How to fix a deliberate deep key scratch


Last sunday after shopping, I returned to my car to find this...

From the driver's door all the way to the back.





Hated me so much, the person made sure it went really deep. Past my clear coat and colour all the way into the primer.





Besides pain and anger, I was actually analyzing whether this is deliberate or an accident. A few signs tell that it is an accident. A few more show signs or deliberate vandalism. Couldn't come to a conclusion. But fixing this thing is the main priority now.

So what can be done? Polishing wouldn't do any good since the paint isn't there anymore. I will just have to paint it myself then... Got some Kansai automotive 2k pearl white paint. Slowly, using a toothpick to touchup the scratched area.



From far... It covered the primer but still visible.



A total of 4 coats were applied with a drying time of 12 hours each over a period of 3 days.



The area was then wet sanded down by hand. 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 and finally 2000 grit with ONR QD as lube.



Sanding removes the excess paint over the edges and the new paint is leveled with the original paint.



Compounded with Optimum Hyper Compound on wool pad via rotary. Early sign of gloss...



Proceeded with Hyper Compound on polishing pad; and then polished and finished with Hyper Polish on polishing pad all via rotary. The transition between the new paint and the original paint is now hardly noticeable and it is safe to say that the paint is completely leveled.



Some after pictures... Scratch almost non existent.



The back is even more satisfying.



Under sunlight







Side look.





Of course if one stares hard enough, one will still be able to find traces of it. Found it? Nevertheless this is a significant improvement over the early state. Quite satisfied with it.



See it?



A quick recap of before-after pictures...











Finally, I can sleep. Obviously, the golden rule of "Do unto others what you would like them to do unto you" is not in the minds of these people.

Accident of the day: Sprayed a bit of compound into my eyes

Thank you for viewing another detail of mine...