scartches and the removal of
27 January 2002, 04:56 PM
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Not sure where to put this since there is no bodywork/exterior section.
My estate is full of cats and I have seen at times they rest and play on my car, including my own cat! I suspext that it is them that have made some scartches that although small have broken the paint. There are too many small scratches to warrant the likes of dent master etc. I tried the lipstick type wax but its crap. Whilst in Halfords I noticed that they have brought out a new kit including specific colour matched paint, lacquer the lot. It looks like a similar kit that dent master etc would use. There was absolutely millions of these kits and they do look like probably the best, cheapest solution. Alas though, no Subaru section!!!!
Now, the question is....Is there another solution or is there another paint code similar to DBM i think its 52b or something.
Any ideas? No killing of animals pls, I have already thought of that and haven't got the heart
My estate is full of cats and I have seen at times they rest and play on my car, including my own cat! I suspext that it is them that have made some scartches that although small have broken the paint. There are too many small scratches to warrant the likes of dent master etc. I tried the lipstick type wax but its crap. Whilst in Halfords I noticed that they have brought out a new kit including specific colour matched paint, lacquer the lot. It looks like a similar kit that dent master etc would use. There was absolutely millions of these kits and they do look like probably the best, cheapest solution. Alas though, no Subaru section!!!!
Now, the question is....Is there another solution or is there another paint code similar to DBM i think its 52b or something.
Any ideas? No killing of animals pls, I have already thought of that and haven't got the heart
27 January 2002, 07:25 PM
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Personaly I would speak to the Wax Wizzard, he will tell you what to do.
The touch up pens are good, if you have steady hands, have lots of experience of them, can get teh correct amount of paint in the scratch without flodding it etc etc do I need to go on ??
If the scratches are not too deep haw about one of those coloured car waxes, not the best thing going but said to cover up some scratches.
The touch up pens are good, if you have steady hands, have lots of experience of them, can get teh correct amount of paint in the scratch without flodding it etc etc do I need to go on ??
If the scratches are not too deep haw about one of those coloured car waxes, not the best thing going but said to cover up some scratches.
27 January 2002, 07:37 PM
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hi is Mark still about coz i looked for the site but its "page can not be displayed". I have just ordered some of this stuff from http://www.langka.com/. Apparently you fill in the scratches/chips with your colour code and then rub this stuff on. I will try it on a small disrete scratch and let you know what its like.
Thanks for the reply. As search is down.....still!.....do you know Marks number?
Cheers
Paul
Thanks for the reply. As search is down.....still!.....do you know Marks number?
Cheers
Paul
28 January 2002, 02:39 PM
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Why does everyone love to go to Halfords and buy spray paints to "ruin" an impreza?
Do you take your car to there or Charlie Browns for a gearbox build?? eerrrrr NO!! so why go there and pretend you can come out with a professional spraying kit!!
If the cat HAS scratched your car(it wont in normal life but if someone tries to scare it off it maydo) the scratches wont be deep enough to break the paint. If you wax your car or polish it then the powdery residue will stay in the scratch..thus making it look worse than it really is (white line against your shiney paint!) This is how that $hite stuff Colour Magic works, it just leaves a coloured residue in the scratch.
Most surface scratches can be flatted and polished out in about 2 mins...IF you know what you are doing. I do this for a living and have done so for the past 15 years!
Dont ruin yor scooby with spray cans etc, the colour wont match, you wont get a laquered finish, you will get dry patches at the edges of the blend and if you dont know what you are doing...well.......!!
Tim
Do you take your car to there or Charlie Browns for a gearbox build?? eerrrrr NO!! so why go there and pretend you can come out with a professional spraying kit!!
If the cat HAS scratched your car(it wont in normal life but if someone tries to scare it off it maydo) the scratches wont be deep enough to break the paint. If you wax your car or polish it then the powdery residue will stay in the scratch..thus making it look worse than it really is (white line against your shiney paint!) This is how that $hite stuff Colour Magic works, it just leaves a coloured residue in the scratch.
Most surface scratches can be flatted and polished out in about 2 mins...IF you know what you are doing. I do this for a living and have done so for the past 15 years!
Dont ruin yor scooby with spray cans etc, the colour wont match, you wont get a laquered finish, you will get dry patches at the edges of the blend and if you dont know what you are doing...well.......!!
Tim
28 January 2002, 03:03 PM
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Not Halfords thats for sure!!!! 
I cant recommend anywhere. I would love to come and do it myself but then i wouldn't earn any money!!
