Ahh cack. Pearlescent paint touchup/repair .. advice please!

[winters]

Hi guys,

Much to my annoyance I've picked up a slight scratch in the front of my bonnet - from something a bit sharp - damage is about a finger nail's area. It's not deep but looks like a couple of layers of paint, or similar, have been scratched and its just through to/into fibreglass in the middle.

I'm a bit clueless with paint jobs. Can this be sorted out with some patient touch up work? If so, any advice? Is it worth using filler/stopper stuff I've read about or just more paint? And does the technique of paint, fine/wet sand flat, then polish work on pearl paints too - or do I risk making it worse? It's a light colour and I already have the paint - though it's a little gloopy. Can I just add a drop of thinners?

Also how about the pros? Do they touch this sort of work (or only larger jobs) and if so how much is it likely to cost?

Sorry lots of questions there.

Thanks again!

[greenm]

Hi not a car paint man but know about boats firberglass ect. Unless its really into the glass then leave it. you could get some of the clear two pack epoxy comes in the litle tubes. Mix a small amount and with a matchstick dribble a litle into the centre of the hole alowing it to spread evenly but a little below the last paint layer. Hopefully its on the flat? If not drop a little in then put clear tape over the top to keep it level untill hardened. Once hard you would use a tiny bit of wet/dry sandpaper to take any shine of plus smooth the edges of the damaged paint. Once done and clean and dry again use your gloopy paint if its a good match and with a fine brush fill in the small hole till level, this may take a few coats and does not matter id its a little proud. If you are confident you can then again with the very fine 1200 wet/dry paper rub the erea gently untill smooth and then polish with t/cut, fine untill smooth then buff and polish. Should get a good match if the paint is close but the main thing is to seal the hole to stop water getting in to the glass or under tha paint? Hope that helps!!

[shake n bake]

your post doesn't inspire confidence to be honest, i think the best advice for you would be to thin your paint down a little, then just touch up the mark and forget about it :-) if it still bothers you, have the nose painted professionally.

[greenm]

was not meant to inspire confidence but give advice to someone who required it and not just bodge it up with some paint in the hole? anyone with any skills can do a good repair following the above or spend hundreds to get it done in a shop?

[LordGrover]

A photo may help ...

[shake n bake]

greenm said:

was not meant to inspire confidence but give advice to someone who required it and not just bodge it up with some paint in the hole? anyone with any skills can do a good repair following the above or spend hundreds to get it done in a shop?

not you, the O.P! your advice is perfect, however i feel for a small scratch and a pearlescent paint, it could turn into a nightmare.

[pringli]

shake n bake said:

greenm said:

was not meant to inspire confidence but give advice to someone who required it and not just bodge it up with some paint in the hole? anyone with any skills can do a good repair following the above or spend hundreds to get it done in a shop?

not you, the O.P! your advice is perfect, however i feel for a small scratch and a pearlescent paint, it could turn into a nightmare.

Likewise, it may be worth getting Chipsaway or the like to have a look and advise whether it can be done. Anyone used them for pearlescent?

[V8 GRF]

Not a fan of chipsaway or any such service. They're OK to begin with but after 9 months the repair on my Peugeot went matt and chipped wven worse than the original paint and I've seen and heard similar stories from other people. Ok for a touch up on a eurobox but I'd rather get a quote from a paintshop, you might be surprised at how reasonable they can be and they'll make you a touchup stick while they're at it usually.

[pringli]

cheers David

[winters]

Thanks for all the replies - some useful info there. Since it's not too ugly at the moment I'll try to carefully touch it up - being careful not to widen the affected area. At least this will seal it and stop any spread. If it doesn't look too bad I'll leave it for the time being while I get some quotes from body shops. I'm hoping if it comes to a front-end/bonnet respray sourcing the paint or matching it won't be too much of an issue. It's 'Wild Oyster Pearlescent' if anyone has any info. Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers.