2005 GTO - Clear bra took a spot of paint off. Let`s fix it.

[Blue By You]

Hey all,



Long time lurker, but just registered. I picked up a midnight blue metallic 2005 GTO a couple months back in amazing condition, but the front bumper and about 12" of the hood and fenders had a clear bra on it that was starting to look weathered around the edges. I get through the bumper, fenders, and mirrors without a hitch, but the leading edge of the hood left me with a large (1" x 3/4") area where the paint was lifted off, despite my efforts to save it when I saw it going. I used a heat gun and was patient, but maybe this was a prior touch up spot where the adhesion just wasn`t there. Dunno.



At some point, I`d like to buy a flat hood from a 2004 and have it painted, since midnight blue was `05 only. The `05 and `06 GTOs came with the factory hood scoops, while the `04 did not, and I feel the scoops are tacky. That said, I`m not ready to spend that money quite yet, and I`d like to get this hood looking as good as possible in the meantime.



I`m looking for input on the best way to go. I know the only true fix for this is a respray, but I`m hoping to get it to the point where a casual observer won`t see it unless I point it out and they search for it. I`ll be doing any of the work by hand...I don`t currently have a machine buffer or DA.



Here`s what we`re dealing with... Pardon the filthy car. It`s a DD and due for a bath.



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5526635658_2f01e54e74_b.jpg



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5526635252_e0e6fb4004_b.jpg



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5526041605_0442bb6ba5_b.jpg





Here`s what the rest of her looks like. (With a fixed hood, thanks to PhotoShop!)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5459397808_1e42636549_b.jpg

[Marc Hufnagel]

Wanted one of those sooo bad.

[BluBrett]

That really is in awesome condition and I agree with the `04 hood.



All you can really do is buy some touch up paint and, if you`d like, touch up clear coat. Feather it out and compound/polish it until it blends nicely with the rest of the paint. The color you have should be fairly easy to touch up. Or if you want to spend more, you could go have it professionally touched up. I know someone who owns a touch-up paint business on Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz property and he charges an average of $40 per area. He had to touch up a 4x6 area on his own E55 AMG and I honestly can`t tell where it was any more. Good luck!

[Dr. Woo]

Hate to link to another forum for something so suited for Autopia, but on G8Board someone posted a quick how-to for fixing paint chips. It might help you out.



DIY Paint Chip Repair with Pics - Pontiac G8 Forum: G8 Forums - G8Board.com (http://www.g8board.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34262)

[Blue By You]

Thanks for the help guys. The G8 looked pretty good when he got done. That`s kind of the route that I was thinking, but I`m not sure about clear. How would a rattle can clear coat blend in with the factory stuff on the rest of the hood? I suppose its also about the sanding.



On another note, what am I looking at where the chip is? To me, it looks like primer or gel coat, but I really have no idea.

[gtochris]

Not sure where you are from, but I have my stock GTO hood sitting in the basement as I went to an 05/06 hood on my 04.



If your interested I`m in NJ. Send me a PM.

[6']['9]

lookls like glue to me.