AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! Big noob mistake.

Toy_Cam_Ed

Toy_Cam_Ed

Buffed out
After doing much reading and watching videos, I decided to take it upon myself to fix a couple "problem" areas on my hood. The first areas I tackled were where the clear coat had chipped off leaving the paint intact. No problem, just brush clear into it, let dry, and carefully wet sand flush with existing clear. Then rub out of course. Came out beautifully. Proud of myself on that one, considering it was my first time.



On to the next thing. I had a scratch that looked like it was done with a razor blade about 1 1/2" long and pretty deep. So I fill it with clear and let dry. I proceed to wet sand again, wipe clean, and holy crap, I went too deep and now there is a "bruise" just below the scratch that won't rub out, because it's already rubbed out too much. The bruise is about 1/2" x 1/2" right smack dab in the middle of the hood.. I freaked out in disgust. I still literally feel sick to my stomach. (my friend said I need therapy to get over it because most people wouldn't notice it at first glance)



It's just that I've spent countless hours rubbing it out, getting it that much closer to perfection, only to have this happen. What is my best course of action? Should I have the whole hood repainted? (after I save up for it) Can I have just that area repainted? (I realize color matching may be an issue here) Help me, I'm freaking out. And no, I won't go to therapy ;)
 
longsdetailing said:
That's the problem with watching vids on sanding. But can you post up a few pics so we can see this "bruise" you're talking about?
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I'll try to get some in the morn...when I wake up. I'm thinking it may have been a thin spot, since I did the same thing on the scratch as I did on the other defects.
 
Is your paint metallic? I am assuming it is writing this. If so, you're probably looking at a respray of the entire hood. We really need to see a pic, but by "bruise" I'm assuming you mean the color of the paint changed shades slightly?



This is very common, especially when you are first learning how to wetsand. As you were sanding the high spot of the touch up clear, You went through the clear in that spot and then sanded into the base coat and altered the depth of the metallic flakes. Any time you alter the metallic flakes, the light will then be reflected off them differently causing the paint to turn a different shade of color. Only real fix for this is a respray. Again this is assuming your paint is metallic or pearl and not a solid color.
 
longsdetailing said:
That's the problem with watching vids on sanding. But can you post up a few pics so we can see this "bruise" you're talking about?
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Agreed.



Sorry for what happened but threads like this come up all to often. It's also why I hate seeing DIY articles on scratch/chip repair as it gives inexperienced users the confidence to try fixing these areas and it often ends up with the same result you just had. :(
 
I decided to just get the whole hood repainted. It will cost about $200 bucks, but oh well. At least that deep scratch and all other little imperfections will be gone. And I'll be one step closer to a perfect car.
 
Buffer_Wannabe said:
I decided to just get the whole hood repainted. It will cost about $200 bucks, but oh well. At least that deep scratch and all other little imperfections will be gone. And I'll be one step closer to a perfect car.
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does that include sanding off the current paint, spraying new primer, base and clear?
 
If you're already getting your oodreainted you might as well use the hood go "practice."



Try different products, techniques, try fixing other problems on it etc.



I don't know about out but the only way I learn things is by Doing it myself.
 
brownbob06 said:
If you're already getting your oodreainted you might as well use the hood go "practice."



Try different products, techniques, try fixing other problems on it etc.



I don't know about out but the only way I learn things is by Doing it myself.
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I agree, if you have time before the repaint, go to town on it. Put some scratches in it and practice with the wetsanding. Best way to learn is to make mistakes and this gives you the opportunity to make all the mistakes you can.
 
Buffer_Wannabe said:
I decided to just get the whole hood repainted. It will cost about $200 bucks, but oh well. At least that deep scratch and all other little imperfections will be gone. And I'll be one step closer to a perfect car.
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That seem VERY low for a hood repaint....where you taking it?
 
RaskyR1 said:
That seem VERY low for a hood repaint....where you taking it?
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I got that quote from Maaco. Yeah, I know. Go ahead and rail on me.



But after thinking about it, I might just put racing stripes on the hood and of course the roof and trunk. It will save me a lot of money. Does that sound like a better idea?
 
I won't "rail" on you.

It's a 98, it's got a lot of miles, it's a daily transportation driver, why spend bunches of money on a car that is worth, what $3,500 to $4,000 at tops?

Put the money in an account, each month, build it up and go buy something else in a year or two with what you have put away.

Make it acceptable to you and don't worry about what others may think, it ain't their money, or their car.

Grumpy
 
I'd grab an airbrush from Harbor Freight, practice on some garbage cans first, then try to blend in your spot. Whatever you do, avoid Maaco, they will make it worse.
 
Ron Ketcham said:
I won't "rail" on you.

It's a 98, it's got a lot of miles, it's a daily transportation driver, why spend bunches of money on a car that is worth, what $3,500 to $4,000 at tops?

Put the money in an account, each month, build it up and go buy something else in a year or two with what you have put away.

Make it acceptable to you and don't worry about what others may think, it ain't their money, or their car.

Grumpy
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You might want to click the link in my sig and check it out. It's only got 43,000 miles on it, and is basically like a new car. The bluebook value on it was over $6,000. (I paid $5,000) I plan on keeping it for many years. So to me, it's worth making as perfect as possible.
 
I would rather see you just touch it up and live with it before seeing you go to Maaco. If you put racing stripes on it you can also kiss your resale value goodbye.



My advice would be to just touch it up for now and save your money for a proper repaint. You should be able to find a reputable shop to do it properly for about $500-800.
 
brownbob06 said:
If you're already getting your oodreainted you might as well use the hood go "practice."



Try different products, techniques, try fixing other problems on it etc.



I don't know about out but the only way I learn things is by Doing it myself.
Click to expand...



You can only learn theory from study and research; but experience comes from actualy doing it ...
 
Then do what you feel is right, especially since you plan on keeping it for a few years.

It's your decision as to how far you go.

Grumpy
 
Yeah, after doing some research into maaco, I definitely won't be going there. I've decided to save up for a while and find a good body shop to go to. Thanks, and as always you guys are the best.
 
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