A bodyshop should be able to do it but then having said that with the IT revolution we have had in the last few years there are no decent painters left in bodyshops!! A good painter would be able to flat the surface sratches out with 1500 wet and dry and then buff the area with a machine polisher. * PLEASE DONT TRY THIS AT HOME COS YOU WILL EITHER FLAT THROUGH THE PAINT OR BURN THROUGH IT WITH THE BUFFER *
It is strange that people will take their car to a specialist for every squeek, groan and rattle and for servicing too but when it comes to bodywork think its fine to start messing!! Is this the DIY in evryone coming out...OOO i made a nice job of the skirting board in the lounge, I think i'll pop out and do the side skirts on the scoob!!
ah ha
Tim
I cant recommend anywhere. I would love to come and do it myself but then i wouldn't earn any money!!
A bodyshop should be able to do it but then having said that with the IT revolution we have had in the last few years there are no decent painters left in bodyshops!! A good painter would be able to flat the surface sratches out with 1500 wet and dry and then buff the area with a machine polisher. * PLEASE DONT TRY THIS AT HOME COS YOU WILL EITHER FLAT THROUGH THE PAINT OR BURN THROUGH IT WITH THE BUFFER *
It is strange that people will take their car to a specialist for every squeek, groan and rattle and for servicing too but when it comes to bodywork think its fine to start messing!! Is this the DIY in evryone coming out...OOO i made a nice job of the skirting board in the lounge, I think i'll pop out and do the side skirts on the scoob!!
ah ha
Tim
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28 January 2002, 05:08 PM
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Oh Markus...you would be better off going to Halfords!!
Not saying all these paople are no good but they are all franchises. most of operators have no back ground in boby paint techniques. if they were any good they would have their own business like me.
You can try them out but i'm only warning you. The operators have to put up 15 to 20 grand in some cases for 1 weeks training and the supply of the products. Dont make them a qualified painter does it!!
oh well
Tim
Not saying all these paople are no good but they are all franchises. most of operators have no back ground in boby paint techniques. if they were any good they would have their own business like me.
You can try them out but i'm only warning you. The operators have to put up 15 to 20 grand in some cases for 1 weeks training and the supply of the products. Dont make them a qualified painter does it!!
oh well
Tim
28 January 2002, 05:38 PM
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Timo no offence mate but you really are sounding like that Harry Enfield character "ohhh you don't want to do it like that". You've given a lot of advice on how not to do it but none on where to actually get it done. It's all very well telling people that they should know better and you've done this very well, but can you actually help.
28 January 2002, 06:39 PM
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Soz guys but I'm with Timo! Been in the trade 8 years and have seen some horrendous jobs!
To get the scratches out try, really lightly rubbing the scratch out with 1500 grade paper, then go over with some cutting polish and then some wax. If that doesn't work, get it painted!!
Bob
To get the scratches out try, really lightly rubbing the scratch out with 1500 grade paper, then go over with some cutting polish and then some wax. If that doesn't work, get it painted!!
Bob
28 January 2002, 09:44 PM
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Thanks to all that replied. I appreciate your comments about halfords spray paints and the use of by inexperienced people. I suppose it must get your back up to see us even considering it. Thing is, to those "not in the know" we want to find a relatively cheap way of restoring our bodywork and without going to a bodyshop where else can we find solutions? As you say these people from dent master and the like arn't experts yet I have seen very good results. If thats easy why can't we have access to this kit and why can't it be the same as this new stuff in halfords.
Ideally I would like to be shown how to do Bob.T's reply. My biggest bugbear is that I haven't long ago had just about a full respray and these scratches just keep appearing. I can't see where else they are coming from other than cats. They all seem on the edge of the quarter panels where I guess the try to climb or stay on. Thats why i think its them.
I am sure that the majority of them can indeed be polished out but there is definately some that i can see the undercoat. They are not wide or particularly deep/long but there are many in places.
Can anyone get access to an electrical polisher, i.e hire etc.
Mark, I'll call you tomorrow. Do you think you can help?
Ideally I would like to be shown how to do Bob.T's reply. My biggest bugbear is that I haven't long ago had just about a full respray and these scratches just keep appearing. I can't see where else they are coming from other than cats. They all seem on the edge of the quarter panels where I guess the try to climb or stay on. Thats why i think its them.
I am sure that the majority of them can indeed be polished out but there is definately some that i can see the undercoat. They are not wide or particularly deep/long but there are many in places.
Can anyone get access to an electrical polisher, i.e hire etc.
Mark, I'll call you tomorrow. Do you think you can help?
