NeatMike

As the title says, I was trying to fix a scratch on my driver side door and sanded with 3500 grit sandpaper paper. I sanded for about a minute with water and checked and my paint had a big faded red splotch on it where I was sanding. I'm assuming I sanded right through the clear coat.

My question is what is the best way to fix this? I bought duplicolor torch red spray paint and clear coat and was going to attempt to just spray it and then compound it with my dual action polisher. Is there any reason that is stupid?

JR-01

Try polishing/buffing it first. Maybe it's just dull from the sanding.

bobs77vet

is the water from wet sanding red? if its clear you are still in the clear coat.

if its red and no primer is coming through i would clear coat first. and then buff

NeatMike

I believe it was clear. I'll try and get a picture if it because that will explain it better than I can.

Vetteman Jack

Moved over to Paint/Body Section for some guidance.

DUB

IF you put water on it and the spot completely disappears...then you can prep the door a and shoot a GOOD clear on it.

IF the spot still shows up...depending if you can live with the spot being there and just applying clear on it...then the door needs to be prepped and red paint blended where the spot is and then it is cleared.

I am a professional and you can use what you want. BUT I know I would not use any paint that is not of a high quality automotive type. So all types of aerosol 1K clear coat are not of the question. Using an aerosol red paint...that is also not something I would do.

I know the outside door handle would come off along with the mirror and upper window sealing strip. The entire exterior surface of the door needs to be prepped and clearcoated. Doing a 'spot' repair...and then also 'spotting in' the clear will more than likely not turn out the results that you may expect. This panel is so small. Most painters would clear it and not try to spot in the clear. It can actually take MORE time to do it that way.

DUB

The Rabbi

For touch ups, I have a spray can of the paint. Spray some into the cap and using a cotton swab touch up the scratches, nicks etc.

DUB

Although your method of touching up chips and nicks is done by many people in that exact same manner...in his scenario...this advice/suggestion does not apply. Unless the person wants it to look like a blob of paint when completed.

When it comes to a scratch..the method of application should change from a cotton swab to something much more precise...or get it professionally refinished if an excellent repair is desired.

DUB

NeatMike

Any idea what this would cost? It really sucks to have that spot but at the same time there are other things I'd rather put $500 into then repairing a spot on my door.

DUB

I have no idea where you live...nor what the rate of doing paint and body work is in your area. You will need to take it to a shop.

The crash guide states that painting the outside of your door take 2.2hours.

Then add for clearcoat which would be about 0.4 times the paint time. So..0.4 X 2.2 which is about 0.8 of an hour. So roughly 3.0 hours in JUST paint and prep time.

Then remove door panel and parts...or they might mask them off. I always remove these parts.

Then they might need to check the color and tint it to make the color be a 'blendable' match. That can take how ever long it takes.

Then you have to figure in the cost of the materials. Which can be something like $30 pre paint hour. SO if you have 3.0 hours of paint time..the cost of materials can be $90.00

Then if they charge for any sanding and buffing after it has been painted.

Then the costs of bagging of the rest of the car with a large plastic bag so no overspray gets on it.

Then the hazardous waste removal fee.

DUB

snomuncher

For reference, I recently obtained an estimate for basically a similar scope of work to repaint a door with one local area of paint damage, including the labor for removing and reinstalling the interior trim, door handle and mirror. At the shop's labor rate of $62/hour the total was $675.