Front Bumper Scuff, Deep Key Scratch - Audi A8

[suf420]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160829/cd7fcb1afd31c3db2e332451b031662a.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160829/dc30db9d4ce2a32db59470db17d112d9.jpg

So whilst inspecting my paint (getting ready for the flex 3401 [emoji39]) I found two problems on the body of my car.

Problem No.1

Seems like the bumper scuffed on something and the paint feels like it's missing a layer,can't see through to the primer BUT feels rough and uneven.

Problem No.2

Someone has been kind enough to run a key at the rear passenger side fender (right above the wheel), yup definitely see the primer and my finger nails stick in.

Advice, suggestions and remedies welcome!

[briarpatch]

First pic...looks like the clear coat was compromised.....maybe time for a repaint...you might be in the same boat with that fender

[suf420]

First pic...looks like the clear coat was compromised.....maybe time for a repaint...you might be in the same boat with that fender

Thanks Brian, Don't think I want to spend £2000 on repainting a year old car.

To be honest I'm not looking for complete defect removal, although it would have been good however what I am after is to hide/reduce them as much as possible without a new paint job.


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[Mantilgh]

You could use Dr Colorchip for the scratches and to fill the chips in on the front.

Dr. ColorChip Paint Chip Repair, dr. color chip, repair paint chips, touch-up paint, Doctor Color-Chip Paint Chip Repair (http://www.autogeek.net/dr-colorchip-paint-chip-repair.html)

I agree that it looks like the clear coat is gone on that spot on the bumper. There is no quick/easy/unnoticeable fix for that other than a repaint.

[Ramairetransam]

looks like the clear is gone . Is the car new, as in less than a year old 2015 or 2016 ? or new to you , bc that is a clear coat failure.

[suf420]

You could use Dr Colorchip for the scratches and to fill the chips in on the front.

Dr. ColorChip Paint Chip Repair, dr. color chip, repair paint chips, touch-up paint, Doctor Color-Chip Paint Chip Repair (http://www.autogeek.net/dr-colorchip-paint-chip-repair.html)

I agree that it looks like the clear coat is gone on that spot on the bumper. There is no quick/easy/unnoticeable fix for that other than a repaint.

For sure the clear coat is compromised. I'll look into the paint chip repair.


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[suf420]

looks like the clear is gone . Is the car new, as in less than a year old 2015 or 2016 ? or new to you , bc that is a clear coat failure.

It's a 2013, but I bought it in June last year so new to me. [emoji5]


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[LSNAutoDetailing]

Yeah, hate to say what everyone else has said, however, you have a few choices.
1.) take it to body shop, which sounds to me like you're hesitant too... and for good reasons.
I lived in the UK for three years, and man your parking spots are tight at the old "pay-n-display"...
It won't be long before something gets scuffed or dinged again.

Option 2.) as mentioned above, Dr. Color Chip.

Here in lies the problem with the scratch, if it's through the clear, it's pretty deep. Any attempt at compounding/wet-sanding etc... will only remove gobs good paint that surround the scratch. If you were to hit it with your Flex, my suggestion would be to compound and polish as you would normally. 6 to 8 section passes over the 18"x18" panel. This will level things out but keep it commensurate with the rest of the paint. You'll notice that I didn't say stay on the scratch... Problem is if you do, you'll generate a lot of heat, and again, remove gobs of good paint.

Go over the area, 6-8 section passes. Then fill in with Dr. Color Chip. Wait a day or two for the paint to cure then come back and do another 6 - 8 section passes on the 18"x18" section and this should level out the Dr. Color Chip.

It won't be perfect, but should be able to pass the 3' test.

For the bumper cover, you can do a squeegee method on the bumper cover.
Here are some galleries of similar type repairs I've done where a bodyshop was out of the question.

