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      04-24-2019, 04:46 PM   #1
henrybmwbmw
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fix scratch

I hit on a traffic cone this morning and got some scratches on my left front bumper (as attached pictures). May I ask any idea are these scratches deep or light? Do I have to go bodyshop to fix them? or I can fix by myself? If fixing by myself, is there any instruction recommended? like what tools I should purchase? I really appreciate for giving me any ideas.
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      04-24-2019, 04:49 PM   #2
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Can you feel them with your thumbnail? Have you tried a polishing compound, very fine, and rubbing them a bit? May just be on the surface.

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      04-24-2019, 04:57 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gbtr6 View Post
Can you feel them with your thumbnail? Have you tried a polishing compound, very fine, and rubbing them a bit? May just be on the surface.

Perry
Thanks for your reply. My friend recommended using Turtle wax polishing compound too. First, I think I should wash off the dirt on the surface to see the scratches.
Except polishing compound, should I try anything else too? like scratch remover?
Thanks again
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      04-24-2019, 05:02 PM   #4
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One thing that works, temporarily, is a colored wax. My wife has a Black Z4, and there are minor scratches on it. Go black Turtle Wax, I think was the brand, and they do disappear. Like i said, temporarily. You could ask a body shop how much it would be to buff them out too. 3M makes a nice scratch/swirl remover. Very mild.

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      04-24-2019, 05:05 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henrybmwbmw View Post
Thanks for your reply. My friend recommended using Turtle wax polishing compound too. First, I think I should wash off the dirt on the surface to see the scratches.
Except polishing compound, should I try anything else too? like scratch remover?
Thanks again
Wash off the dirt and paint then you will see how bad the scratches are. A polishing compound should remove most of the lighter scratches.
You won't be able to remove all the deeper scratches but with your car being white, it should make them less visible. I wouldn't use anything too abrasive.
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      04-24-2019, 05:56 PM   #6
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If you have a decent relationship with a body shop in town I'd stop by there before you do anything. I had something similar once and they buffed the hell out of the thing for 2 minutes and it was like nothing happened.

They'll either be able to fix it in no time for nothing or they'll tell you it's going to need real repair. Either way no harm in having them check it out.
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      04-24-2019, 06:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingmonkey8 View Post
Wash off the dirt and paint then you will see how bad the scratches are. A polishing compound should remove most of the lighter scratches.
You won't be able to remove all the deeper scratches but with your car being white, it should make them less visible. I wouldn't use anything too abrasive.
Thank you very much for your advice.
I plan to use Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit to remove surface contaminants. Then using polishing compound after that. May I ask do you have any recommended video or instruction that I can follow?
Thank you very much.
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      04-24-2019, 06:05 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
If you have a decent relationship with a body shop in town I'd stop by there before you do anything. I had something similar once and they buffed the hell out of the thing for 2 minutes and it was like nothing happened.

They'll either be able to fix it in no time for nothing or they'll tell you it's going to need real repair. Either way no harm in having them check it out.
Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in bodyshop. I went to a bodyshop and had the front guy checked. He estimated it cost 1500-2000 CAD to fix this. It was unbelievable.
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      04-24-2019, 06:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henrybmwbmw View Post
Thank you very much for your advice.
I plan to use Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit to remove surface contaminants. Then using polishing compound after that. May I ask do you have any recommended video or instruction that I can follow?
Thank you very much.
Just apply as if you were waxing the car, work in circular motions around the scratched area. You don't need to use too much force. Then buff to a shine. But don't expect to remove all the scratches. Just get it to an acceptable level. The compound will polish out the scratches in the clear coat but not where paint have been removed.

