Getting paint "scuff marks" off body

MLPearson79 · #1 08-12-2006, 10:05 PM

My black car got very gently "scraped" by the white car door of a coworker one day. On close inspection, it just looks like the paint sort of transferred from her door to mine. It looks like it would come off rather easily, and when I sort of went at the edge of it with a fingernail, it sort of flaked off - but for obvious reasons, I'm not going to try this with the whole area (about 4 inches square).

I *think* this is one of those where the proverbial "that'll buff right out" comes into play...is this something I can do myself, and if so, with what?

**OctaneGuy** · #2 08-13-2006, 07:43 AM

I repaired a black Z4 recently. It had gotten bumped by a hit and run driver in a white car. Try claybar first with liberal amounts of quick detailer. Don't be surprised if you need to make 50 or more passes ie spending more than 30 minutes on the area. You won't hurt the paint, and the amount of paint removal with each pass will be very slight.

In my case, I removed as much as possible with clay, wetsanded using 2500 Unigrit, polished out sanding marks, and waxed and the fix was perfect--scratches pulled out, and white paint transfer removed. This is how a pro might fix it, definitely not recommended for you.

So try clay first, and if you have a friend with a PC, try that. Or better yet, get a paint cleaner like Scratch X and apply it by hand. See my site for how to apply ScratchX. www.showcargarage.com

Richard

MLPearson79 · #3 08-13-2006, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the tips! I'll try claybaring it first and if that doesn't get it all, I'll try Scratch-X. It's like the white paint is just sitting right on top of the clear coat, so it shouldn't be *too* hard to remove, I wouldn't think.

ImagoX · #4 08-13-2006, 11:21 PM

Start with clay bar if you haven't already done the Scratch-X thing... Clay bar was actually designed with just such a purpose in mind, namely removing paint overspray and other contaminents (acid rain, grime, etc.) from healthy paint. I worry that, with the Scratch-X, you might pull off the white paint but, since that paint's not "stuck" to anything (like it will stick to the clay) it will then be ground around on your good paint, making swirls or other fugly marks. A clay bar kit with clay and lube is only like $15 for the kit, and besides, after you're done removing the white paint you can clay the REST of the car and make it look all sparkly - totally a win/win scenario!

joedude99 · #5 08-14-2006, 06:32 AM

Why didn't you guys use 3M compound?

jwardell · #6 08-15-2006, 06:55 AM

You are usually good when you see their paint on yours, instead of the other way around. That's why I always keep Scratch-X around. It should buff right off.

The problem arises when either car is dirty and some grit gets between the two, and that's where the scratches can get bad and you may need to do more complex polishing.

**OctaneGuy** · #7 08-15-2006, 07:29 AM

Because there are much better products than 3M compound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joedude99

Why didn't you guys use 3M compound?

**OctaneGuy** · #8 08-15-2006, 07:39 AM

Take a look at these scuff marks on this 2005 Black Corvette, I restored it to perfect condition.

These look pretty bad don't they?

Clay bar did this
First few passes with claybar

Then this after some light polishing

Sorry no front bumper pix but here are side pix
Claybar alone removed all the orange color from fender

No photo tricks, no retouching, no painting, just claybar and buffing.

gizzer777 · #9 08-15-2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Because there are much better products than 3M compound.

Besides Scratch X being better (IMHO) ...(I use Mother's machine polish with my PC orbital)...I have not been able to locate "safe for clearcoat" on the 3m label.

Scratch X and claybar removed the paint left behind when someone scraped my black mirror cap leaving red paint behind...did not even have to break out the PC!

Claybar is AMAZING....just when I thought I had the paint clean...I used the bar and boy did it pick up stuff (it turns a grey/black color so you just fold it over to a clean area!

MLPearson79 · #10 08-15-2006, 09:59 AM

The paint scuff on my car looks a bit thicker than those marks on the Corvette...BUT I think it will work anyway. It really seems like I could chip at it with a fingernail to get it loose but of course I'm not going to do that. So I ordered a claybar and some other things from Griot's and am waiting for them to show up (hopefully this week) so I can try it this weekend.

I'm just trying to get this car super-pretty to either sell or trade in on my new MC. I just noticed a new parking dent on my rear fender yesterday which got me all annoyed but whatever. I'm not going to take it in to get all the little dents and dings knocked out, I just want it to look great while spending the least possible amount of $$$ in doing so. The inside is fastidiously clean.

Another question - you know the a/c/heating dash vents in American cars - the rectangular kind with the tabs that flip the little fins inside open and closed? How hard are those to pop out of there and replace? The little tabs on every single one of mine are broken and I'm thinking about going down to the salvage yard to pull a set out of a car and replace them....if it's not a total pain.

MLPearson79 · #11 08-20-2006, 11:01 AM

Thanks for the tips on this one, guys...I tried it yesterday and while the clay did not get it out, the Scratch-X sure did! It took about half an hour though, I thought my arm was going to fall off!