bumper scratch(es)/wet sanding question

L

Leonard1818

New member
Hello all! So I finally bucked up and joined the forum in hopes to learn everything I possibly can!



I come to you guys initially with a problem :eek:



yesterday, my girlfriend was taking folding chairs out of the trunk of my brand new Nighthawk black pearl 08 Civic Si and (god love her) dropped one of them with the metal edges against the back bumper/HFP underbody kit.



There are two decent sized "gouges" or scratches. One on the plastic bumper, the other on the plastic HFP underbody/lip kit. She feels awful about it and rather than making her pay the $300-$400 (Hey, she offered...) I'm sure it would cost to re-spray the entire bumper (properly), I offered to try to learn to "repair" it as is.



My disclaimer is that I realize wet sanding is an extremely difficult process. I'd feel much better about it if it were a metal surface but it is not unfortunately. My ultimate goal is not to eliminate the blemish, but to make it look at least 50% better to where I don't HAVE to have the bumper re-sprayed. My concern is that with it being a brand new car and with me always having a good coat of wax on it, it's like a MIRROR. I'm afraid I will not be able to buff out the wet sanding marks to look like the rest of the bumper.



Just this morning I took out some really fine scratch marks (looked like sanding spots!) with scratchX by hand. I was amazed. Other than scratchX, I don't own a rotory or anything so I would like to be able to get rid of any small wetsanding marks by hand using an OTC compound like scratchX. I plan on using factory touch up paint and Meguiars unigrit 3000 grit paper. I may practice wet sanding on her bumper since her car is pretty old and she doesn't care at all like I do.



So now that my novel is 1/2 over, I'll go ahead and put some cliffs:



1. Never wetsanded, can I remove 3000 grit marks with scratchX by hand on a plastic bumper?

2. Should I even attempt this? I'm not looking for perfection by any means but I understand this can be a difficult process. Anyone want to comment on their first time wet sanding/repairing scratches or gouges?

3. Any other general input?



Thanks!



EDIT: I plan on using this thread as a guide:



A small "how-to" on chip repair/wetsanding + spring cleaning (black G35) (56k = owie) - Autopia.org
 
If the scratches are through the paint, down to plastic, you might find the touch up paint will have a problem adhering to bare plastic.





If not down to plastic, just built the paint up in many layers until flush and put a layer of clear on. Or first build up with a filler or primer.



A little trick if you build layers and the paint goes outside the scratch is to use IPA, i use 99%, after the paint has dried for a few hours and rub the excess away. Then a clear coat, a light wetsand and polish. If you don't like the look remove it with Lacquer Thinner.



Wetsanding bumpers can be a little tricky as the paint is usually softer.
 
Thanks for the input man. I'm a bit concerned about all of the things you've mentioned. I was wondering about the touch up paint adhering to the bumper but I think it will only because it always has in the past but I dunno....



I will probably try just prepping the area with wet sanding the scratch (to smooth it out), then apply touch up paint, let it dry for a day or 2, then mask off the scratch and wet sand the touch up paint a bit till it's even with the surrounding paint. Once that's done, I will clean the area and then rub my arm off with scratchX to try to even it out. Again, I don't need 100% perfection where you can't see it, I just want it to be >50% less noticable cause right now, it bugs the crap out of me.



I'm really scared to wet sand on the plastic bumper since the paint seems so damn soft. I think I'm going to practice on a section of my girlfriends car first!



Thanks a ton for your input. I wish I could find someone experienced around me locally so I could just pay them to do it.



Anyway, any other input is greatly appreciated too!
 
OK, So I think I've decided to go ahead with this using Meguiars Unigrit 3000 sand paper, factory touch up paint, and a lot of finger crossing.



I plan to do the following:



1. lightly take the paper to the edges of the scratches to knock down the area where the paint has bunched up.

2. Tape off the area with masking tape as close to the scratch as I can get.

3. Use a toothpick to apply Touch up paint to the scratched area.

4. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours (this will include 8 hours of baking in the direct sun while I'm at work)

5. After it is dry and there are enough layers that it is a smidge above the surrounding paint, I would like to wet sand ONLY the touched up area (with the paper maybe attached to the eraser part of a pencil).

6. Knock this down and try my damndest to not hit any of the pre-painted areas.

7. *****HERE IS MY MAIN ISSUE***** Buff the area with ScratchX.



-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

I don't own a rotory of any kind. Will I be able to remove 3000 grit scratches with elbobw grease, a foam pad, scratchX and a lot of time?
 
Leonard1818 said:
7. *****HERE IS MY MAIN ISSUE***** Buff the area with ScratchX.
Click to expand...



Give Meguiar's 105 a try instead. It finishes down pretty darn well, and works a LOT faster/more aggressive than ScratchX. I would recommend investing $10 in a 12-oz sample.
 
Backer1 said:
Give Meguiar's 105 a try instead. It finishes down pretty darn well, and works a LOT faster/more aggressive than ScratchX. I would recommend investing $10 in a 12-oz sample.
Click to expand...



Hey, thanks for the input. After doing more reading, I've come to that conclusion as well!



Thanks!



Oh and one more thing.... anyone have experience ordering from Auto Detailing Solutions? I'm considering placing an order for several items from them...
 
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