28 January 2002, 11:53 PM
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No offence to be taken. If the words cheap and bodyshop werent so opposed then people would obviously be less inclined to diy. I also concur that its the experience you pay for usually through labour costs. I just want to know if you have the tools and some experience is it possible to succesfully mask small scratches. Its very easy to suggest its the wrong thing to diy but there has to be a solution. I admit that one could make a mess but the theroy is a case of filling the paint and lacquer and polishing isn't it? Not being naive, i appreciate that there is massive skill involved. I would be willing to visit someone if they think they can help. I can post pictures of the scratches if that would help?
Cheers
Paul
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 12:00:59 AM]
Cheers
Paul
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 12:00:59 AM]
29 January 2002, 08:27 AM
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If you read what i actually said,i.e flat with 1500 wet and dry and buff up with a machine polisher.
This is how it is done. but if you go out (to HALFORDS!!) and buy some 1500 w/d and some cutting compound and come home and DIY it, tthen there will be a 95% chance that you will either flat too much and break through the laquer or when polishing you will go too far and break through the laquer.
As for telling you where to get it done...well just cos i'm in the trade i dont have a directory of all the scratch polishing chaps out there!! SORRY!
I'm quite happy to organise a day like wax wizard does or like you go to a rolling road day or something were anyone with scratches or minor paint defects, i.e scuffed bumpers, scuffed mirror backs, light scratches etc can come along and have them sorted by me dressed as that Harry Enfield character!!
Please dont ask me to do stone chips on your bonnet cos i dont waist my time with them,or if you have a large vandal scratch or something that is down to metal and the full length of the car Harry wouldn't like that either!!
Sorry for sounding negative in my earlier posts but i didn't want anyone to rush out and start spoiling their pride and joy!
hope this helps you angry lot!!!
"Now i don't beleive i wanted to say that....!!"
Tim
This is how it is done. but if you go out (to HALFORDS!!) and buy some 1500 w/d and some cutting compound and come home and DIY it, tthen there will be a 95% chance that you will either flat too much and break through the laquer or when polishing you will go too far and break through the laquer.
As for telling you where to get it done...well just cos i'm in the trade i dont have a directory of all the scratch polishing chaps out there!! SORRY!
I'm quite happy to organise a day like wax wizard does or like you go to a rolling road day or something were anyone with scratches or minor paint defects, i.e scuffed bumpers, scuffed mirror backs, light scratches etc can come along and have them sorted by me dressed as that Harry Enfield character!!
Please dont ask me to do stone chips on your bonnet cos i dont waist my time with them,or if you have a large vandal scratch or something that is down to metal and the full length of the car Harry wouldn't like that either!!
Sorry for sounding negative in my earlier posts but i didn't want anyone to rush out and start spoiling their pride and joy!
hope this helps you angry lot!!!
"Now i don't beleive i wanted to say that....!!"
Tim
29 January 2002, 08:53 AM
#18
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Sorry, i've worked in bodyshops, and i'm 100% with Timo on this.
If scratches are through the basecoat and a different colour is showing, it isn't a diy job. A .5mm wide scratch isn't going to look very good painted over with a 3mm wide touch up paint, which probably won't match anyway.....
You *can* get lacquer scratches out yourself, but only if you have been trained to do it. There is easy potential to make it worse than when you started.
If scratches are through the basecoat and a different colour is showing, it isn't a diy job. A .5mm wide scratch isn't going to look very good painted over with a 3mm wide touch up paint, which probably won't match anyway.....
You *can* get lacquer scratches out yourself, but only if you have been trained to do it. There is easy potential to make it worse than when you started.
29 January 2002, 08:57 AM
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I have had a look this morning and it is hard for me to really tell how deep the scratches are because they all look white. Maybe it is just the lacquer in 90% of these scratches? So I take it only an electrical polisher would remove/restore these then? There is no polishing I can do by hand to see how it goes? How much does a polisher cost anyway?
Cheers
edited cos i can't spell.
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 9:00:44 AM]
Cheers
edited cos i can't spell.
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 9:00:44 AM]
29 January 2002, 09:19 AM
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If you persist in using an electric polisher, and have not used one before, as stated above it is almost certain that you will burn through the lacquer. You won't realise it until it is too late, and then you are through the basecoat - respray time! They must NOT be used dry, as this is guaranteed to burn, but used with an abrasive polish........and that is what it says on the tin - are you getting the message?
I'm not being rude, merely trying to save you from an inevitable respray, but if you have never used an electric polisher on a car paint before, you may as well use an angle grinder.....
If you *have* to try and get the scratches out yourself, then do it by hand. If you don't know whether they are into the basecoat or not, then you shouldn't be doing it at all.
