How to Remove Pretty Hardcore Scratches from a Car?

UncommonName on 15/01/2018 - 21:11
Last edited 17/01/2018 - 22:37

So it's a 2000 Lancer (Silver), scratched it against a rock/stonework today while backing away from a narrow driveway, and the scratch is through the clear coat. I am worried that this will start rusting in no time, need to cover it up ASAP.

I have watched this instruction by Chrisfix but will it work in my case since I have a pretty deep scratch? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYF46P7B2c

Another suggestion I have seen is to use touch up paint. - http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/articles/paint-body-repair/…

Any other suggestions/tips are welcome, can't take it to repair guys since its an old car and I am on a student budget.

Edit:
Here are the pictures of the scratches - https://m.imgur.com/tPRhiJa,M9cWi0E

Automotive

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serpserpserp on 15/01/2018 - 21:43

-3

I recommend an angle grinder.
kahn on 15/01/2018 - 21:53

Clean it, then apply touch up paint.
- UncommonName on 15/01/2018 - 21:59
  
  Does the following routine look good?
  
  Sandpaper (2000 grit) -> Clean with microfiber cloth -> apply touch up paint (3 coats) -> Sandpaper (2000 grit)
  - kahn on 15/01/2018 - 22:02
    
    +1
    
    It's hard to say without seeing the scratches. I would suggest you test it on a small area first. After sanding, the area will look dull compared to the surrounding area, so you'd ideally polish it as well.
    - UncommonName on 15/01/2018 - 22:06
      
      The silver color in my car is matte, hopefully sanding won't be a big issue. The modified steps are -
      
      Sandpaper (2000 grit) -> Clean with soapy water (microfiber cloth) -> apply touch up paint (3 thin coats, 15 minutes apart) -> Sandpaper (2000 grit) > Polish
      
      How long will the touch up paint and the polish last? Will the paint prevent corrosion?
    - kahn on 15/01/2018 - 22:34
      
      +1
      
      @bargainaus:
      If the surface is prepared well, then it should last ages. Soapy water might be ok, but something like isopropyl alcohol is usually recommended. The polish is just to remove the fine abrasion marks from the sanding. If you want protection, then you'd need to use something like a paint sealant.
      
      Given that you're on a tight budget, it might be better for a professional to fix it for you rather than you buying all the gear. On the other hand, it could be a good learning experience :-)
    - UncommonName on 15/01/2018 - 23:45
      
      @kahn:
      
      List of things -
      1. 2x Sand paper = 3.58$
      2. 2x microfiber cloth = already have some
      3. Touch up paint (50ml) = 19$
      
      Professional will charge an arm and a leg for that.
      
      Anyway, is this polish any good, do I need anything else to apply that? - http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Super-Cut-Polis…
    - UncommonName on 17/01/2018 - 22:34
      
      Here are the images - https://m.imgur.com/tPRhiJa,M9cWi0E
    - kahn on 18/01/2018 - 00:00
      
      @bargainaus:
      
      That's messier than I had imagined! If you're interested in doing it yourself, I suggest looking at some youtube videos to see what labour is involved and the required equipment. Basically, you'll need to sand the damaged area, apply primer, sand again, apply base coat, apply clear coat, polish. A couple of those scratches are quite deep and may even need some filler.
      
      If you're still interested, then have a look here for what Super Cheap Auto has on offer. Tally up the cost of the equipment and compare it to what a professional/team of monkeys would charge you.
      
      Smash repairers do whole panels, but as you are likely to only repair the damaged section of the bumper, it will likely look different to the unrepaired areas, so that's when a polish would come in handy. The polishing stage is actually a bit more involved than you think, so again, you might want a professional to do it. They would typically rub the panel with a clay bar, use a machine buffer with a wool pad and cutting compound, then a foam pad and light polish, then perhaps a sealant/wax. However, given that your paint is old and looks pretty dull (you call it matte), it's a bit difficult to speculate how the repaired area will look compare to the original areas. One option it to test on a small area first, like the bottom-most scratch.
      
      Geez, I'm tired just writing about it. Maybe forget the whole thing :-P
    - UncommonName on 18/01/2018 - 17:44
      
      @kahn: My flatmate is saying the bumper is made of plastic, so it won't rust and just leave the scratches on. Is it true?
    - kahn on 18/01/2018 - 18:45
      
      +1
      
      @bargainaus:
      Haha, I was actually thinking that it might be plastic given that it looked so dull! I just zoomed in on the picture and it has become obvious now. You can't really repair plastic, so you'd either leave it as is (no rusting possible) or replace the whole panel if the looks bother you.
    - UncommonName on 18/01/2018 - 20:03
      
      @kahn: yes, thanks for all the advice.
      
