Repairing Clearcoat?

[RadioActive1]

Hey all:

I'm a Newb to this forum. Looks like a tremendous amount of information on here; I'm going to learn a lot, but here's my question.

I just bought a 2001 Corvette. (beautiful Dark Bowling Green Metallic ragtop w/ tan top & interior) The car is in excellent shape overall, but there is a spot where someone tried to buff out a small scratch (which wasn't through the paint), and managed to buff through the clearcoat.

The area is about the size of a quarter on the driver's door.

Is there a way to correct this without re-shooting the entire door with another coat of clear?

This is a very nice car, so I'm not going to be satisfied with a DIY repair that doesn't look professional.

Thanks,

RadioActive1

[(901)]

Originally Posted by RadioActive1

Hey all:

I'm a Newb to this forum. Looks like a tremendous amount of information on here; I'm going to learn a lot, but here's my question.

I just bought a 2001 Corvette. (beautiful Dark Bowling Green Metallic ragtop w/ tan top & interior) The car is in excellent shape overall, but there is a spot where someone tried to buff out a small scratch (which wasn't through the paint), and managed to buff through the clearcoat.

The area is about the size of a quarter on the driver's door.

Is there a way to correct this without re-shooting the entire door with another coat of clear?

This is a very nice car, so I'm not going to be satisfied with a DIY repair that doesn't look professional.

Thanks,

RadioActive1

No, respray is going to be your only answer unfortunatelly

Sorry to meet under these circumstances, but welcome to the site from Sonoma County

[Poorboy]

I would find someone who can airbrush it ... otherwise you would be best of doing it right and respraying the door, especially if you plan on keeping it for a while

[JaredPointer]

Yeah - I saw a post somewhere in the last six months where someone had an airbrush repair for the same problem and you would never be able to tell. It looked great.

I need to find me an airbrush guy somewhere close by here to repair a couple of marks on my driver door....

[Dtrick.22]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

I would find someone who can airbrush it ... otherwise you would be best of doing it right and respraying the door, especially if you plan on keeping it for a while

Yes you might want to see if somebody could do an airbrushing. It would be inexpensive, and if its not up to your expectations then the worst case is just getting it resprayed. I would try it before you go paying to have the whole thing done. Good luck

[Ronkh]

I'll defer to the others on the paint. But congrats on the Vette.

Vettes are special.

[cartoysautospa]

you can try the airbrush.......it might hold and it might not, depends on what kind of paint they use. Another cheap way out is to find a body shop that will just repair that small burned paint area(re-base) and re clear just the door.If you go that route make sure they wet sand and polish the door to match the two adjacent panels .

[Ron Harris]

If you have see pictures of this type of airbrush repair and it looks good think again. What you will end up with is a halo around where the clear stops. You may only be able to catch it is certain light. If this wont bother you then I say do it. However the best thing to do is shoot the entire door.
Some shops will try and short cut the job taping off handles mirrors and belt moldings. I would insist the de-trim the door. You will pay a little more but will not have a problem with clear peeling from these areas in a year or two.

[RadioActive1]

Originally Posted by Ron Harris

What you will end up with is a halo around where the clear stops.

First, thanks to everyone who replied. My first post, so I wasn't sure what sort of response I'd get as a total newb from a pro detailing perspective. Sadly some forums aren't to kind to newbie "dumb questions", but have to say, have read a number of posts on here and you guys are great.

I'm not a newbie when it comes to nice cars - have been a classic car nut since I was 5. My brother restores and builds rods and customs.

Great advice on the halo and the masking/taping. I've seen many, many classic cars with great body/restoration work that were ruined because someone did a lousy touchup. I think an airbrush might be OK if it was done by someone that really knew paint and feathered and blended it properly. But, I'm pretty picky, so I wonder if I'd be happy with it.

Thanks all - I know I'm going to learn a lot here!