Hi,

I can't believe I did this, since I am usually so careful, but when I was backing our 2013 RDX out of the driveway, I grazed the large plastic garbage containers. Now I have a minor scratch along the passenger side. It's not very deep, but it's about 2 feet long. Our RDX is Graphite colored.

It is barely noticeable in general, though I can see it in certain light. It probably just scratched the clear-coat and maybe a little of the Graphite paint. I don't see any primer or metal. I don't want to make it worse, but is there something simple I can do to "fix" the scratch? If nothing else, I would like to make sure it is protected as much as before the clear-coat was scraped. I'm sure it would look worse if I tried to add some touch-up paint.

Thanks,

Gregg

 

Since I'm a perfectionist on that sort of thing I'd take it to the dealer. Knowing it was there would drive me nuts! My dealer has someone there who only works on paint and does a superb job. (The service was necessary twice, through no fault of my own, on the TSX and both times it was much more than a scratch.) If it's just in the clear coat it may easily buff out. At least the dealer could let you know the best way to handle it.

 

Does it catch your finger nail? If it doesn't catch your fingernail you can probably polish it out. If it catches your finger nail and you want to fix it so it won't be noticeable, you are going to need help. There are mobile touch up guys that will come to your car and fix it. Just google....

 

Have you considered one of those *pens*? I know, they are advertised on late night TV, so I never gave them much credance - but I have now seen them in more than one auto parts store. The ones I have seen are basically a sort of *pen*, to apply clear paint, with some instructions. Touch-up w/ clear should be fairly good repair and barely noticable, esp. if buffing is used after the paint dries. You will need some skill to apply - otherwise you will need to pay someone for help. And no, I have done touchups, but not with this item.

 

Get some 3m rubbing compound and some meguiars polish, it has fixed any scratch that ive had as long as it isnt deep. if it catches your fingernail when you run it across then only a shop can do it unless you want to use touch up paint

 

No, no and NO.

Step away from the dealership or the paint pens.

Rocket is right, if it doesn't catch a fingernail then it is something that can be polished out. It it catches a fingernail then a good detailer "might" be able to polish it out.

First. Give the car a good wash. Go to your local auto parts store and buy a bottle of car wash - like Meguiars. While you are there, pick up a spray can of 3M Adhesive remover. It'll come in handy for all sorts of things. Finally, buy a decent microfiber wash mitt and a single microfiber cloth. (Why one? Because you need one now - you'll buy more online.)

Second. Wash the whole car using plenty of soap and two buckets (one for soapy water, the other to rinse your mitt.)

Third. Spray adhesive remover on the offending "scratch" and lightly wipe it off moving the cloth front to back ofer the area of the scratch. If it helped a little then use more adhesive remover and wipe a bit harder.

There are three possibilities

1. The trash can scraped the paint - unlikely
2. Plastic from the trash can transferred to the paint - very likely
3. Plastic from trash can transferred and left a hairline scratch - extremely likely

 

I already washed the car well, with the 2 bucket method, Optimum No-Rinse Wash & Wax, and a lamb-skin mitt. I wiped it down with a large microfiber towel. I do not have any spray adhesive remover, but I can get some later today.

The scratch is very thin, but it catches my fingernail slightly. There is an initial 4" scratch that catches my nail, then a small gap and a 12" scratch that is not as bad, but very slightly catches my nail, then a small gap and a 6" scratch that barely catches my nail.

Thanks for your help (and thanks to all others who responded). Any other advice will certainly be appreciated.

Gregg

 

touch up paint is not that bad to use if use correctly

 

Using touch up paint is very bad when you don't need it.

 

well yea definitly don't use it if not needed but if the scratch can't be fixed with compound or polish then touch up paint isn't a bad option. worked miracles on my old car

 

Step one - don't panic. It seems fixable.
Step two - look at the scratch carefully. What may seem like "catching" on the fingernail may in fact be paint/plastic transfer from the can.
Step Three - you could also try a claybar if it looks like it it is transfer.
Step four - if it isn't through the paint (and maybe not even through the clearcoat) you could try very carefully to polish it out. Your goal would be to round the edges of the scratch so that it becomes less visible.

If any of those steps scare you, then you could ask in your local forum for a recommendation for a good detailer who can probably fix that in no time.
HINT: you won't find a good detailer at the dealership or at a bodyshop.

 

Sure - but the first step is always to carefully analyze the problem. This sounds like it can be fixed without paint although a picture would help.

