Knife Cut In Paint!

SenojNW

New member
Anyone have any good ideas on how to fix this (attached)?? Very fine cuts (can only been seen close up). Am I looking at full sand back and respray job or could it be touched up? The stuff nearby is clear film...



And yeah - someone else did it :furious: - new car too...



It's in a few places along the front of the bonnet too... not just the corner...
 

Attachments

  • bonnet corner RHS.JPG
    bonnet corner RHS.JPG
    54.7 KB · Views: 599
you could probably get by with spraying a little clear and then blending it all together by wetsanding/compounding/polishing. I don't know if that would get rid of the line though...
 
It appears that your vehicle is silver metallic. I suggest taking it back to the folks who did the clear bra install and ask for a partial refund. Any fix you try could make the damage much more noticeable. Metallics can be a b**** to match. Just keep the area well waxed.



Tom :cool:
 
Thanks!

I'm taking it to a reputable spray shop to get their opinion this morning - I'll check back with the results. Yeah - a refund will be on the cards once I know how much it will cost to repair!



Yes it is metallic silver so blending will be a problem.



Might have to ignore it but I don't really want to!!!
 
OK - my spray shop suggested leaving it the hell alone rather than disturbing the original paint and trying a respray. So - the plan of attack is;



1) Have my spray shop remove the 'clear bra' (should just peel off). I want it removed now because it is sloppy and bubbly around the edges, and makes any waxing/polishing of the cut lines really difficult.

2) Get the spray shop to give the bonnet front edge a really good compound and buff to see if some of the lighter cuts out.

3) Get the spray shop to clean up the edge and then apply some clear coat carefully along the cut for protection.

4) Replace clear bra with a genuine Subaru clear bonnet protector (regular clip-on variety) - that way I won't see the cuts every time I go near the car!



I have asked for a second opinion from these guys http://www.touchupguys.com/ to see if they can disguise it at all.



Any thoughts guys??!!



If we get this sorted I'll be :getdown
 
Is there an easy way to tell how many layers these cuts have gone through? They seem shallow but looking at them they look black...
 
Maybe Langka - what do you guys think? I have'nt heard good things about it but maybe it would suit such a fine cut?
 
Langka can help, but its success will depend on how well the paint matches. In your case with the metallic silver it can be very difficult. Get a factory touch up bottle if you can.



I would ask the guy who installed the clear bra to remove it. This way the scratches and marks can only be blamed on him. You have to worry that he could blame the spray shop for doing some damage, too. (Unless he has already seen the damage and admits it.) This keeps your "case" cleaner.



I would definitely try to compound the knife cuts and perhaps wet sand it with a very flat, stout, but flexible backing material. I like using red and white block pencil erasors. Cuts with a knife blade are a little different than regular scratches. Scratches remove the paint. Cuts cause a "split" in the paint like a "V" shape. The outside edges of the cut are now raised slightly. By pushing hard against the cut and then following up with a careful wet sanding you can flatten the raised edges and make the cut less obvious.



Paint touch up is next. The cut will not hold much paint. First be sure you have the cut cleaned out so it's not "black" as you state. Do this with polishing abrasives. Use a foam applicator only...better than terry covered. After laying in some paint you need to let it cure and then remove any "blob" with Langka or use a polish abrasive and a flat backer wrapped it a smooth material like a piece of bedsheet/pillowcase. A T-Shirt material is almost too thick. Thinner the better. This will keep the abrasive working the high spots only.



I like clear bra a lot and have it on all my cars. Trimming it requires the installer to just scribe the film, not cut through it. He obviously was at fault. But fixing the knife marks best as possible and reinstalling the film properly will likely hide the marks. IMO clear film is a better option than a vinyl bra. The film is on your car 24-7 and doesn't change the looks of your car. Don't give up yet!



:up
 
Thanks Brad. The clear bra installer has seen it and takes responsibility... He is taking it off next week and cleaning up the bonnet. He is also going to get his repairer to give the edge a quick buff and see how well the very fine cuts come out of the clear coat. I have asked them not to attempt any paint work (spraying or by hand) or application of clear coat though.



I washed the car tonight and had a good look at the cuts - some are very fine (you can barely catch your nail in them) so I think that with compounding they might just come out (I'll post some other photos). What do you mean by "red and white block pencil erasors"?? I haven't heard of this before. Only thing to be careful of with the compounding is that the cuts are on the bonnet lip/edge so it would be very easy to work through the clear coat fast.



I'll report back on success after clear bra removal and compounding to see whether any touch up at all is required...



I have ordered an EGR hood shield in 'smoke black' instead of the clear bra - I think it should look pretty good with my black trim and not as grubby as the clear ones. Then if compounding improves the situation but they are still slightly visible they will be covered (it will stop me looking at them!) and I can occasionally remove the shield to keep the area waxed.
 
Some more "before" pics...
 

Attachments

  • DSCN5910e.JPG
    DSCN5910e.JPG
    29.8 KB · Views: 42
  • DSCN5912e.JPG
    DSCN5912e.JPG
    54.1 KB · Views: 30
  • DSCN5913e.JPG
    DSCN5913e.JPG
    23.9 KB · Views: 27
  • DSCN5914e.JPG
    DSCN5914e.JPG
    27.4 KB · Views: 23
OK - I have a good macro on my camera - on closer inspection it unfortunately seems that removal will expose another line... :mad:
 

Attachments

  • DSCN5910c.JPG
    DSCN5910c.JPG
    28.3 KB · Views: 44
  • DSCN5912c.JPG
    DSCN5912c.JPG
    48.1 KB · Views: 31
  • DSCN5913c.JPG
    DSCN5913c.JPG
    34.5 KB · Views: 29
Wow, the cuts are awful. I certainly wouldn't recommend that installer to anyone. He should learn how to handle a knife properly.



I hope the polishing helps the situation.



By block erasor I mean a pencil erasor that comes in a small rectangular block. I get them at my local art supply store. They come in different types of rubber. Some are stiff and pretty hard (red/pink in color) and some are more soft and bendable. (white) These make great backing for wet/dry sandpaper (1500 grit).
 
Yes - not impressed. The shots above are highly magnified macros - you really can't see them when standing next to the car, and most barely catch your fingernail (the two corners are the worst). Thats not the point though - I know they are there!!!



Once it is all cleaned up I will give the compounding a go myself and report back...
 
There are many different abrasives and you should start with the one which is least aggressive first. I would suggest you use a swirl remover first then work up to more abrasive types. I'm not sure what products you have available.



Be sure to use a pure foam applicator and rub in one direction for best results. Polish off with a good microfiber.
 
Back
Top