DetailedByPrecision
01-13-2015, 04:07 AM
An aunt recently came over to my house for a Christmas lunch party, and heard I do detailing work. She asked if anything could be done about some scrapes and damage on her cars front bumper. She texted some pics and I told her only option was to touch it up. Otherwise it will require a respray at the body shop. She dropped off the car, and I started inspecting and assessing the damage which was worse than what I imagined in my head.
Starting point for driver side
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/3971a4ba-44cc-4068-8516-ebb39967e786.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/3971a4ba-44cc-4068-8516-ebb39967e786.jpg.html)
Zoomed in at the corner. Upon inspected I see some paint transfer.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/6bd93e79-da20-4570-af22-456c77fbc80e.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/6bd93e79-da20-4570-af22-456c77fbc80e.jpg.html)
Applied some paint thinner on a towel and took the paint transfer off.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/99e1db70-9464-4f92-a1fb-6b489f90abf7.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/99e1db70-9464-4f92-a1fb-6b489f90abf7.jpg.html)
Went to the dealer and grabbed a bottle of touch up. I applied 3 thin coats on this area to achieve the results.
-Tip: Use a brush with soft bristles. Preferably a small size brush as well like the one that comes with the touch up bottle. I don't like the brush that comes with the touch up bottle because I can't do fine lines without it getting blobby.
-Tip: Use thin coats, but don't be cheap.
-Tip: Use a hairdryer to blow each coat, but do it from 1 feet away on lowest setting with heat for a couple mins.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/e719f497-4267-4270-8400-f3e381a8c900.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/e719f497-4267-4270-8400-f3e381a8c900.jpg.html)
Now I start working on the bigger damaged area. Upon inspection, I did not need to polish or use thinner for this area. My main concern were the 3 big black gashes up top. Because silver is a lighter color, it takes more coats to hide the black from showing.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/3e32d06d-b0c6-4d5c-937c-f6329bb5b342.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/3e32d06d-b0c6-4d5c-937c-f6329bb5b342.jpg.html)
Turned out better than expected after I was done.
-Tip: If the area that requires touch up have a deep gash try to fill it up as much as possible to get a flat result overtime with each layer of touch up.
-Tip: Be patient on the finer marks or it will not come out good.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/b3c9516f-809e-41a5-8799-3e4ec52faaa8.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/b3c9516f-809e-41a5-8799-3e4ec52faaa8.jpg.html)
Before and After
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/fc2e7ad9-54b1-400d-8b91-0e9dba012ddd.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/fc2e7ad9-54b1-400d-8b91-0e9dba012ddd.jpg.html)
Now for the other side which is easily 5 times as bad.....
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/9882f1a9-5b1c-4895-b288-19cac9c7def7.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/9882f1a9-5b1c-4895-b288-19cac9c7def7.jpg.html)
Close up revealed some scuffs that can be polished off.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/b0b5f0d4-9d16-4244-9a3d-d8f1597c5b2e.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/b0b5f0d4-9d16-4244-9a3d-d8f1597c5b2e.jpg.html)
Taken care of.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/aba808f8-99ff-4a98-acaf-30a36e8f3ee1.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/aba808f8-99ff-4a98-acaf-30a36e8f3ee1.jpg.html)
After doing 5 coats with a lot of patience and not going crazy..... I am happy with the outcome, and so was my aunt.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/6a786792-40d1-4f85-bdf6-fbea6d9018e8.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/6a786792-40d1-4f85-bdf6-fbea6d9018e8.jpg.html)
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/47a8cb1f-f08b-4989-824f-160d9f435b74.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/47a8cb1f-f08b-4989-824f-160d9f435b74.jpg.html)
Total time spent: 3 hr 30 mins
Cleaned up the headlights as well.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/c613fb9f-8f20-4cd4-a6e0-4f948bdff52f.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/c613fb9f-8f20-4cd4-a6e0-4f948bdff52f.jpg.html)
Driver side
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/56e7e7b7-c619-4e7f-a4bc-733a3ef32bbe.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/56e7e7b7-c619-4e7f-a4bc-733a3ef32bbe.jpg.html)
Test spot turned out good in the center
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/36d839c6-4726-456d-bc17-d3c84585f626.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/36d839c6-4726-456d-bc17-d3c84585f626.jpg.html)
Completed
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/4e2ac19b-9906-41f5-8929-fb0d3fcde27d.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/4e2ac19b-9906-41f5-8929-fb0d3fcde27d.jpg.html)
Passenger side
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/f1602c8a-a17f-4f72-9369-6b5edc08b574.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/f1602c8a-a17f-4f72-9369-6b5edc08b574.jpg.html)
Completed
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/9d1799de-c3a6-42eb-a995-c7ae29382b50.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/9d1799de-c3a6-42eb-a995-c7ae29382b50.jpg.html)
Products used
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/4a53ad8a-c750-4b4e-b224-4354f7b0faa7.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/4a53ad8a-c750-4b4e-b224-4354f7b0faa7.jpg.html)
Both completed
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/f8c8a30f-c8c4-4ac0-8beb-ae5ef6a97e88.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/f8c8a30f-c8c4-4ac0-8beb-ae5ef6a97e88.jpg.html)
Process:
Wiped down headlights
Clayed with medium grade
Menz FG400 with Cyan pad @ speed 5
Menz 203 with white pad @ speed 4
Sealed with Blackfire crystal seal paint sealant
Starting point for driver side
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/3971a4ba-44cc-4068-8516-ebb39967e786.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/3971a4ba-44cc-4068-8516-ebb39967e786.jpg.html)
Zoomed in at the corner. Upon inspected I see some paint transfer.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/6bd93e79-da20-4570-af22-456c77fbc80e.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/6bd93e79-da20-4570-af22-456c77fbc80e.jpg.html)
Applied some paint thinner on a towel and took the paint transfer off.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/99e1db70-9464-4f92-a1fb-6b489f90abf7.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/99e1db70-9464-4f92-a1fb-6b489f90abf7.jpg.html)
Went to the dealer and grabbed a bottle of touch up. I applied 3 thin coats on this area to achieve the results.
