C5 Scratch

[FlagCraig]

Looking to buy a new C5 (2003) with a small scratch on the door. It is about 1/2" long and very thin. Is there a recommended method to fix scratch on fiberglass? Thanks for any help.

 

[04 Commemorative]

Had to read this 3 times before I realized you were not looking for a Vette that had a scratch on the door !!! Maybe too much wine last night lol !

 

[BugMan]

Well it depends on money. First I would try the cheap solution and see if you can live with it provided the scratch does not make it all the way to the fiberglass or the primer. Here it is:

- Wash the car and dry off. Use liquid Dawn to get rid of the old wax.
- After drying it use claybar on the whole car with special attention to the area with the scratch.
- If the car paint is in great shape then use some rubbing compound (by hand) on the scratch area only (go about 2 inches all around), follow it with polishing compound on the scratch area only (also go about 2 inches all around and by hand). If you are anal like me wash the area again and use the clay bar as well.
- Get one of the color waxes that closest match your car and use it on the scratch area.
- Wax the hole car with regular wax.

Stand back and see if you can live with the results. Total cost less than $20. Of course you will have to repeat every 3 to 4 months but it is cheap.

 

[Zblast]

If the car is black, forget about it. Nothing works.

 

[Patrick]

Hi, Craig. I see this is your first post. Welcome to the

Regarding your question, I did a quick look through the CAC's Care and Detailing Forum, but I didn't specifically find anything related to scratch removal. There are some threads about the proper use of a clay bar, and even if applying a clay bar doesn't cure your scratch, there are still lots of good reasons for a clay bar treatment anyway.

How deep is the scratch? If it's penetrated through the clear coat, all the way down to the paint itself, it's likely no scratch removal technique will work. Let us know if what you decide to do about this Corvette you're looking at.


-Patrick

 

[jrose7004]

Vettes aren't fiberglass anymore.

 

[04 Commemorative]

Try wet sanding it

 

[6 Shooter]

Vettes aren't fiberglass anymore.

Composite Champ - fiber glass bodies and the Corvette​

BTW - Welcome to the

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[FlagCraig]

Patrick,
Thanks for the info. The scratch has penetrated the clear coat. It is a small scratch as stated. It is in the lower middle part of passenger door. The car is in great overall condition with about 13K miles on it (2003) and the price was very fair. I have called my local Chevy dealer and they say a guy comes in every Wednesday to take care of scatches and blemishes on their used and new cars. They say he's good. I thought I might have him look at it. The previous owner also gave me factory matching touch up paint. For this I would let a professional do it. What do you think about these options? Thanks again for your response I really enjoy this site. It is very helpful. I am sure I will continue to use it.
Craig.

Hi, Craig. I see this is your first post. Welcome to the

Regarding your question, I did a quick look through the CAC's Care and Detailing Forum, but I didn't specifically find anything related to scratch removal. There are some threads about the proper use of a clay bar, and even if applying a clay bar doesn't cure your scratch, there are still lots of good reasons for a clay bar treatment anyway.

How deep is the scratch? If it's penetrated through the clear coat, all the way down to the paint itself, it's likely no scratch removal technique will work. Let us know if what you decide to do about this Corvette you're looking at.


-Patrick

 

[FlagCraig]

Thank you very much for your recommendation.
Craig.

Well it depends on money. First I would try the cheap solution and see if you can live with it provided the scratch does not make it all the way to the fiberglass or the primer. Here it is:

- Wash the car and dry off. Use liquid Dawn to get rid of the old wax.
- After drying it use claybar on the whole car with special attention to the area with the scratch.
- If the car paint is in great shape then use some rubbing compound (by hand) on the scratch area only (go about 2 inches all around), follow it with polishing compound on the scratch area only (also go about 2 inches all around and by hand). If you are anal like me wash the area again and use the clay bar as well.
- Get one of the color waxes that closest match your car and use it on the scratch area.
- Wax the hole car with regular wax.

Stand back and see if you can live with the results. Total cost less than $20. Of course you will have to repeat every 3 to 4 months but it is cheap.

 

[Patrick]

Patrick,
Thanks for the info. The scratch has penetrated the clear coat. It is a small scratch as stated. It is in the lower middle part of passenger door. The car is in great overall condition with about 13K miles on it (2003) and the price was very fair. I have called my local Chevy dealer and they say a guy comes in every Wednesday to take care of scatches and blemishes on their used and new cars. They say he's good. I thought I might have him look at it.

Craig,
It sounds like a well cared for Corvette- only 13,000 miles in a little over three years. If the scratch is the only flaw it has, I'd say you've found a diamond in the rough. Definately have the scratch repair person from the Chevrolet dealership have a look at it.

The previous owner also gave me factory matching touch up paint. For this I would let a professional do it. What do you think about these options?

My own personal philosophy when it comes to touch up paint is that it's best used for rock chips, particularly if they're in hard to notice areas. The big problem with touch up paint is that no matter how you try to apply it, you're going to have some color fade to a vehicle over time, and the touch up will be noticeable as a darker shade of the same color. And if you have to apply it over a large area, no matter how carefully you try, you're always going to end up with a seam that resembles a patch.

I guess I'd see what the scratch repair person could do for you first. Let us know what he says when see him.

-Patrick

 

[PeterG]

Relatively

I have had several black cars including my current '99 C5.

Black looks great when clean, gets dirty fastest, stone chips and these "neighborly" minor scratches do not prevent me form owning a black car... or ordering the 2007 black C6 that I will pick up in a few weeks.

You will be fortunate if the scratch you described is the worst thing that ever happens.

I use Meguiar's Scratch X every few weeks for these minor scratches. Any more drastic repair will likely be showing itself as it "visibly hides" the original scratch in its larger area.

Enjoy your black Vette.

 

[Remo]

Good Stuff

Craig.

This prodduct works so well it's almost beyond belief.
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm/fa/p/pid/3508/sc/7542

Remo:cool