How to Fix Scratched Mirror Frame Properly?

hfwangau on 02/03/2021 - 21:32

A few months ago the mirror accidentally hit a post in underground car park, so it caused very minor scratch to the frame.

We bought the Scratch Fix All-in-1
https://www.duplicolor.com/product/scratch-fix-all-in-1-exac…

and attempted to fix based on the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB_v8nAXhlE

but after painting by the brush, it looks a bit rough (not applied coat yet), please see the image.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MM7O1yLs7JKG0YfqHB-IUVWs93C…

Can you please advise what will be the next step to fix it properly? We wish it could restore to the original state.

Should I sand the rough painted surface firstly then apply coat? (I bought 1200 grit sandpaper)

Or start coat on top of this surface and then sand?

Many thanks!

Automotive

Comments

dasher86 on 02/03/2021 - 22:23

Sand finely
Prime.
Paint.
- doctordv8 on 03/03/2021 - 07:42
  
  Repeat as required for a perfect finish.
  - hfwangau on 06/03/2021 - 14:10
    
    Thanks.
    
    I have done the following steps this morning:
    
    sand it to as smooth as I can feel
    
    mask the area properly and used gloss black paint sprayer, 4 coats as advised on the product
    
    https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/septone-septone-acrylic-…
    
    Now it looks smooth, but seems not exact the same texture, nor as polished as the original paint, please see
    
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftHHY9askz4-JnEGPOiiT_d6jFn…
    
    Can you please advise any chance to make the area I reprinted as much as the same texture as the original colour ?
    
    If so, what will be the next step?
    
    wait for one day to dry and add clear coat?
    wait for one day to dry and sand it finely?
    wait for one day to dry and polish it?
    
    Thanks!
    - doctordv8 on 07/03/2021 - 14:18
      
      Mmmm gloss… Are you sure it is not Satin finish originally?
      - hfwangau on 07/03/2021 - 21:03
        
        @doctordv8: I did buy the gloss black one.
        
        In order to remove the tape line as seen in
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftHHY9askz4-JnEGPOiiT_d6jFn…
        
        I referred today
        https://itstillruns.com/make-cars-dull-paint-shine-5629459.h…
        and used wet sanding by 2000 grit, however now it looks like
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pmTh-LZXumGA4CESWE8-guj_q3C…
        
        it's smooth but seems like colour coat being wiped off as well?
        
        What's the next step?
        
        perform polishing compound will restore the gloss black?
        or
        
        add clear coat?
        
        I try to avoid painting the whole frame, end goal is blending well with the original trim colour.
        
        Thanks!
        
        doctordv8 on 09/03/2021 - 00:53
        
        @hfwangau: You only spay a clear over a base or satin to give a gloss. Clear (goss) on gloss is not the way.
        
        Keep wet sanding and re-coating until the dull finish is perfectly smooth(primer/fill coats are use for this process. Once dull yet perfectly smooth, 2 light clear coats should do the final finish coat.
        
        But again…are you sure the original black was not a Satin finish?
elgrande on 03/03/2021 - 07:38

Did you report this incident to the carpark management? Or are you guilty of a hit and run?

…
Youfah Mizzum on 03/03/2021 - 09:02

Guess there's no harm in cross posting
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9z8xw589
whitelie on 07/03/2021 - 21:24

What did the original surface look like? What did the damage look like?
Going by the picture, it looks like it's piano black which will be difficult to achieve the finish at home with a pressure pack, let alone a brush but it's hard to see anything at all in the picture provided.
Have you put a clear over the top of the black? How did you prep the surface? Given you're using acrylic, it will be very soft and require pretty good prep (a primer most likely) to stick to the plastic, otherwise it may come off after a few carwashes.

You would need to do multiple light coats to get a lot of depth, sanding between them and giving it a good clean with wax and grease remover. Then wet sanding the final coat with a process along the lines of 1200/2000/5000. If it's piano black, you'll need to follow up the wet sanding with polishing, again in various grades.

All this said, depending on the car, it may have been easier to get a replacement mirror from the wreckers or just pay those touch up guys to take care of it for you. Given you've already spent around $40 on paint, you could potentially spend over $100 on materials which could be all it would cost to get someone to fix it for you.
hfwangau on 07/03/2021 - 23:09

Hi mate,

Many thanks for your reply. Truly appreciate.

The colour of the trim is likely piano black, please see
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vkexJxrOuSQK03EoIMtotDyyI97…

I did ask the dealership the colour code but could not find exact the same, so I sprayed using gloss black.

I have not added clear coat after painting, I used 1200 grit sandpaper to prep the surface before painting.

From your suggestions, it looks very hard to achieve as the steps are complex. Not sure any short cut if using any chemical like trim restorer?

I don't have problem with the mirror but I just wanted to practice by myself to achieve the best I can do at home. (Paying toughup guys won't help me to learn things from practising by myself)

Thanks again.
- whitelie on 07/03/2021 - 23:21
  
  Yeah it will be piano black on a Patrol.
  What was the damage like originally? If it hit a post, did it transfer white/yellow/whatever paint on to your mirror? If so, that would likely have polished off. If it scratched the finish on the mirror, then you're essentially on the right track but it will be very difficult to achieve the same level of finish.
  
  A genuine replacement is something like $1000, from the wreckers, maybe half that.
  May be better off just getting an aftermarket replacement like this
  - hfwangau on 08/03/2021 - 00:10
    
    Thanks! If polishing won't help I may just out a sticker onto it.
    
    Later on I may just replace the mirrors with a clearview towing mirrors, thanks for offering the url though:)
Euphemistic on 08/03/2021 - 07:36

Touch up pint is really only designed to make it look from a distance - just match the colour, texture will be a bit off.

There will be very few people that actually notice it.
- hfwangau on 08/03/2021 - 17:34
  
  Thanks.
  
  Today I applied polishing compound and it looks better.
  
  Before
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vtWJ2i8E9nZVoNgyrseZmQlhayD…
  
  After
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/13PsbfeI-57gJJlBzVT5xEfgiELn…
  
  Actually I am fine with the finish like this.
  
  However I am thinking if can even have better finish.
  
  I miss the step of adding clear coat.
  
  If I do:
  
  add clear coat - > sand finely - > polishing compound
  
  or
  
  paint gloss black again - > add clear coat - > sand finely - > polishing compound
  
  will it achieve a better finish?
  
  If so, 1 or 2?
  - Euphemistic on 09/03/2021 - 07:32
    
    Normally the best way is to remove the part and spray the whole thing. Especially on something like this. Even if the colour isn’t perfect, the complete part will be uniform and it doesn’t meet any similar coloured parts to highlight the colour being a bit off.
    
    Edit: go on you for having a go. You’ll learn valuable techniques for a ‘real’ repair.
    - hfwangau on 09/03/2021 - 16:06
      
      Thanks, I will refrain from disattaching the mirror due to
      1. Fine with the current finish.
      2. There is camera embedded.
      
      However I will definitely DIY the towing mirror once I decide to install.
      
      Thanks for the tips.

How to Fix Scratched Mirror Frame Properly?

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