology". I would suggest it is worth looking into to see if you have something like that out there.
Posts: 428 | From: Winnipeg, MB, Canada | Registered: Oct 2001
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If you do try and do a touch up, ensure you make sure all the Zaino is removed around the area, if you use it.
You should be able to touch it up until you can get it repaired properly. There used to be a guy at the Corvette plant who did touch-up paint work on those cars. (I remember watching him doing an 82 Collector's Edition with a scratch about a foot long on the hood) Only guy allowed to do it. He guaranteed me that once he was done it would be nearly indistinguishable. Talked to him while he told me what he was doing. Sat there on a little roll around stool with, get this, some paint in a dixie bathroom cup and a book of matches. He'd tear out a match and use the "brush" end to apply a few coats of the paint. He said the trick is to build up the paint in the scratch to above the surrounding area paint, while ensuring the scratch is full of paint. Then he had a little pencil eraser looking sander thingie and rubbed the paint area until it was smooth. He then took a polishing wheel and a little compound and poof! Scratch was invisible. I was truly amazed by this guy's talents. Granted, it was laquer back then, but I'm sure the same principle would apply.
Posts: 577 | From: Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2002
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quote:Originally posted by el ess1: Sorry to hear about the scratch. Sucks.
If you do try and do a touch up, ensure you make sure all the Zaino is removed around the area, if you use it.
You should be able to touch it up until you can get it repaired properly. There used to be a guy at the Corvette plant who did touch-up paint work on those cars. (I remember watching him doing an 82 Collector's Edition with a scratch about a foot long on the hood) Only guy allowed to do it. He guaranteed me that once he was done it would be nearly indistinguishable. Talked to him while he told me what he was doing. Sat there on a little roll around stool with, get this, some paint in a dixie bathroom cup and a book of matches. He'd tear out a match and use the "brush" end to apply a few coats of the paint. He said the trick is to build up the paint in the scratch to above the surrounding area paint, while ensuring the scratch is full of paint. Then he had a little pencil eraser looking sander thingie and rubbed the paint area until it was smooth. He then took a polishing wheel and a little compound and poof! Scratch was invisible. I was truly amazed by this guy's talents. Granted, it was laquer back then, but I'm sure the same principle would apply.
that sounds like a pretty talented guy. my talents with paint is no where near that good. i would be worried that i would do more damage than good.
Posts: 1579 | From: Portland, OR. | Registered: May 2001
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. If you can not catch it with your nail, it will come out with rubbing compound. Or if it is very shallow, 2500 grit wetsand paper. A good body shop could get it out if it is't to bad. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
