I got a scratch on the side of my hood thats approx. 8" long. Its not too deep, but deep enough to feel it.

Does anybody have any advise as to what product I could use to get it out? What is good and whats the best way to get it out without paying to get it painted? Any help is appreciated.

 

Harley Davidson markets a scratch and swirl treatment that I've found works well.

 

If it`s deep enough to feel it , you aren`t going to "get it out" with anything. The paint is paper thin and you`ll end up making it worse. You might be able to make it less obvious with a good polish , and maybe some touch-up paint.

Try asking around at some of the local bodyshops or detail shops....we would give you our best opinion/advise if you came by our shop ,probably even try to sand/buff it for you for free.

 

My friend just used colgate tooth paste. He but it on pretty heavy on the scratch and rubbed it in in a small circle motion, and his scratch came out. It is essentially a gentlier rubbing compound.

 

Find a guy that does real buff/wet sand work. Someone who does like show cars. Someone keyed my mom's toyota I belive with a screwdriver all the way around the car 1.5 times and my buffing guy got it out 95%. He busted through in a couple small tiny tiny places and couldn't get it out 100% on a angled part of the hood but it was much better than painting it. He also did my bike that day all around for $80.


Everyone said it would have to be painted, it was deep like snag your nail deep too. His work was incredible.

 

Came back from a hiking trip way out in the bush once and my truck has what appears to be a bullet dent in it.Now thats a mark you need to worry about!!! Just wait till some large dump truck fires a golf ball sized rock at your windshield,got a few of those too,and all those people in parking lots that like to brush the side of your truck with pack buckles and zippers.I thought I read somewheres that Dodge won first prize for the thinnest paint job ever,and I think its on my truck.Sorry for the rant,I know how you feel.

 

Go to the autopia.org web site and ask for help or advice. It is a professional detailer web site(the site is free)and they don't mind giving people advice on problems.
Jay

 

How about Billy Mays' Simoniz Fix It Pro Pen?
Oh, wait...Hey, is it getting hot in here?

I'll get my coat.

 

Depending how deep it is there are two ways. A basic scratch remover and by hand won't get ANYTHING out.

Get a polisher, and a variety of pads and a good compounds, and keep going with the more aggressive one until it gets it out. If you've never done this before, probably wouldn't reccommend it unless you have someone who can show you how to use the polisher. It is tough to damage the paint, but it is possible. This would get it out for the most part depending on the depth. This method would remove any scratch 100% that you cannot feel.

If it's pretty deep you can fill it in with touch up paint until the ridge is gone, one layer a week, then another week after clearcoat before sanding, then a bit of clear coat on it, then sand it, and then polish out the sanding marks. This method will get out any scratch 99% done right.

I currently have one on my tailgate that's threw the paint and primer, and when i'm done, it will be nearly impossible to tell it was there.

It's tough to tell which one is better to go to. However, step 2 you could do with very little money, just buy touch up paint from the dealer, and some clear, do that yourself, and then pay someone to sand it and buff it if you don't feel comfortable with it.

Scratches really suck, i've had one that isn't very deep, but across my whole back door since about a month after buying my truck, I was frigging irate, the person who did it is lucky I didn't catch them.

 

No way, my truck wins! Isn't even painted underneath. Freakin primer on the insides of the panels.
My '01 woulda brought home a thin paint award too. Just had to blend in a repair. About 6 swipes with 1000grit and I was through the clear! Didn't know you could spray it that thin!