I’m about to do something crazy…

[Eldorado2k]

You see this car? It’s got a major problem…




And no, it’s not that it’s too small, even though it is too small, but that’s beside the point.
The real problem is This.




It showed up with the left side of the hole open, but the overhanging part on the right sort of developed during the wash & dry, clay, etc… The bottom line is it’s there now and it’s making me cringe like you can imagine.

I’m contemplating doing something I never thought I’d do, I’m thinking of taking a razor blade to that nasty piece of clearcoat and basically ripping off the bandaid.

What would you do??

Btw the Smartcar is 106” inches in total length.
My Cadillac Deville is 207” inches in length.
That’s over 100” inches longer and nearly twice as long!lol. What a trip.

[Don M]

I'd call Lil' Tykes and ask about their paint warranty on those cars.

[MidnightNarwhal]

Idk what I would do but I see a cat I like the post

[Eldorado2k]

Idk what I would do but I see a cat I like the post

Yea, she’s looking at the camera in this 1.lol.

[Bruno Soares]

That hood is so tiny, how much could it cost to just re-spray that?

[Eldorado2k]

That hood is so tiny, how much could it cost to just re-spray that?

I hadn’t even thought about that. You’re probably right, but it’s not my car.

[MisterSnoop]

It's that clear coat or PPF?

[Eldorado2k]

I forgot to mention, it may actually cost considerably more than you’d think… Because this isn’t your ordinary Smartcar, it’s the Mercedes Benz of Smartcars.lol.

[Eldorado2k]

It's that clear coat or PPF?

It’s clearcoat.

[2black1s]

Short of stripping the offending clear coat and standard refinishing (primer surfacer + base coat + clear coat) which is really the right way, here's what I might try...

- Take a razor blade like you surmised and remove all of the loose clear coat
- Thoroughly scuff the remaining clear coat around the area where it has been removed with something in the 600G-800G range
- Scuff (very lightly) the exposed base coat - I'd use a fine scotchbrite pad for this step
- Spray 2 coats of clear over the missing clear coat area (2K spray can) - You're going to use this clear as you would a primer surfacer in a traditional repair - Allow to dry overnight or longer
- Block sand the applied clear coat to level the repaired and blend area (start with 400G or 600G and finish with 800G or 1000G)
- Thoroughly scuff the remainder of the hood with 800G or 1000G
- Spray 2 coats of clear over the entire hood (2K spray can)
- You could be done at this point - or - you can wetsand and polish if necessary