How to fix scratches

[Ms.L]

Hi, I am new at this. I have a white Chevrolet Impala with some scratches (from hanging the bike or opening the door at the wrong place, for example). Can anyone recommend a product to fade those dark lines?

[Carmine]

Ms.L,

Please be a little clearer with your questions! :) Are you talking about scratches in the paint or dark lines from the liquid runoff from the bike rack or bike? :confused:

John

[Ms.L]

Ms.L,

Please be a little clearer with your questions! :) Are you talking about scratches in the paint or dark lines from the liquid runoff from the bike rack or bike? :confused:

John
Hi John,

Thanks for your answer. Sorry about the confusion, I was talking about scratches in the paint which are not superficial.

Ms.L

[Cloud59]

You will need to visit you local Chevy dealer to aquire a small container of brush on touch up paint to match your Impala. Keep in mind that not all white paint is the same color so be sure you have a match.
You will need a fine pointed artists brush (like a 00000 ) and a small amount of laquer thinner.
Do not use the brush attactched to the cap on the touch up paint as they are generally way to large for filling a scratch.
Clean the scratch out with some alchohol to remove dirt and wax.
Mix about 50/50 Paint to laquer thinner in a soda bottle cap and carefully fill in the scratch with the fine brush a little at a time. You may need 3 to 4 applications to build it up.
When finished, use the Eastwood Final Finish System Kit http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1802&itemType=PRODUCT (with complete instructions) to polish it out or aquire some 1500 grit paper and wet sand the repaired area. Follow up with a good polish and wax.

[Ms.L]

Thank you. Will I find the Eastwood Final Finish in stores or online only?

[Cloud59]

I have provided the actual kit instructions from our website including what products you need to properly repair the scratches:

(You can of course, find the Meguiars Swirl Remover at many auto supply stores however it would be more to convenient to order the entire kit from The Eastwood Company)

Final Finish Paint Polishing Kit Instructions

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Repair Minor Paint Damage
Eastwood's Final Finish Paint Polish System is the ideal solution for repairing small ships and new-finish flaws, such as drips, sags, and runs. These instructions apply to repairing all of these problems.
The key to success in this process is patience and practice. If you have never attempted this type of repair before, we suggest that you practice on an inconspicuous area of your vehicle, such as inside the trunk or underneath the hood.

Necessary Equipment

Your Final Finish Paint Polish Kit should have been shipped with the following items:
Paint Polish, 12 oz. bottle (#34070A)
Velcro Backup Pad (#34070B)
#" Diameter Buffing Pad (#34070C)
Fingertip Sanding Spool (#34070D)
1 Roll of 24 Ultra-fine Scalloped Sanding Discs (#34070E)
In addition to the supplies that came with this kit, you will need a slow-speed polisher or electric drill (2,000 rpm or less), a sponge, some clean soft cotton rags, and touch-up paint to match you vehicle.

Suggested Helpful Products

PRE Surface Prep Aerosol (#10041Z) Ensures that the paint surface is completely free of wax, grease and oil, in one easy step. It is safe for all finishes.
Fiberglass Rust Brush (#34004) Thoroughly cleans out dirt, residual paint flakes and rust from small chipped areas.
Instructions

To repair paint chips, follow Steps 1 through 5.
To repair finish flaws, follow Steps 1,4, and 5.
Clean the area. All grease, was, and oil must be removed from the affected area. If the area is not perfectly clean, the repair may fail quickly, or the underlying metal could start to rust beneath the new paint. (Our #40041Z PRE Surface Prep, an easy to use aerosol, does the job very well.) If the chip has already started to rust, you must clean it out. (Our #34004 Fiberglass Rust Brush is perfect for this sort of job.)
Apply touch-up paint in layers. Build-up several thin layers of paint finish (see diagram). Professional paint shops allow each coat of touch-up paint to cure overnight before applying the next. Although time-consuming, this makes for a better repair.
Sand new paint level with existing finish. Remove one self-adhesive Sanding Disc from the spool and place it on the Fingertip sanding Spool. Dampen the sanding disc with water. Using a wet sponge, wet the repair area and add a drop of Paint Polish to make a 50/50 mix of polish and water. Sand the repair area by rotating the spool between your thumb and forefinger. Try to sand as small an area as possible, and use just enough pressure to smooth the area. Keep sanding until the touch-up paint is level with the surrounding paint.
NOTE: Do not rub spool back and forth, and keep the area wet while sanding.
Buff out the repair with the buffing pad. Attach the Velcro Backup Pad to an electric drill or low-speed (2,000 RPM or less) polisher. Put a "dime-sized" spot of Paint Polish on the repair area and turn the drill polisher on. Move the drill over the area in slow, circular motions, using medium pressure for about 10 seconds. Keep the drill running and release some pressure, continuing to polish for about another 2 or three seconds to get maximum gloss.
Clean and Wax Clean the area with water and a damp cloth. When the area is dry, apply a good-quality car wax to protect the finish. Waxing will help prevent future problems. Remember, paint and chrome plating are porous; moisture can get under the finish and lift the surface coating, which will make the base metal rust.