Deep scratches yet? DIY Suggestions?

12502 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by bmoy88, Aug 9, 2011

YuDanJa

Discussion Starter · May 11, 2011

So far I've been "lucky" with minor scratches that buff out, but one of these days I'm sure they'll be one of those "SON OF A...!" moments.

Once upon a time, I've used those scratch removers they sell at auto parts stores (or Target/Walmart). They kind of worked on certain types of scratches (more like scuff marks), but the ones that are deeper...didn't do much anything. I've even tried that..."as seen on tv"...Fix It(?), which makes it appear to have removed the scratch, but once you wipe off the excess ("immediately" per the instructions), it exposes the scratch again.

I know there's touch up paint, but I've no clue how to apply it. Just paint over the scratch and let it dry? I'm afraid it'd end up looking like someone just took a paint brush and stroked over it.

Anyone have a DIY method and/or product they use? Again, talking scratches as if someone had "keyed" your vehicle.

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Chunky1234

· #2 · May 11, 2011

YuDanJa said:
So far I've been "lucky" with minor scratches that buff out, but one of these days I'm sure they'll be one of those "SON OF A...!" moments.

Once upon a time, I've used those scratch removers they sell at auto parts stores (or Target/Walmart). They kind of worked on certain types of scratches (more like scuff marks), but the ones that are deeper...didn't do much anything. I've even tried that..."as seen on tv"...Fix It(?), which makes it appear to have removed the scratch, but once you wipe off the excess ("immediately" per the instructions), it exposes the scratch again.

I know there's touch up paint, but I've no clue how to apply it. Just paint over the scratch and let it dry? I'm afraid it'd end up looking like someone just took a paint brush and stroked over it.

Anyone have a DIY method and/or product they use? Again, talking scratches as if someone had "keyed" your vehicle.

Patience and a steady hand is what is required.

What you should try and do is fill in the scratch with the touch up paint and not cover it. Covering it, in other words trying to blend the paint just does not work. Step by step, using a cocktail stick to apply the paint, and allowing each coat to dry is the answer (use of a hairdryer can speed this up). Once you have enough paint in the scratch then leave well alone. Same applies for the clear coat, again do not try and blend it, you will just end up with a blop of paint.

Hope that helps.

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jimmyc13

· #3 · May 12, 2011

On my past cars, I've always just used the touch up paint that can be purchased at the stealership, but it never comes out great (kind of blotchy). I'm going to consider getting a Dr. Colorchip kit for this car & see how that works out.

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Chunky1234

· #4 · May 13, 2011

jimmyc13 said:
On my past cars, I've always just used the touch up paint that can be purchased at the stealership, but it never comes out great (kind of blotchy). I'm going to consider getting a Dr. Colorchip kit for this car & see how that works out.

Use the method I suggested above, works every time, remember you only need to fill the scratch / chip.

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jimmyc13

· #5 · Aug 4, 2011

I just purchased the Colorchip kit. I read a couple of reviews and it appears to work well. I have 2 small scratches on a rear door from some moron who hit my door w/ theirs (I hate when people are inconsiderate & don't care about others property).

Also, on my ride into work the other day while on the highway, a rock kicked up, hit my hood about 10" above the end of my clear bra & left 2 gashes in the paint (I can now see the metal hood), but luckily no dents. Going to try the Dr. Colorchip kit on these when it comes in. Yes, they had the paint codes for the CT already too! :0

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scottp461

· #6 · Aug 4, 2011

Chunky1234 said:
Patience and a steady hand is what is required.

What you should try and do is fill in the scratch with the touch up paint and not cover it. Covering it, in other words trying to blend the paint just does not work. Step by step, using a cocktail stick to apply the paint, and allowing each coat to dry is the answer (use of a hairdryer can speed this up). Once you have enough paint in the scratch then leave well alone. Same applies for the clear coat, again do not try and blend it, you will just end up with a blop of paint.

Hope that helps.

I bought a 5x "0" paint brush (the smallest?) to do my touch ups back in the 80's. I just had to replace it; all the brissels were gone! Use factory paint and acetone to clean it afterwards. Otherwise, what you said! I do wait a week between "coats", however, to allow it to completely dry before the next one! If needed, the final "coat" is clear laquer.

