Fix paint scratches and chips Toyota Corolla (pics)
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Fix paint scratches and chips Toyota Corolla (pics)
Hi there.
Does anyone have any advice on the best DIY method to fix up these dings and scratches. The scratches do not seem too deep (my fingernail does not catch on them) and there is no denting but I am not sure what the black material is... is it the primer color or is it scratched down to the metal.. its a 2010 Toyota Corolla.
Any pointers will be appreciated. I was looking at paintscratch and drcolorchip. Has anybody used these products.
Pictures show one such scratch. There are others. Excuse the dirt in the close-up!
Thank you for your time.
Does anyone have any advice on the best DIY method to fix up these dings and scratches. The scratches do not seem too deep (my fingernail does not catch on them) and there is no denting but I am not sure what the black material is... is it the primer color or is it scratched down to the metal.. its a 2010 Toyota Corolla.
Any pointers will be appreciated. I was looking at paintscratch and drcolorchip. Has anybody used these products.
Pictures show one such scratch. There are others. Excuse the dirt in the close-up!
Thank you for your time.
#2
Forum Topic Moderator
The black is likely the plastic that the bumper is made of. You have 2 choices; either sand it down, [prime as needed] and spray paint the whole bumper or take one of those touch up bottles and brush just the damaged area. A clean rag can be helpful for removing any excess paint around the edges.
The close up looks like a hole but I assume it's not
The close up looks like a hole but I assume it's not
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks marksr. No, I can assure you its not a hole!
It definitely could be the plastic bumper... I certainly do not want to spray paint the whole bumper... both the companies that I mentioned in my first post sell repair kits... hopefully someone with experience with them will chip in....
It definitely could be the plastic bumper... I certainly do not want to spray paint the whole bumper... both the companies that I mentioned in my first post sell repair kits... hopefully someone with experience with them will chip in....
#4
My brother used to do this type of work for dealerships. The best way to make it disappear is as Marksr suggested, sanding the area and repainting the entire bumper. But that's not usually an option most people would opt for... yourself included from the sounds of it.
So what he would do is probably very carefully try and scratch away anything that is loose around the edges of the repair with a razor blade... not cutting the plastic obviously but drag the razor while holding it perpendicular to the surface and try and scratch off most of the loose material. You don't want to scratch the surrounding paint, so you obviously have to be careful. (You can tape around the repair with masking tape to help protect the surrounding area.)
Then you would very lightly sand the edges with wet sandpaper... 400/600/800. Again, the intent is only to ensure the lifted paint around the edge is no longer loose, and the sanding will help "kill" that raised edge. Once it's been sanded, sufficiently, he'd clean it with a quick wipe of acetone. (acetone will eat the finish if you wet the paint with it, thus you just give it a quick wipe... and only wipe the divot you intend to paint... not the entire bumper!)
You'd apply the paint touchup (whichever one you choose, make sure the color matches your year and model EXACTLY because there are literally HUNDREDS of "whites" and they all look the same until you start putting dots of paint on your car- then you will see the difference! ) Only apply the paint to the divot, don't try and spread it out to "blend it in" with the surrounding paint. Use the smallest "artist" brush you can The very small thin wide ones are best for this size of scratch. And don't work it too long- apply it fast and get the brush out of it ASAP.
Once the paint touchups are cured, you can sometimes come back with a product like 3M Finesse-It or Finesse-It II and with a lot of elbow grease you can rub out the repair and help it blend in a little more. Even if the color is perfect, the edges of the repair will still catch the light differently.
The goal of paint "touchup" is not so much to make the repair disappear as it is to make it LESS noticeable.... for example so that when a person looks at a car that's for sale, his eye isn't drawn to the spot. But if you know where the repairs were, you will obviously always see them- Unless you vigorously sand, prime, and repaint the entire bumper, as Marksr suggested.
So what he would do is probably very carefully try and scratch away anything that is loose around the edges of the repair with a razor blade... not cutting the plastic obviously but drag the razor while holding it perpendicular to the surface and try and scratch off most of the loose material. You don't want to scratch the surrounding paint, so you obviously have to be careful. (You can tape around the repair with masking tape to help protect the surrounding area.)
Then you would very lightly sand the edges with wet sandpaper... 400/600/800. Again, the intent is only to ensure the lifted paint around the edge is no longer loose, and the sanding will help "kill" that raised edge. Once it's been sanded, sufficiently, he'd clean it with a quick wipe of acetone. (acetone will eat the finish if you wet the paint with it, thus you just give it a quick wipe... and only wipe the divot you intend to paint... not the entire bumper!)
You'd apply the paint touchup (whichever one you choose, make sure the color matches your year and model EXACTLY because there are literally HUNDREDS of "whites" and they all look the same until you start putting dots of paint on your car- then you will see the difference! ) Only apply the paint to the divot, don't try and spread it out to "blend it in" with the surrounding paint. Use the smallest "artist" brush you can The very small thin wide ones are best for this size of scratch. And don't work it too long- apply it fast and get the brush out of it ASAP.
