Omfg
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: Dallas TX
Omfg
I scraped my passenger mirror against the side of the garage backing in and now have a white line across the mirror. Is this something that will buff out, or do i need to repaint? GRRRRRR. Only had the car for 800 miles.
Ben
Ben
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 810
Likes: 10
From: Miller Place NY
The white marks is actually an indication that you scraped the clear coat. Clear coat turns white when scraped with sandpaper, the first thing they taught me at auto damage estimating school.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
I agree there are two possibilities
The approach to fixing is the same either way - use a light abrasive, proceed to heavy as necessary.
For paint transfer a tar and bug remover, turpentine, or even a simple cleaner wax rubbed on the spot with foam pad will remove it.
If those measures don't work, move up to a Porter-Cable, white or orange pad with 3M #39002. You'll be able to buff out the scratched clearcoat in a few minutes. If no Porter - Cable, you can do this by hand with a terry cloth towel, but it wll take a LOT of work.
Check http://www.bugmanweb.com - click on "buffing" for more on how to use the buffer and some product suggestions. I don't sell anything.
You really should be able to fix this yourself. So long as you don't use a rotary machine, there is no risk of burning through the clearcoat, even on a curved surface like a rearview mirror.
can you post a picture of the damage?
- white = paint transfer (most garage mouldings are painted white)
- white= scraped clearcoat
The approach to fixing is the same either way - use a light abrasive, proceed to heavy as necessary.
For paint transfer a tar and bug remover, turpentine, or even a simple cleaner wax rubbed on the spot with foam pad will remove it.
If those measures don't work, move up to a Porter-Cable, white or orange pad with 3M #39002. You'll be able to buff out the scratched clearcoat in a few minutes. If no Porter - Cable, you can do this by hand with a terry cloth towel, but it wll take a LOT of work.
Check http://www.bugmanweb.com - click on "buffing" for more on how to use the buffer and some product suggestions. I don't sell anything.
You really should be able to fix this yourself. So long as you don't use a rotary machine, there is no risk of burning through the clearcoat, even on a curved surface like a rearview mirror.
can you post a picture of the damage?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Loganville Georgia
Me too
Couple of weeks ago I came home from a ride and while backing into the garage I brushed the white drywall with the corner of where the back fusa meets the fender. 
I first used scratch remover and a terrycloth towel then worked it with a 50 grit claybar.
stripped the the whole car with a mixture of alcohol and water then proceeded to clyabar the rest of the car then wax with Zaino. (That was my plan for the day anyway) Done,
no more white.
I don't know if it was the clear coat or drywall on the corner of the car but all gone now!!
Man I feel your pain.
I first used scratch remover and a terrycloth towel then worked it with a 50 grit claybar.stripped the the whole car with a mixture of alcohol and water then proceeded to clyabar the rest of the car then wax with Zaino. (That was my plan for the day anyway) Done,
no more white.I don't know if it was the clear coat or drywall on the corner of the car but all gone now!!
Man I feel your pain.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 1
From: Livermore California
Sounds like bugman's got you handled. I suggest practicing with the spouse's car. That's what I did . . . whacked the passenger mirror on her new minivan pulling into the garage after bringing it home for the first time from the dealership. Good luck with the repair. 
FM
FM
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm sorry about the damage and good luck removing the scratches....look at the bright side...it could have been worse. I was backing my Suburban into a tight space in an underground garage and took-out my side mirror....$300 replacement part.
Bugman...thanks for the scratch removal tips. I've got some white 'scratches' on the right front corner of my C6 (like I was turning and brushed something). I wish I knew how it got there...I know I didn't hit anything.
Bugman...thanks for the scratch removal tips. I've got some white 'scratches' on the right front corner of my C6 (like I was turning and brushed something). I wish I knew how it got there...I know I didn't hit anything.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,762
Likes: 2
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton California
Hopefully it is not the white primer behind the paint you are talking about. Underneath my VY paint, it is a white primer or base color. When you see that it means time for touch up or re-paint. If you go that far into the paint it is pretty easy to tell that it is a deep scratch, and not just a scrape on the clear though.