Heavily Rock Chipped E350 (http://photos.looks-so-new-autodetailing.com/FullScreenSlideShow.aspx?gallery=4770155&mt=Photo)

Bumper Cover scratched by sheet metal (http://photos.looks-so-new-autodetailing.com/FullScreenSlideShow.aspx?gallery=4698021&mt=Photo)

9 Year old Bumper cover that was at the end of it's life with 140K miles (http://photos.looks-so-new-autodetailing.com/FullScreenSlideShow.aspx?gallery=4698024&mt=Photo)

Like I said, not perfect, not intended to be.

[TTQ B4U]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160829/cd7fcb1afd31c3db2e332451b031662a.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160829/dc30db9d4ce2a32db59470db17d112d9.jpg

So whilst inspecting my paint (getting ready for the flex 3401 [emoji39]) I found two problems on the body of my car.

Problem No.1

Seems like the bumper scuffed on something and the paint feels like it's missing a layer,can't see through to the primer BUT feels rough and uneven.

Problem No.2

Someone has been kind enough to run a key at the rear passenger side fender (right above the wheel), yup definitely see the primer and my finger nails stick in.

Advice, suggestions and remedies welcome!

Sorry to see some of those things on your car.

The pealing clear coat....not sure why or what that's from. Shouldn't be too expensive to have a body shop spray the clip though. Here in the US I have connections but $500 USD or so is fair. Not sure in London what that translates to. IMO it would be worth it as your car has a lot of road-rash visible.

In terms of the keyed area, if you're famliar with Dr. Color Chip, you can use that and have great success. Buy their kit and then add in the rubber squeegee they show on their site. Fill the area, level it and let it dry. "IF" you can't blend it with their solution, no worries, you can mask it off, wet sand it and then buff it. I would say you can probably get that to be about 90-95% at 3ft distance. I can link you to a write up I did here with my wife's van where by I a nearly the same type of scratch from my daughters hand brake on her bike gouging the hood. Black metallic but it blended perfectly. However even if it doesn't it will be way way better than the scratch.

Here's pics of ours and my quick attempt to repair it:

Starting Point
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/1_zpsqfwv5lqu.jpg

Filled with Paint and somewhat blended to level - did this way too fast as I was hot and tired
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/2_zpsrvy2l4jt.jpg

Wet sanded the area. Should have masked it off and done it better but again, rushed it a bit.
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/3_zps5rs2cdvo.jpg
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/4_zpswng4qe5n.jpg

Buffed it to see where I was with things
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/5_zpsicapmzgo.jpg

Finally nailed it and buffed it out. At 3ft it's nearly invisible so I circled it. I'll have better follow up shots once I get a coating on her :)
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/6_zpszvtkkz0q.jpg

[shadwell]

If you don't want to repair the bumper, just poilsh and apply a coating over it..

Touch up on the keying.. wet sand to flat and polish....

[Fast Eddie]

Front bumper looks like an bad respray (improper prep bad adhesion), I'd get that bumper repainted the right way.

[oldmodman]

You may have to educate me on English insurance coverage. But here in California I would just call up my insurance inspector, get the damage written down, take the car to the estimator and get it painted under my insurance coverage. The key damage is considered vandalism and is a covered loss.

The bumper damage may or may not be covered. But having it repaired during the key damage repair would be cheaper than having it done alone.

[suf420]

You may have to educate me on English insurance coverage. But here in California I would just call up my insurance inspector, get the damage written down, take the car to the estimator and get it painted under my insurance coverage. The key damage is considered vandalism and is a covered loss.

The bumper damage may or may not be covered. But having it repaired during the key damage repair would be cheaper than having it done alone.

Hi buddy, hmmm wish it were that simple.

The insurance claim would increase my premium for the next year if claimed on it. So that's definitely a no go.

I'm looking into the touch up paint option for the scratch as I have seen some pretty good results from another members experience (see above).

Not that comfortable with the wet sanding/ sanding of paint as yet but looking at a few videos of mike@autogeek on YouTube as we speak.




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