Please don't say we haven't tried to warn you!
I'm not being rude, merely trying to save you from an inevitable respray, but if you have never used an electric polisher on a car paint before, you may as well use an angle grinder.....
If you *have* to try and get the scratches out yourself, then do it by hand. If you don't know whether they are into the basecoat or not, then you shouldn't be doing it at all.
Please don't say we haven't tried to warn you!
29 January 2002, 11:44 AM
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I understand.... after all your comments I am just going to get someone in the trade to polish out what they can. I'll reasses the scratches and what to do after that.
Talk about bursting my ballon
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 11:44:51 AM]
Talk about bursting my ballon
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 11:44:51 AM]
29 January 2002, 12:00 PM
#24
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Interesting thread...
I've have a silver mettalic STI with lacquer top coat, it's got some light isolated scratching here and there (mostly bumpers). It's not down to the base coat though.. I've been told catagorically that there is no way to touch it up and that the whole area will need to be re-done in order to remove said scratches..
This from a highly reputable body shop.
This is in addition to the standard stone chips on the bumper that has lifted the lacqure in places..
Cost - £1200 excluding materials..
bugger
I've have a silver mettalic STI with lacquer top coat, it's got some light isolated scratching here and there (mostly bumpers). It's not down to the base coat though.. I've been told catagorically that there is no way to touch it up and that the whole area will need to be re-done in order to remove said scratches..
This from a highly reputable body shop.
This is in addition to the standard stone chips on the bumper that has lifted the lacqure in places..
Cost - £1200 excluding materials..
bugger
29 January 2002, 12:46 PM
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Told you...if you gat enough people in your area I'll come down and look at thenm for you.I can bring my dent man too if the beer is cheap enough there!!
We both have our own businesses and also provide training programmes for new businesses. We are both fully skilled paint and panel professionals and could be on had to repair:
parking dents
scuffed bumpers/mirrors
light panel scratches
windscreen chips
if you are interested in booking us to come to your area and being a host then mail me offline.
By the way a good machine polisher will cost you around £150.00
Cheers
Tim
We both have our own businesses and also provide training programmes for new businesses. We are both fully skilled paint and panel professionals and could be on had to repair:
parking dents
scuffed bumpers/mirrors
light panel scratches
windscreen chips
if you are interested in booking us to come to your area and being a host then mail me offline.
By the way a good machine polisher will cost you around £150.00
Cheers
Tim
29 January 2002, 06:50 PM
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Bob
oh yeah, bodyshop prices are high cos of the outrageous price of paint materials. They have to be tree hugger friendly, waste diposed of yada yada....
29 January 2002, 09:48 PM
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So southern lads where and when are we gong to get timo down to sort out our dents and scratches. Any ideas for a venue??? What if the weather is crap - what about somewhere with a bit of undercover protection.
[Edited by BENA80 - 1/29/2002 10:01:13 PM]
[Edited by BENA80 - 1/29/2002 10:01:13 PM]
29 January 2002, 09:56 PM
#28
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Its a good idea. I am not sure of a venue but lets just test the water to see how many people would be interested and if it would be worth the lads efforts. It would have to be worth their while in $ after all. I am sure if there is enough demand put them up somewhere for the night. ???
Cheers
Paul.
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 9:57:40 PM]
Cheers
Paul.
[Edited by paulwadams_my99 - 1/29/2002 9:57:40 PM]
02 February 2002, 07:38 PM
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Not such a favourable idea then
Anyway, I am just about sorted. I rang the wax wizzard and he made me up some cleanser (abrasive polish) and cleaner wax. All I can say is its a quite amazing result. The abrasive polish practically made all my minor scatches disappear and the wax puts a lush retored colour and shine to the paintwork. Both bottles cost me £13. Apart from that he offered his services if I got stuck over the weekend. I have borrowed the digital camera and will post some pictures tomorrow. I wanted to do the before and after on the scratches but couldn't wait, sorry.
Cheers for all your help through this one.
P.S. After all that some ****** dented my door in the car park today
Ho Hum.
Anyway, I am just about sorted. I rang the wax wizzard and he made me up some cleanser (abrasive polish) and cleaner wax. All I can say is its a quite amazing result. The abrasive polish practically made all my minor scatches disappear and the wax puts a lush retored colour and shine to the paintwork. Both bottles cost me £13. Apart from that he offered his services if I got stuck over the weekend. I have borrowed the digital camera and will post some pictures tomorrow. I wanted to do the before and after on the scratches but couldn't wait, sorry.
Cheers for all your help through this one.
P.S. After all that some ****** dented my door in the car park today
Ho Hum.