Once the paint touchups are cured, you can sometimes come back with a product like 3M Finesse-It or Finesse-It II and with a lot of elbow grease you can rub out the repair and help it blend in a little more. Even if the color is perfect, the edges of the repair will still catch the light differently.
The goal of paint "touchup" is not so much to make the repair disappear as it is to make it LESS noticeable.... for example so that when a person looks at a car that's for sale, his eye isn't drawn to the spot. But if you know where the repairs were, you will obviously always see them- Unless you vigorously sand, prime, and repaint the entire bumper, as Marksr suggested.
#7
Yeah, he'll still have to sand/fill/prime/paint, or it will be very noticeable. Also, there is apparent line in bumper cover above, where plastic caved in and sprung back. I'd say, he's looking at approximately 5 by 2 inches repair area.
What is strange is torn paint edges and no signs of primer showing. It almost looks like paint bubbled away from unprimed plastic.
But no big deal, much less work than on my Ridgeline. OP, as it's cold outside, do this. Take 800 grit wet or dry sand paper, GENTLY sand it, and prime over with white primer, 3-4 coats. This will protect it till warmer times. THEN you can spend about an hour total time to fix it right.
You can order exact color match spray paint from any parts store or online. Don't do it now, paint won't stick. Paints like hot environment.
What is strange is torn paint edges and no signs of primer showing. It almost looks like paint bubbled away from unprimed plastic.
But no big deal, much less work than on my Ridgeline. OP, as it's cold outside, do this. Take 800 grit wet or dry sand paper, GENTLY sand it, and prime over with white primer, 3-4 coats. This will protect it till warmer times. THEN you can spend about an hour total time to fix it right.
You can order exact color match spray paint from any parts store or online. Don't do it now, paint won't stick. Paints like hot environment.
#8
It's the sun/heat out here. My Suzuki POS has a similar issue and I've seen it on other cars. Slightest scratch on a bumper cover and it just starts growing like a weed, with those same type of peeled/lifted edges. I'm guessing that when the flat sheen darker colored plastic is exposed, the temp differences cause the issue?
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Wow!Thanks Xsleeper and ukrbyk. Thats exactly the kind of info I was looking for.
Ukrbyk your job looks great!
Tow_Guy thanks for the recommendation. Will probably go with Paint Scratch and post pictures after I am done
Ukrbyk your job looks great!
Tow_Guy thanks for the recommendation. Will probably go with Paint Scratch and post pictures after I am done
#10
You welcome but it'll show without proper filler/priming/sanding. You'll waste your $$ and will have to do over anyway. I said Huhg.
See, problem is, it's white paint. White and black are the worst colors, they show everything, every tiny bit of imperfection. Besides, it also looks like you have several marks right above the marker light, aye, mate? Or it's just dirt?
See, problem is, it's white paint. White and black are the worst colors, they show everything, every tiny bit of imperfection. Besides, it also looks like you have several marks right above the marker light, aye, mate? Or it's just dirt?
#11
Member
Thread Starter
hmmm something going wrong with the timing of the posts. I hadnt seen the latest few replies when I posted. The other scratches are actually dirt, ukrbyk.
But this is just one of the "divots" on the car. There is more extensive damage in another location. But in both cases the scratch is not deep, I cannot catch my fingernail on it but there is no evidence of primer. Just the black material...
I looked into paintscratch and their kit includes 2 oz of each Basecoat, Clearcoat, Primer, Rubbing Compound and Lacquer thinner for cleanup. For $50. Pricey!
So that actually will cover the whole process of sanding, primering. Not sure if I will need more than 2 OZ though...
But this is just one of the "divots" on the car. There is more extensive damage in another location. But in both cases the scratch is not deep, I cannot catch my fingernail on it but there is no evidence of primer. Just the black material...
I looked into paintscratch and their kit includes 2 oz of each Basecoat, Clearcoat, Primer, Rubbing Compound and Lacquer thinner for cleanup. For $50. Pricey!
So that actually will cover the whole process of sanding, primering. Not sure if I will need more than 2 OZ though...
#12
Good luck.
If you have more extensive damage on SAME cover elsewhere, simply remove it and replace it. With a bit of calling around, you can replace it with same color one. Buying a new cover and repainting it will cost you around $400, unless you capable of DIY it.
Otherwise, I am out of here. decisions been made, people spoke. We'll see how goes it. My bet is - it'll show. Or, peel off in several weeks. There is more to working on EBS plastic, than what you think.
If you have more extensive damage on SAME cover elsewhere, simply remove it and replace it. With a bit of calling around, you can replace it with same color one. Buying a new cover and repainting it will cost you around $400, unless you capable of DIY it.
Otherwise, I am out of here. decisions been made, people spoke. We'll see how goes it. My bet is - it'll show. Or, peel off in several weeks. There is more to working on EBS plastic, than what you think.