Any good way to remove the deep scratch?

**jameskim** · 11-03-2016, 07:57 PM

Ok, I have a real bad week. I had to park my car outside of my work warehouse for 3 days, I came back, and this is what happed.

Believer or not, this is a smallest, shortest scratch among 5. Yes, I got 5 long and deep scratches on hood, door, and trunk.

There is no security camera in the car nor the parking area. I have to figure it out myself.

Anyway, I am not a good detail guy and did a quick good result with small scratches removed on my wife's van, which only needed a wet 3000 and 5000 grit

papers and Meg compunt.

But, this one is pretty long and deep. It's kind of hard to see but it's pretty deep.

So, I tried one of the scratches with 1200 grit, but I think that was over sanded, the paint was faded, blue color is gone and now I can see gray metal color under it. So, I put some touch up paint there this afternoon, but looks worse now.

Please advise me how to start.

Should I have touch up paint first to cover the scratch with toothpick? or should I start with like 2000 grit?

Thanks.

**Firehouse Mike** · 11-03-2016, 08:10 PM

For the area you sanded, sounds like a repaint might be the best option, you may have sanded thru the paint. Pics of that area will be very helpful. If insurance is covering it, do all of them. If not...for the remaining scratches, I'd try out a Dr. Colorchip kit for your color.

good luck...Mike

**capnp72** · 11-03-2016, 08:12 PM

You should definitely put some touch-up paint in the scratch and let it dry for at least few days before sanding. I would also use painter's tape to tape both sides close to the scratch. Do you have a picture of the other scratch that sanded with the 1200 grit? I'm not a professional but this is my two cents.

**Mantilgh** · 11-03-2016, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by jameskim

Should I have touch up paint first to cover the scratch with toothpick? or should I start with like 2000 grit?

Thanks.

Yes, if they are deep it would would be best to start with some form of touch up paint.

If you use the common brush on style of paint, you'll need to sand it back down level with the paint after it cures. You also risk cutting through if you are to aggressive.

1200 grit is a bit aggressive for trying to remove a scratch, maybe even 1500 grit too. Those are better to use to cut down the excess touch up paint to get it closer to level, but stop short and finish up the leveling out with 2000 and/or 3000 grit.

Like above, you can tape up to the filled scratch on both sides and use this as a guide to sand down to. Once you sand evenly down to the tape, remove the tape and finish with the higher grit.

Make sure the area is cleaned well and let the paint cure for a least a couple of weeks or you may end up pulling the paint back out thinner areas of the scratch.

**jameskim** · 11-03-2016, 09:06 PM

Thanks for input, I will try tomorrow afternoon and will update photo.

Thank.

**TTQ B4U** · 11-03-2016, 11:56 PM

I use Dr. Color Chip and their small applicators to fill in deep scratches. Let it cure for a day or so, tape it off closely and lightly sand it to be level with the surrounding area. Keep checking to insure it's level and blends nicely. stay focused and try not to sand the surrounding good paint...yet. Once it's level, widen the taped off area just a bit, lightly sand and blend just a few strokes to insure it's all truly level. Polish back to a nice clean shine.

You should be able to get those about 95% + at 3ft viewing distance.

**jameskim** · 11-09-2016, 05:53 PM

I think I got stuck now.

Please take a look pictures and advise me.

I had a few deep long scratches. This is the one I was trying to get it out.

I did a exactly same way I did on my wife's car, 2013 Toyota Sienna Gray color. That came out very nice and clean. No issue.

So, I did same thing I did, but the result is completely different. I think it's getting worse now, or maybe the worst now.

2000/2500/3000 grit, the scratch is gone as well as the whole paint.

Please advise me.