Getting a scratch out

Well I was asked to put up a couple of C&B's finally of my work. So since I ahven't done anything yet this season (gotta love Michigan weather) I went back through a few things I did last season. Now mind you I'm not a photographer I just bought a new DSLR camera and TH0001 is helping me learn how to use the thing (Thanks Todd!) But these were all shot with my cheap POS P&S Kodak so bear with me on it.





The story on this one goes alady came in looking to trade her SUV in.I went out and did the inspection and saw this scratch..... Good friggin lord! it was all the way down to the metal and rather wide. She informed me that she already had a body shop look at it and they were saying it was a total repaint on the door and would be about $1500. She told me not to worry about it and just do what I could. Well first off I took that as a challenge to really see what I could do. and secondly $1500 for just a door??!! Knowing the area I'm from that sounded like highway robbery. So I snapped the before pic.



bigscratch1.jpg




As you can see it's long and deep. And since she was considering just getting it repainted I figured what the hell... No harm no foul if I can't get it all out right?



So I start the fill in process.Layer after layer of paint because I didn't have any body filler available (which would've made this one a lot easier)



bigscratch2.jpg




I took my heat gun to speed up the drying time on it between layers and once I got the layers thick enough I started the wetsanding process. I started my rough sanding with 1000 grit then moved on 1200, 1500 and feathered it out with 2500.



bigscratch3.jpg




I was going to go all the way to 3000 grit but after inspection from the 2500 I realized I just didn't need that extra step.



bigscratch4.jpg




After the sanding was done I got out the compound and polish. I started out with Sythetic cut with a finish wool cut. ( I don't use the compound wool unless I have severe oxidation or I'm working on a boat) Did a couple passes with that until it was leveled like I wanted it. Then i switched over to my Megs 85 with the same type of pad. Once I took it as far as I could with the wool I switched over to my foam. Another pass with 85 with the foam leveled it out even more. I'm not postive if I used some XMT at this stage or not but I know I finished up with Ultrafina SE.



bigscratch5.jpg




When the lady came back to pick up the truck she couldn't believe the results of me "doing what I can" LOL It was much cheaper than the $1500 she got quoted.. About 10 times cheaper... But it was fun for me. I like pushing the limits of what I've done before. I've fixed scratches but nothing this deep or long. Considering I do mostly interiors I thought this was a fun time on the paint that I never seem to get to work with on this type of level. Needless to say I made a repeat client out of her and her family because of this. They bought a new Jeep Commander that I've done twice now.
 
NICE Job, it's a great feeling to know that you saved a customer that much money and "wowed" them at the same time.... That work is the best word of mouth business
 
Yea the 2 daughters are in college and both came to me when they were home. They want me to do their Z06 this spring when the they get it back out. So I have to say the little bit extra on my part must've made a pretty decent impression on them.
 
Dayum, that's amazing. The body shop guys are gonna hate you!



(Can you still see the scratch?)
 
You know.. Other scratches I've done that weren't even this bad I could still see hints in the right angle of them being there. But this one was completly gone when I was finish.. You ever do something and then look at it and say "Dang did I just do that?" LOL this was one of those moments.
 
I like and appreciate your work!!!



My biggest fear when wet sanding is going through the clear!



EXCELLENT WORK...



This now gives me some good tips for repairing scratches!!!:chuckle::chuckle::chuckle:
 
Damn that's nice work,really good. I'd like to ask a very novice question as I haven't attempted this yet but will very soon. How do you match up the paint colour so expertly? I'm guessing you need to know the exact paint code when getting touch-up paint. Where do I find that info?
 
On the domestic vehicles the Paint code is listed somewhere. Usually the glovebox the door or the trunk. On GM vehicles it's the last line. Usually starts with a "U" then you just take that code and go to the counter. Tell them the name and make of the vehicle and then give them the paint code and it's perfect match every time.
 
yea I just got done uploading literally hundreds and hundreds of more pics to my photobucket site. It was really only a fraction of what I had but I think they were the only ones with enough pics to actually do a few write ups on. I really am bad for only taking a couple before and after pics and I hardly ever take process pics. So bear with me why I write up a few of these things. Hopefully I can write up a few more "How too's" to help out fellow members here as well.
 
Just picked up the Sony Alpha a 300. Not bad for an entry level. Much better than my Kodak i had. Todd gave me a few pointers on getting fine details. But even in Auto mode it picks up a 1000x more detail than my old camera. Should be a fun season this year.
 
Hey jake when filling in the scratches did you use a clear coat too?



I have a couple scratches on my 06 GP's bumper and was thinking of trying the same thing. There not as long and I do not think they have gone under the clear coat.



You think its something that a novice could mess up fairly easily?



After the sanding process will Turtle Wax w/Carnauba (Paste), Liquid Ice Polish, Turtle Wax rubbing compound be sufficient to bring back the shine?



What is Sythetic cut with a finish wool cut?



New to the forum sorry for all the Q's.
 
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