Help! I'm Accumulating Spoiler Scratches and DK...Why!?
#1
Help! I'm Accumulating Spoiler Scratches and DK...Why!?
Hey guys,
So I've had my Torch Red '16 C7 Z51 for 1.5 years now and still love it but I have a problem. My black spoiler is accumulating a good amount of scratches and I dont know why.
It's definitely not me putting the top in the trunk. I've been VERY careful every time and I assure you the top has never touched my spoiler. I assumed it was the aerodynamic of the car having the air catch rocks and throw them into my spoiler but I was looking at some Z51 vettes st Cars and Coffee today and they didn't have the same problem I do. Any ideas on what this is and/or how to prevent this from continuing?
Also, any ideas on how to cover these up without repainting it? Some of the scratches should be small enough to hide.
Thanks in advance.
So I've had my Torch Red '16 C7 Z51 for 1.5 years now and still love it but I have a problem. My black spoiler is accumulating a good amount of scratches and I dont know why.
It's definitely not me putting the top in the trunk. I've been VERY careful every time and I assure you the top has never touched my spoiler. I assumed it was the aerodynamic of the car having the air catch rocks and throw them into my spoiler but I was looking at some Z51 vettes st Cars and Coffee today and they didn't have the same problem I do. Any ideas on what this is and/or how to prevent this from continuing?
Also, any ideas on how to cover these up without repainting it? Some of the scratches should be small enough to hide.
Thanks in advance.
#2
Do you park your car outside (looks like a parking garage) ? No cover I take it (might want to invest in one. Here is my take you got at least one corvette loving cat ~! Outside cats all have their claws... I think you got one that like to jump up and grabs the spoiler for stability, they look exactly like what cat claws would do ...imo
#4
Do you park your car outside (looks like a parking garage) ? No cover I take it (might want to invest in one. Here is my take you got at least one corvette loving cat ~! Outside cats all have their claws... I think you got one that like to jump up and grabs the spoiler for stability, they look exactly like what cat claws would do ...imo
#5
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They look to be similarly located on both sides and not in the center. That doesn't seem like a cat to me. Also, cats typically leave discernible tracks on other parts of the car from dust, dew, etc.
They look to be too many and too "deep" to be aero garbbage, imho. Bottom-line I just don't know. I'd suggest taking good pix so you can see and monitor if they are continuing to be added and, if so, try to determine exactly when and where that occurs, if it does. Sorry to see... all the best!
They look to be too many and too "deep" to be aero garbbage, imho. Bottom-line I just don't know. I'd suggest taking good pix so you can see and monitor if they are continuing to be added and, if so, try to determine exactly when and where that occurs, if it does. Sorry to see... all the best!
#6
They look to be similarly located on both sides and not in the center. That doesn't seem like a cat to me. Also, cats typically leave discernible tracks on other parts of the car from dust, dew, etc.
They look to be too many and too "deep" to be aero garbbage, imho. Bottom-line I just don't know. I'd suggest taking good pix so you can see and monitor if they are continuing to be added and, if so, try to determine exactly when and where that occurs, if it does. Sorry to see... all the best!
They look to be too many and too "deep" to be aero garbbage, imho. Bottom-line I just don't know. I'd suggest taking good pix so you can see and monitor if they are continuing to be added and, if so, try to determine exactly when and where that occurs, if it does. Sorry to see... all the best!
I dont get it. I'm stumped. Any way to cover these up?
#7
Instructor
Looks like the scratches might line up with the pings on the top which is see you do have under the hatch in one photo. Could you be dragging the top as you place it under the hatch?
#9
It's definitely not me putting the top in the trunk.
I'm always very careful. I'll see if it lines up but these scratches are from something sharp. I'll get a close up pic.
I think I might put some power down or something at night to see if we see tracks. I'll keep you guys posted
Any way to cover these up?
I think I might put some power down or something at night to see if we see tracks. I'll keep you guys posted
Any way to cover these up?
#11
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Do you park your car outside (looks like a parking garage) ? No cover I take it (might want to invest in one. Here is my take you got at least one corvette loving cat ~! Outside cats all have their claws... I think you got one that like to jump up and grabs the spoiler for stability, they look exactly like what cat claws would do ...imo
This was my first reaction after seeing these photos. If you are parking outside (ie; not a locked garage) it’s a cat, rat, possum or raccoon. Especially since a few look parallel. These look pretty deep... these are not surface scuffs from you dragging a gym bag over the top edge.
#13
Le Mans Master
I agree with the above regarding the targa top causing the scratches when storing. If you are certain that you are not causing the damage, is it possible that someone else, perhaps another driver, is sliding the top across the spoiler?
As far as repaires... You can try to polish and buff with a mild compound, which should remove most of the fine scratches. The deeper scratches, if you can catch your finger nail on them, will most likely require a filler and respray...
As far as repaires... You can try to polish and buff with a mild compound, which should remove most of the fine scratches. The deeper scratches, if you can catch your finger nail on them, will most likely require a filler and respray...
#16
You may want to buy a bumper bib (AKA rear facia protecter) to protect the spoiler when putting anything in or out of the hatch.
My first guess is that somehow you are scratching it (even unknowingly). The pic of the hatch open shows the top, and the scratches look suspiciously like they align with the top edges.
The Z51 spoiler is high enough to interfere with anything going in or coming out of the rear.
My first guess is that somehow you are scratching it (even unknowingly). The pic of the hatch open shows the top, and the scratches look suspiciously like they align with the top edges.
The Z51 spoiler is high enough to interfere with anything going in or coming out of the rear.
#17
It could also be from a squirrel. They are nasty little suckers. Anyway, not sure if anybody addressed the other question about what to do with the scratches. Depends on how deep the scratches are. If they do not reach the base coat (assuming that is carbon flash and not carbon fiber) you could take it to a professional dealer and buff it out with a mild compound (Meguiar's Scratch X for one), then use a fine polish, and then apply a wax or sealant. A good detailer could do this and you couldn't tell there ever was a scratch there. Nice car, just keep them critters off. Bikini clad women are OK though.
#18
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It's awfully easy to hit the spoiler while removing things from the trunk - even things like groceries, etc. can leave marks you might not know you made. It doesn't take much.
#19
To fix the scratches, you could try meguiars scratch x and buff them out as best you could (don't get too crazy or you'll buff through the clear coat). Some of those scratches look way to deep to buff out though, for those I would use Dr. Colorchip and fill them in. If you're super fussy, the only perfect fix would be to have the spoiler repainted. The dr colorchip fix is easy to do and looks pretty darn good so I'd give that a try before having it repainted.
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