-Tip: Use a brush with soft bristles. Preferably a small size brush as well like the one that comes with the touch up bottle. I don't like the brush that comes with the touch up bottle because I can't do fine lines without it getting blobby.
-Tip: Use thin coats, but don't be cheap.
-Tip: Use a hairdryer to blow each coat, but do it from 1 feet away on lowest setting with heat for a couple mins.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/e719f497-4267-4270-8400-f3e381a8c900.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/e719f497-4267-4270-8400-f3e381a8c900.jpg.html)
Now I start working on the bigger damaged area. Upon inspection, I did not need to polish or use thinner for this area. My main concern were the 3 big black gashes up top. Because silver is a lighter color, it takes more coats to hide the black from showing.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/3e32d06d-b0c6-4d5c-937c-f6329bb5b342.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/3e32d06d-b0c6-4d5c-937c-f6329bb5b342.jpg.html)
Turned out better than expected after I was done.
-Tip: If the area that requires touch up have a deep gash try to fill it up as much as possible to get a flat result overtime with each layer of touch up.
-Tip: Be patient on the finer marks or it will not come out good.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/b3c9516f-809e-41a5-8799-3e4ec52faaa8.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/b3c9516f-809e-41a5-8799-3e4ec52faaa8.jpg.html)
Before and After
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/fc2e7ad9-54b1-400d-8b91-0e9dba012ddd.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/fc2e7ad9-54b1-400d-8b91-0e9dba012ddd.jpg.html)
Now for the other side which is easily 5 times as bad.....
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/9882f1a9-5b1c-4895-b288-19cac9c7def7.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/9882f1a9-5b1c-4895-b288-19cac9c7def7.jpg.html)
Close up revealed some scuffs that can be polished off.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/b0b5f0d4-9d16-4244-9a3d-d8f1597c5b2e.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/b0b5f0d4-9d16-4244-9a3d-d8f1597c5b2e.jpg.html)
Taken care of.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/aba808f8-99ff-4a98-acaf-30a36e8f3ee1.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/aba808f8-99ff-4a98-acaf-30a36e8f3ee1.jpg.html)
After doing 5 coats with a lot of patience and not going crazy..... I am happy with the outcome, and so was my aunt.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/6a786792-40d1-4f85-bdf6-fbea6d9018e8.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/6a786792-40d1-4f85-bdf6-fbea6d9018e8.jpg.html)
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/47a8cb1f-f08b-4989-824f-160d9f435b74.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/47a8cb1f-f08b-4989-824f-160d9f435b74.jpg.html)
Total time spent: 3 hr 30 mins
Cleaned up the headlights as well.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/c613fb9f-8f20-4cd4-a6e0-4f948bdff52f.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/c613fb9f-8f20-4cd4-a6e0-4f948bdff52f.jpg.html)
Driver side
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/56e7e7b7-c619-4e7f-a4bc-733a3ef32bbe.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/56e7e7b7-c619-4e7f-a4bc-733a3ef32bbe.jpg.html)
Test spot turned out good in the center
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/36d839c6-4726-456d-bc17-d3c84585f626.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/36d839c6-4726-456d-bc17-d3c84585f626.jpg.html)
Completed
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/4e2ac19b-9906-41f5-8929-fb0d3fcde27d.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/4e2ac19b-9906-41f5-8929-fb0d3fcde27d.jpg.html)
Passenger side
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/f1602c8a-a17f-4f72-9369-6b5edc08b574.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/f1602c8a-a17f-4f72-9369-6b5edc08b574.jpg.html)
Completed
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/9d1799de-c3a6-42eb-a995-c7ae29382b50.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/9d1799de-c3a6-42eb-a995-c7ae29382b50.jpg.html)
Products used
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/4a53ad8a-c750-4b4e-b224-4354f7b0faa7.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/4a53ad8a-c750-4b4e-b224-4354f7b0faa7.jpg.html)
Both completed
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/lemon801/f8c8a30f-c8c4-4ac0-8beb-ae5ef6a97e88.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/lemon801/media/f8c8a30f-c8c4-4ac0-8beb-ae5ef6a97e88.jpg.html)
Process:
Wiped down headlights
Clayed with medium grade
Menz FG400 with Cyan pad @ speed 5
Menz 203 with white pad @ speed 4
Sealed with Blackfire crystal seal paint sealant