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TimN

· #7 · Aug 4, 2011

You may want to check out LANGKA product. It evens out the excess touch-up paint. I tried it once, and was pretty happy with the result.

Tim

LANGKA How to Repair Paint Chips and Scratches

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ct4mn

· #8 · Aug 5, 2011

I tried Quixx scratch removal and it got rid of scratches on my IS 250. If you can run your fingernail on the scratche(s) and does not get caught, then this product will work. Also, another test is to run water over the scratche(s) and it looked like the scratche(s) disappeared temporary, the Quixx product will work. If the scratche(s) look like white line, the clearcoat was scratched so using this product will work. You'll need to rub the product well and be patient and may need to apply it twice. In this case, I did not use the touchup paint. Check www.quixx.com for info....Good Luck!

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bmoy88

· #9 · Aug 8, 2011

I have a couple of nicks on the lower part of my front bumper. I guess people are using it as a "guide" to get in or out of a parking spot.

So I picked up the touch-up paint/applicator pen from my Lexus dealership - $14.25 plus taxes.

2 things:

- It is a bitch to get it to apply evenly. I did as the instructions said. Apply by depressing the nib until the paint starts to flow. Then smooth it on. I can't get it to smooth out! Still see the strokes and is a bit blobby.

- The color (Starfire Pearl 077) does not match. Even after I put on the clearcoat (on the other end of the pen), it is too white! I wonder if it is because the pearl color has been "darkened" by the sun over the 5 1/2 months I have had the car.

Anyways, it is better than the black that it was before!

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scottp461

· #10 · Aug 8, 2011 (Edited)

bmoy88 said:
I have a couple of nicks on the lower part of my front bumper. I guess people are using it as a "guide" to get in or out of a parking spot.

So I picked up the touch-up paint/applicator pen from my Lexus dealership - $14.25 plus taxes.

2 things:

- It is a bitch to get it to apply evenly. I did as the instructions said. Apply by depressing the nib until the paint starts to flow. Then smooth it on. I can't get it to smooth out! Still see the strokes and is a bit blobby.

- The color (Starfire Pearl 077) does not match. Even after I put on the clearcoat (on the other end of the pen), it is too white! I wonder if it is because the pearl color has been "darkened" by the sun over the 5 1/2 months I have had the car.

Anyways, it is better than the black that it was before!

There is supposedly a second "precoat" paint that's supposed to be applied before the color (I saw this at a website for our touch up paint), It ONLY applies to Starfire Pearl. The other colors don't require it!

It's called "Starfire Pearl Basecoat" and has the same paint code (077). It is available separately, as far as I can tell!

Here's a link to "Club Lexus" explaining 2 and 3 "stage" paint jobs.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-second-generation/244215-matador-red-three-stage-paint-2.html

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bmoy88

· #11 · Aug 8, 2011

scottp461 said:
There is supposedly a second "precoat" paint that's supposed to be applied before the color (I saw this at a website for our touch up paint), It ONLY applies to Starfire Pearl. The other colors don't require it!

It's called "Starfire Pearl Basecoat" and has the same paint code (077). It is available separately, as far as I can tell!

Here's a link to "Club Lexus" explaining 2 and 3 "stage" paint jobs.

Matador Red Three-Stage Paint - Page 2 - Club Lexus Forums

Thanks scottp461. I wasn't told about this by the parts guy at Lexus. It leads me to wonder if this precoat is just available at manufacturing time and not as a touch-up product.

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scottp461

· #12 · Aug 8, 2011

bmoy88 said:
Thanks scottp461. I wasn't told about this by the parts guy at Lexus. It leads me to wonder if this precoat is just available at manufacturing time and not as a touch-up product.

Here's a link to CT200h chat's touch up paint order page. It's listed in the drop down menu. I hope this helps!

Lexus Touch Up Paint | CT200h Chat

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bmoy88

· #13 · Aug 9, 2011

scottp461 said:
Here's a link to CT200h chat's touch up paint order page. It's listed in the drop down menu. I hope this helps!

Lexus Touch Up Paint | CT200h Chat

Thanks scottp461.

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