ya so my first new car, a scion tc black Sand pearl, already has a scuff mark. Its noticable to the anal attentive owner (me), but to others you couldn't tell. Should i take it somewhere to get it done? I checked paintscratch.com, and was thinking of getting something there, but really i am not sure to get a spray, pen, etc. They also say you need a clearcoat on it. Don't wanna mess up the car more, but i sense ill pay an awful lot somewhere to get it fixed (doesn't look like it needs to be a 600 dollar job). wondering what peoples thoughts on this would be

hey i know it's a big thing getting a scratch.. but answer this.. is it in the clearcoat? you can tell because light reflects the scratch.. if it's not through the paint (you'll see dark grey instead of black) then you can use some Meguair's Scratch X scratch remover.. it's a mild remover, which is nice, because you use a little, buff (in the line of the scratch) it, then if it's not gone you can do a little more until it's gone.. You can get ScratchX at pep boys, thats the last place i bought mine at.. works very well and yes it's clearcoat safe, I wouldn't use anything else..

if the scratch is through the paint to the primer (it will be dark grey) then you can buy some touch up paint from the dealer, but don't use their paint brush in the bottle.. it's WAY too large.. go to an art supply store and get a paint brush that matches the width of the scratch.. I have used wax remover (can get this at a paint supply store) to prep the surface.. yes I have painted a few cars in my day.. nothing worse than painting on a dirty surface and one with wax.. that paint is guaranteed to come up.. anyway then once all of it's ready, you can paint.. use a little bit of paint not a lot.. and if you mess up you can usually remove the paint with a paper towel wet with that wax remover.. but usually that will do the trick.. go slow.. and you should have good results.. also it should be at least 55-60 degrees outside.. any colder and the paint won't dry right..

hope that helps.. let us know if it's a scuff in the clearcoat or a scratch through the paint to the primer..

Sounds like the scratch is minor and you should be able to buff it out with a good polish such as Meguiar's DACP. If you are as anal as I am you may want to invest in a orbital polisher to avoid looking like Popeye :shock:

If it is deeper and has gone through to the primer or metal then you might want to take a look at this link for some info: http://autopia.org/kb/index.php?page=index_v2&id=27&c=16

Hope this helps. :D

i also got a scratch on my BSP xb but i think it's pretty deep cuz i can see white ?!?!?! i was installing my cathodes and i pushed the door against the car next to me (which is also white so i don't know if it's really a scratch) and i heard a loud scratch noise and i went SH*T !!! i can't really tell if his paint is on my xb or if he took my paint ?!?!?! it's on the side of the door about 2 inches long but really thin!!!!

Do what i do, buy another car... :lol:

THnaks for the input. The scrath is minor, its still got shine on it (dunno if its from the wax. Ill be looking to buy Meguire's Scratch X. Another product someone directed me to ws polishing compound, particuarly Duponts, but any is supposed to do.

E

if you decide to use rubbing compound,then get the fine compound and if your scratch is not deep,then thin it down with water,because your clear coat is thin on the scions,just my thought.

If it is very fine, Meguiars ScratchX should definately do the job. Rubbing compound might be excessive if it's just a fine microscratch. Anyhow, good luck.

Get the paint pen from paintscratch.com. When you're ordering, you can opt for the kit. It will cost like $30 or so, but it includes the pen for the color AND for the clear coat. It also has some other things you might need. If you take your time and do it right, you can do a good job. Just follow the instructions and test it first.

if the scratch is through the paint to the primer (it will be dark grey) then you can buy some touch up paint from the dealer, but don't use their paint brush in the bottle.. it's WAY too large.. go to an art supply store and get a paint brush that matches the width of the scratch.. I have used wax remover (can get this at a paint supply store) to prep the surface.. yes I have painted a few cars in my day.. nothing worse than painting on a dirty surface and one with wax.. that paint is guaranteed to come up.. anyway then once all of it's ready, you can paint.. use a little bit of paint not a lot.. and if you mess up you can usually remove the paint with a paper towel wet with that wax remover.. but usually that will do the trick.. go slow.. and you should have good results.. also it should be at least 55-60 degrees outside.. any colder and the paint won't dry right..

hope that helps.. let us know if it's a scuff in the clearcoat or a scratch through the paint to the primer..

any idea how much is the touch up paint from the dealer ?

I was told the touchup was $6.99 for the small bottle

I was told the touchup was $6.99 for the small bottle

That's probably just for the paint color. If you want it to match the original, you need some time, a steady hand, and clear coat. It will cost more, but what is $30 or so to buy it from paintscratch.com when you just spend $15-18k on a car?

if you decide to use rubbing compound,then get the fine compound and if your scratch is not deep,then thin it down with water,because your clear coat is thin on the scions,just my thought.

Yeah, for sure go easy with rubbing compound if you use it. I worked a little into a scratch on a rear door sill and it took the clear coat right off. Luckily it's a fairly small scratch and only shows when the door is open.


Laura