Small gouge caused by cutting disc
Discussion
I'm a numpty. I had to use a dremel and cutting disc to remove a rusted bolt on my door mirror and just caught the edge on the door paintwork. The result is a 10mm long 1mm wide deep scratch. It goes through the paint and slightly into the metal itself. Right next to it is also a small dent that looks like a screwdriver impact so I speculate that a previous owner had similar problems removing said bolt!
So I'd like to do some sort of DIY repair to both areas. I think the size of them means that the repair doesn't necessarily have to be perfect but I see it as good practice so would like to hone my technique. Also important to prevent future rust.
So what's my best approach in terms of filling and painting?
I have a DA polisher if it helps.
Should also mention that the car is a Mk1 MX5 in green. I think I'm right in saying that this type of paint does not have clear coat.
So I'd like to do some sort of DIY repair to both areas. I think the size of them means that the repair doesn't necessarily have to be perfect but I see it as good practice so would like to hone my technique. Also important to prevent future rust.
So what's my best approach in terms of filling and painting?
I have a DA polisher if it helps.
Should also mention that the car is a Mk1 MX5 in green. I think I'm right in saying that this type of paint does not have clear coat.
I had slight success with my issue..
Some well educated person decided to walk down both sides of my car with a key. You could see the length of stride as the line bobbed up and down.
Trip to a Halfords got me a bottle of the "correct" paint, I used the smallest brush I could find, but also had decent luck with a toothpick, and painted the line in. It took a couple of layers, but filled it in slightly proud. Sanded back using a fine sanding block (Meguiar's 2000 grit), followed by some mega fine wet and dry, followed by some T-cut.
That line is now the colour the car used to be before the rest of the paint faded, and is fairly visible.
I then put the car into a barbed wire fence and a ditch so that my eye was not drawn to that keying - not recommended.
Some well educated person decided to walk down both sides of my car with a key. You could see the length of stride as the line bobbed up and down.
Trip to a Halfords got me a bottle of the "correct" paint, I used the smallest brush I could find, but also had decent luck with a toothpick, and painted the line in. It took a couple of layers, but filled it in slightly proud. Sanded back using a fine sanding block (Meguiar's 2000 grit), followed by some mega fine wet and dry, followed by some T-cut.
That line is now the colour the car used to be before the rest of the paint faded, and is fairly visible.
I then put the car into a barbed wire fence and a ditch so that my eye was not drawn to that keying - not recommended.
Peanut Gallery said:
I had slight success with my issue..
Some well educated person decided to walk down both sides of my car with a key. You could see the length of stride as the line bobbed up and down.
Trip to a Halfords got me a bottle of the "correct" paint, I used the smallest brush I could find, but also had decent luck with a toothpick, and painted the line in. It took a couple of layers, but filled it in slightly proud. Sanded back using a fine sanding block (Meguiar's 2000 grit), followed by some mega fine wet and dry, followed by some T-cut.
That line is now the colour the car used to be before the rest of the paint faded, and is fairly visible.
I then put the car into a barbed wire fence and a ditch so that my eye was not drawn to that keying - not recommended.
Ouch! Some well educated person decided to walk down both sides of my car with a key. You could see the length of stride as the line bobbed up and down.
Trip to a Halfords got me a bottle of the "correct" paint, I used the smallest brush I could find, but also had decent luck with a toothpick, and painted the line in. It took a couple of layers, but filled it in slightly proud. Sanded back using a fine sanding block (Meguiar's 2000 grit), followed by some mega fine wet and dry, followed by some T-cut.
That line is now the colour the car used to be before the rest of the paint faded, and is fairly visible.
I then put the car into a barbed wire fence and a ditch so that my eye was not drawn to that keying - not recommended.
Thanks for this. I think I might get away with this sort of approach on such a small area. Did you use any primer or lacquer?
Gad-Westy said:
Did you use any primer or lacquer?
I hoped the scratch had not made it to metal, so I did not, however if you wish you could spray a small amount of primer into a cap and then use a toothpick to paint the car.I have not used lacquer on these key marks, to do so I would have to sand it back to below the level of the paint, or lacquer a larger area and blend it in.
(yes, it is still visible, however I now have to look for the mark rather than have the mark jump out at me - and SWMBO is steadily adding to the marks - and good old tin worm is making an appearance.)
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