      The new (generic) panel is around 180$, but they come unpainted. How much it would cost to paint it?
GetOffMyUnicorn on 15/01/2018 - 22:50

I have a team of monkeys ready to assist me at any given moment. I charge $20 per monkey per hour. PM if interested.
follow on 16/01/2018 - 00:21

just buff it. it'll come right out
- UncommonName on 16/01/2018 - 00:31
  
  Can you please elaborate on it?
  - follow on 16/01/2018 - 00:41
    
    Sorry I was trying to make a joke
  - Euphemistic on 16/01/2018 - 06:45
    
    Polish is a very mild abrasive. If you keep polishing it, eventually the scratch will 'buff out'. It's a common joke about panel beating a car, that dents will 'buff out' like a minor paint transfer would polish/buff off.
Euphemistic on 16/01/2018 - 06:42

Some things are not adding up.

You only say it is through the clear coat, but are worried about rusting. If it is only through the clear coat, and not the paint it will not rust. For it to rust, you need to show metal, which would take out clear, paint and undercoat.

You say you are going to use touch up paint, but no mention of clear coat. If you are only using touch up paint, without clear, it will def look different tot the rest of the car. You'll need to clear it as well after the touch up paint.

You say your silver paint is matte. Only custom car paints are matte. If it is a factory colour, it will be gloss, even if there is a clear over it. Using 2000grit paper will make a matte paint shiny, if it is actually matte paint, don't polish it either, that will also make it shiny.

It will take a week of sanding with 2000 grit paper to get any decent scratch out. You'd be better to start with around 600 grit unless it is only through the clear coat.

Got any pics of the damage?
- whooah1979 on 16/01/2018 - 07:18
  
  nvm matte paint.
  - Euphemistic on 17/01/2018 - 06:03
    
    Not sure what this means.
- UncommonName on 17/01/2018 - 22:35
  
  Here are the images - https://m.imgur.com/tPRhiJa,M9cWi0E
  - Euphemistic on 18/01/2018 - 09:48
    
    It's on a plastic bumper so it def won't rust.
    
    2000 grit is going to take weeks to rub it back.
    
    Are you really that bothered by it? It's a 2000 model car and by your own admission you haven't looked after the paint as you describe it as matte finish when it should be glossy. Needs a good polish by the sounds of it.
    
    If you really want to fix it:
    Grab some 600 grit, or even coarser.
    Rub it back until smooth-ish
    Plastic primer
    smotth it again with maybe 1200 grit.
    apply colour and leave it, it will look good enough from any distance.
    - UncommonName on 18/01/2018 - 17:42
      
      My flatmate is also saying it's on plastic bumper so no need to do anything. Is there an online source/reference where I can confirm the bumper is indeed plastic?
    - Euphemistic on 18/01/2018 - 17:46
      
      +1
      
      @bargainaus: is your eyes.
      
      car bumpers haven’t been made of steel since the 70s, and then they where all chromed.
      
      But just in case: get a fridge magnet. Hold it on the bumper. Let it go and watch it fall off, then just to be sure the magnet is working place the magnet in the middle of the boot, roof, bonnet and boot and repeat the process.
    - UncommonName on 18/01/2018 - 18:06
      
      @Euphemistic: Good idea regarding the magnet. Well it seems it's better to leave it with scratches then.
pegaxs on 16/01/2018 - 09:01

It’s a 2000 model Lancer. Cheaper to buy a new Lancer than it would be to buy touch up paint. :D

Seriously though, don’t be too worried about it. Most modern cars have galvanised chassis and bodies panels and it is rare these days to see any rust on cars. You will waste more time trying to fix it than what it is worth.

There is also mention that the car is covered in a matte finish… good luck getting that to paint match.

And if you have nothing better to do for the week, I would suggest starting with the 2000 grit as well…
dasher86 on 16/01/2018 - 10:44

eh. i would suggest just keep the scratches. it's a 2000 lancer (bulletproof mind you), you're most likely to get more.
ride it til it dies.
- UncommonName on 16/01/2018 - 19:27
  
  Yes, it only has 125k in odometer, many thousands more to be driven in it. Oh well, I'll grieve in sorrow for couple of days and remember it's youthful skin…
Oz8argain on 16/01/2018 - 11:34

last resort is to look for the same colour lancer at wreckers and buy the panel if its not damaged

How to Remove Pretty Hardcore Scratches from a Car?

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