Judging by your photos you should be able to get most of it out around the headlight and wheel arch. But there is a deep scratch below the fog light that probably won't completely polish out but should clean up so it's less visible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQpliqlKTTU

Last edited by kingmonkey8; 04-24-2019 at 06:43 PM..
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      04-24-2019, 06:41 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingmonkey8 View Post
Just apply as if you were waxing the car, work in circular motions around the scratched area. You don't need to use too much force. Then buff to a shine. But don't expect to remove all the scratches. Just get it to an acceptable level. The compound will polish out the scratches in the clear coat but not where paint have been removed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQpliqlKTTU
Thank you very much!
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      04-24-2019, 11:16 PM   #11
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Not that you'll probably do any more damage, but be very careful with polishing compounds. It's basically like liquid sandpaper and you can rub off your clear coat and start damaging the paint underneath.
Sucks, though... Hope you can get it fixed to your liking soon and cheap.
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      04-25-2019, 03:31 AM   #12
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to me , this is just a paint transfer. Might be a dent somewhere but couldn't tell without feeling it.

However, you could possibly remove the scratch by following this video

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      04-25-2019, 05:42 AM   #13
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Try a magic eraser. I was very surprised at how many imperfections/surface scratches it removed on my car.
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      04-25-2019, 06:08 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fliplegend View Post
Try a magic eraser. I was very surprised at how many imperfections/surface scratches it removed on my car.
Agreed. They work great, but since it's still an abrasive, polishing is a must afterwards
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      04-25-2019, 06:46 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ooshnoo View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fliplegend View Post
Try a magic eraser. I was very surprised at how many imperfections/surface scratches it removed on my car.
Agreed. They work great, but since it's still an abrasive, polishing is a must afterwards
Please DO NOT use a magic eraser on your paint. It's not meant for paint surfaces. A compound and light polish will probably remove 90% of that in minutes if not all of it. Wash the area first.

Or call any reputable professional detailer.
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      04-25-2019, 07:54 AM   #16
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Sonax makes a magic eraser specifically for cars. They call it a dirt eraser sponge but it gets rid of scratches too. I should have been more specific.
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      04-25-2019, 11:18 AM   #17
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Always start with methods which cause the least damage to your paint. I would start myself first with Autoglym Super Resin Polish which is just basically a very mildly abrasive wax. If that does not remove all the marks then use compound which is a bit more abrasive. The more abrasive methods you need to use then more you have to polish in the end to fix the dullness that they leave behind.

Clay is good at removing small stuck particles from otherwise ok paint, I doubt it works well for you as the first method.
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      04-25-2019, 12:25 PM   #18
henrybmwbmw
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I really appreciate you guys for giving me so many good advice. I tried use the turtle polish compound yesterday to polish two places about 10mins each. And the scratches of these two places became less visible. Should I use another wax product to wax places after I polished them?
I think the only paint transfer is that blue paint, maybe I should try magic eraser? I couldn't polish that blue paint.
Thanks again
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      04-25-2019, 03:57 PM   #19
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Turtle Wax Polish won't remove that. Use Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound, followed by polish, then wax or seal with whatever you use for the rest of the car.
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      04-25-2019, 06:06 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Turtle Wax Polish won't remove that. Use Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound, followed by polish, then wax or seal with whatever you use for the rest of the car.
Thank you very much your reply.
You said won't remove that, did you mean wax polish won't remove paint transfer? I have to use rubbing compound?

I saw so many youtube videos talking about using WD-40 and magic eraser to remove paint transfer, but I also saw some comments saying magic eraser is harmful to car paint. I am not sure should I use magic eraser.
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      04-25-2019, 06:40 PM   #21
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I use Mostenbockers "Lift-Off" paint remover to get rid of any transferred paint.

Then I would touch it up if needed, then use my dual action polisher to hit it with Meguiars ultimate compound, followed by a polish and then finally some sort of sealant.
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      04-25-2019, 09:26 PM   #22
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I don't know what magic eraser is. I have done body work for 40 years. If the rubbing compound doesn't work I'll tell you what to try next, but if there's no need to go to a more aggressive method then I don't want to even mention it.
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