Need your experienced input - 2015 Mustang GT scratches - Help!

mustanggt2015

New member
Hi guys,

My 2015 Mustang GT was torpedoed by a surfboard on the highway, and I'd really like to avoid having it painted, so I am hoping you can offer some advice.

With your experience, you might be able to tell better than me, but it looks like it was only the clearcoat that got scratched and not the paint beneath. I'd like to see if it can be buffed out instead of painted. I also need to see if I can have the creased dent fixed with paintless dent repair but that's for later.

I have a PC 7424, an SFX-1 pad, an SFX-3 pad and Zaino Z2 and Z5. Would any of this be of use? I would probably need something a bit more abrasive than Zaino Z5 - maybe 2000 grit sand paper, Scratch X 2.0 or?

How would you go about repairing this? Any ideas welcome.

Thanks!
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Looks like paint trasnsfer to me. I would get someone with some experience polishing it out. if you have it, great if not, get someone. Post your location and you will be directed.

I think I would try some finishing polish on a uber mint green polish pad, and use medium pressure. Once it looks good do another pass with less pressure to clean up and haze. Apply your wax or sealant of choice.
 
Id say the same thing, paint transfer. Most times you can get it off with a good cleaner wax. Meguiar's makes some that can be sourced locally or here. I am not familiar with the Z products.
 
Try the least aggressive first, step up if needed.
"CHOOSE THE RIGHT ZAINO POLISH FOR YOUR VEHICLE'S PAINT
Z-2 PRO™ Show Car Polish is for paint with a clear coat finish—virtually all modern cars.
Z-3™ Show Car Polish is for paint without a clear coat—vintage cars, special aftermarket paint, etc.
Z-5 PRO™ Show Car Polish is just like Z-2, but helps hide swirls and micro scratches in dark color paint."
Pads:
We recommend these pads for the experienced detailer or serious enthusiast who have practice using the Porter Cable Dual-Action Polisher .
· Sonüs SFX-1 Swirl and Scratch Removal Pad - Safely removes oxidation, scratches, water spot etching and heavy swirl marks from neglected paint.
· Sonüs SFX-2 Paint Polishing Pad - Removes light swirl marks, light oxidation and finish marring while enhancing gloss
· Sonüs SFX-3 Final Finish & Wax Pad - Use with your favorite pre-wax cleaner to bring out the finial finish before waxing.

Looks like you have everything you need to polish out.
 
Thanks for your feedback everyone.

I tried removing the marks today with the Z5 Pro, but it wasn't aggressive enough, so I went and got Meguiars ScratchX 2.0 and started up the PC 7424 with an SFX-1 pad. As you can tell from the pictures, I think I got most of it. There was a slight haze after after I was done, but it's foggy today so it is difficult to spot. I'm thinking maybe the Zaino Z5 swirl remover will make it shiny again and then a coat of Z2?

Now I just need to find a reputable paintless dent repair guy in the Orlando area (the dent is quite long a visible in the photos).


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Make sure your PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) guy went to a School, and has years even decades of experience if possible..

If he/she can get under your headliner to access that crease and its not too deep and stretched the metal too much, it is possible to make that go away completely..
But this person will have to be really good AND experienced..

Someday, you might share how you got torpedoed by a Surfboard in the first place... :)
All the years I have lived on the West Coast, I have never heard of that or seen that happen.. :)

Good Luck - your correction work looks great !
Dan F
 
mustanggt2015- Welcome to Autopia! AFAIK, Z5 isn't really a "swirl remover" in that it's functionally nonabrasive. If there's still some correction to be done I'd stick with the ScratchX. (Somebody please school me if I'm wrong about the Z%...)
 
I appreciate all your positive comments. Coming from experts like you, it means a lot and I've been bragging all night to my wife:notme:.

I got a couple of PDR guys with very good reviews and experience in mind. I hope the one I choose is as good as he sounds, as I'd be ecstatic if I can skip having any Bondo and painting done to my car.

Dan since you asked, I'll tell you what happened. It's not that riveting of a story. I just got on the highway. The traffic was heavy and moving at approx. 55mph. All of a sudden I notice the tip of a surfboard on another car in the right lane starting to move up and back down. I just had time to think "that's not secured pr...." When two surfboards came flying off his roof rack heading straight towards me. I couldn't brake or swerve hard due to the amount of traffic. One board flew over my car and the other one hit my windshield hard, right in front of my face and made an indentation shattering my windshield.
 

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I appreciate all your positive comments. Coming from experts like you, it means a lot and I've been bragging all night to my wife:notme:.

I got a couple of PDR guys with very good reviews and experience in mind. I hope the one I choose is as good as he sounds, as I'd be ecstatic if I can skip having any Bondo and painting done to my car.

Dan since you asked, I'll tell you what happened. It's not that riveting of a story. I just got on the highway. The traffic was heavy and moving at approx. 55mph. All of a sudden I notice the tip of a surfboard on another car in the right lane starting to move up and back down. I just had time to think "that's not secured pr...." When two surfboards came flying off his roof rack heading straight towards me. I couldn't brake or swerve hard due to the amount of traffic. One board flew over my car and the other one hit my windshield hard, right in front of my face and made an indentation shattering my windshield.

Oh, wow - I am so glad that you got through that Nightmare ok, except for your car..
Things flying at speed toward you while you are going at speed have to be just horrible..

Hope that his insurance is going to make this all right for you..
If this is the plan, then please don't sign anything releasing him from liability until you are absolutely satisfied with all the repairs...

Especially if there is anything that happened to you or your passengers as a result of that dang thing hitting your glass...

So sorry this had to happen to you..
Dan F
 
Dan, good advice and I am thankful the damage was only on the car :). Fortunately the other driver stopped, so his insurance is paying for the repair. I am planning on having the car back to normal by end of next week.
 
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