 

find a higher end detailer.

he can fix you right up.

if you need help finding one go to like a meguiars forum and find one there.

you need someone expert in paint correction.

they will make it so you cant see it.

and not F up the surrounding area.


and stay away from the pens. unless you can fill ONLY the scratch. they leave a swath of clear that is noticable more than the scratch.


and like CEB says dont panic.

when i bought my tsx it was covered in halograms in the paint. prolly from the 'dealer wash crew'/

i know adam's is close I called them......"who is the BEST detailer in the area"

they hooked me up with Mike from The Works in Boulder and i never looked back.

i have since learned to do most paint correction myself but never be afraid to go to the guy that does it everyday for money/

 

Buffing a scratch can cause the clear coat to fail:

Paint transfer can be buffed off. An actual scratch is another problem. I have an actual similar scratch on the passenger door of my RDX, and since it is only visible under certain light, I just ignore it - here is why.

Clear coat paint is only typically 1.0 - 2.0 mil thick. One mil = 0.001 inch, and by comparison, a paper 3x5 inch card is 0.010 inch thick. And if your fingernail catches, then the scratch is a minimum of 1.0 mil deep. Yes, that means the scratch is probably through the clear coat paint.

If clear coat paint is thinned then the UV protection of the clear coat fails, followed by fading and eventual failure of the color coat. Color paint itself has NO UV protection.

“The following are the maximum allowable clear coat reductions the major USA car manufacturers will allow before the paint warranty becomes void: Chrysler – 0.5 Mil (12µ), Ford – 0.3 Mil (7.5µ), GM – 0.5 Mil (12µ) (Source - Automotive International)”

Good luck with resolving your paint problem.

 

A few days ago, I posted in the Meguiar's forum, in the Detailer Wanted thread. So far, my post has 60 views, but no replies.

Can you recommend any other places to find a good detailer (in Raleigh, NC)?

Thanks,

Gregg

 

A word of caution on this product.... it will melt the plastic on your headlights and other plastics like it. It is okay on the paint but never spray this stuff near or on your headlights, taillight etc, you will be sorry. Ask me how I know...

 

If the scratch is not too deep, you can try to use the Meguires ScratchX product. Although you should use some muscle when applying. It does a pretty good job masking depending on the color of the car.

 

A quote from GM TSB Bulletin No.: 02-08-42-001D, for all GM vehicles 2011 and earlier (because released in 2011), emphasis below added:

A variety of chemicals can cause crazing or cracking of the headlamp lens. Headlamp lenses are very sensitive. Care should be exercised to avoid contact with all exterior headlamp lenses when treating a vehicle with any type of chemical, such as those recommended for rail dust removal.

Rubbing compound, grease tar and oil removers, tire cleaners, cleaner waxes, and even car wash soaps in too high a concentration may also attribute to this condition. This could result in the need to replace the entire headlamp housing.

 

I would use a cleaner wax, something like Meguiar's A1216 Cleaner Wax - Liquid should work. Make sure you wash the car first and that the area is clean before waxing. You may need to apply moderate pressure as you are polishing/cleaning the area with the wax. It should help restore the original color of the paint and remove any traces of garbage can residue . If the scratch is deep, the physical scratch may still be present but not as noticable. If the results are still not satisfactory, I suggest bringing it into a body shop for paint repair.

Do not use touch up paint for a minor scratch. It'll only come out worse.

 

How do you know?

Of course it is always necessary to follow directions and not use products on plastics that aren't intended for use on plastic.

 

I used this product to help remove adhesive from a failed clear bra. Some of the remover ran down the hood and down the headlight. It burned a streak right down the lens. I did eventually remove it with some fine sandpaper/plastic polish, but there is no warning on the can. In fact I can't even recall if the ingredients are on the can.

Actually 3M makes different variations of products call 'Adhesive remover.' The cans are different colors. One is citrus based, one seems to be acetone based. There may be other versions.

 

Ouch. The one I've used was in a red can.

Perhaps I'll amend my recommendation to "spray adhesive remover on a microfiber rag and..."

 

i got this from a recommend on lxforums

take it with a gr of salt.

Rhodes Washes Auto Spa
919 437 9853
theultimateautospa.com

He's a mobile detailer that work the area, highly recommended.

 

Thanks to those listing 'steps'. May I add one:

Step #x...Have DW smash the right front quarter panel into the garage door framing 'cause she is to impatient to line the vehicle up properly.

Then, you won't care about a scratch

Guess we will either lease another Acura and take advantage of their 'forgiveness' plan...OR...take a hit for a couple grand...OR...buy the RDX at the end of the lease.

 

OR... have it repaired by their bodyshop and they can't ding you for it on lease turn-in.

 

Thanks for the information. I will try contacting him. I appreciate the help.

Gregg

 

That's the $2000 I mentioned...Dang!