Need your help!! Scratched my hood and can't fix it!

I have a 99SS ( sig ) and was washing my car, I guess a rock got under my mit and at the time I was talking to my neighbor while washing my car. I don't apply that much pressure to begin with being a black car and all because I HATE swirl marks...

Well, there is a large spiral of white scratch mark about the size of a baseball to the left of my driver's side headlight. It's kinda hard to notice until you are up close.

I have been using Zaino since I bought the car and I love it to death, but Z5 doesn't seem to help. I even let the wax sit for close to 48 hours in my garage and still no luck. After the 4th coat I give up. The scratch is not deep, I can run my finger over it and feel nothing. The scratch looks white, I imagine that's because the clearcoat is scratched.

I even tried *gasp* GS9 from Pep Boys, but that didn't work.

Am I out of luck? I am thinking at this point I will need to have that front piece repainted. Just coming here for any advice before I dish out the large expense.

Thanks in advance!



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Chris Anderson
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Black 99SS M6 all SLP Options
Mods - Cutout, Direct-Flo Lid, GMS MAF.
Best ET 13.60 @ 104.31
Best MPH 13.92 @ 105.81

I once had a scratch you could catch your fingernail on but wasn't through the color coat. Every evening I'd add a little Z-5 to the scratch and remove it in the morning as I was going to work. It took alot of coats but it eventually filled it to the point I couldn't find it any more.

The other option is a mild abrasive and try removing it.

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Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, STB, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley filter and Mallory polished MAF ends.

Louisville, KY

Thanks for the tip, I am going to put Z5 on it for about 2 weeks off and on and see if that finally fixes it..

And..

I just noticed you're from Louisville also, small world heh.

Smaller every day. If you need any help or Zaino supplies, let me know I keep extra on hand for all the locals and the KY F-Body Club.

www.kyfbodies.org (http://www.kyfbodies.org)

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Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, STB, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley filter and Mallory polished MAF ends.

Louisville, KY

naaa you dont have to get it repainted!!!! dont mess with the zaino z-5 you will be there waiting for that to take the scratch out forever... just go to your local autozone, wal-mart,etc. and get some 2000 grit wet or dry sandpaper, if they dont have 2000 get the 1500 and sand on the scratch with soapy water. but not for to long you dont want to sand through the clear. after you sand out the scratch get some 3M swirl mark remover and buff out buy hand...I have been painting cars for 10 years.

Wow, someone stuck an F-Bodies unlimited card in my window while my car was parked in my driveway...

Was it you? A Black SS in sycamore creek?

http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif I checked out the site, pretty cool stuff...

And as far as the reply about the sandpaper, I may try that but I think I am a little nervous for that yet...

Chris, it wasn't me but I have placed my fair share of cards around. The KY club has alot of great folks in it. I've been in it since it began. If you want you can bring your car by and let me take a look at it. I live off Hikes Lane. E-mail me if you want and I'll send you a map showing where I live. I've been helping folks with Zaino for over 4 years.

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Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, STB, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley filter and Mallory polished MAF ends.

Louisville, KY

Sounds good man!

I am going out of town for a week though, me and my brother both own Camaro SS's we are going to join up. http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif

I have been checking out your forums, ALOT of familiar names from the track *cough* joe riggs

Riggs is quite a character. He is having a get together for the 4th at his house (in Elizabeth, IN, past the gambling boat). Come on up and meet some of the people.

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Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, STB, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley filter and Mallory polished MAF ends.

Louisville, KY

Chris, I also had a scratch on my driver door
just below the glass. I could slightly feel it with my fingernail. I used detailing clay
with lots of lube and light pressure and it took it right out without a trace. Chiselmonkey may be right. If your scratch is too deep, sandpater may be your only alternative. 3M makes a product called FineCut that is a very fine creamy rubbing compound that is less abrasive than even the white compound from Turtle Wax. If you use it just use your finger to rub it with to avoid making the area larger than necessary. Good luck!

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BobK. Red 98SS Conv.

Jeez guys, you live dangerously!

If you cannot catch your nail in the scratch (and often times even if you can) you do NOT need to wet sand! You are just creating more work for yourself.

Try a swirl remover or fine cut polish from 3M or Meguiars. It may take some extra effort by hand, but if you wet sand you will need a buffer and other compounds to get the finish back in shape.

Even if you have a deep scratch you can often repair it by cleaning it thoroughly and laying in some layers of clear with a fine tip brush. When the scratch is filled, lightly wet sand with 2000 to get the surface smooth and buff to gloss. This technique can produce near perfect to perfect results.

Wet sanding scratches out just makes your clear coat in that area that much thinner. That should be you last resort. Buffing still removes some clear, but not nearly as much.

If you get Z5 to work for you, I'm glad. Never worked for me.

Jeff