How to Fix Scratched Mirror Frame Properly?

[hfwangau]

A few months ago the mirror accidentally hit a post in underground car park, so it caused very minor scratch to the frame.

We bought the Scratch Fix All-in-1
https://www.duplicolor.com/product/scratch-fix-all-in-1-exact-match-automotive-touch-up-paint/

and attempted to fix based on the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB_v8nAXhlE

but after painting by the brush, it looks a bit rough (not applied coat yet), please see the image.
82967

Can you please advise what will be the next step to fix it properly? We wish it could restore to the original state.

Should I sand the rough painted surface firstly then apply coat? (I bought 1200 grit sandpaper)

Or start coat on top of this surface and then sand?

Many thanks!

[MudRunnerTD]

Hi there, that is bad luck.. I would maybe get some finer sand paper too, wet and Dry. rub that but use a sanding block with your paper, sand down to maybe 2000grit if you can then paint again. that should give you a flatter surface finish. Be gentle. it is a small edge. you dont want this to become a Much Bigger Job than it is.

[MudRunnerTD]

Interesting Video, always looks easier than it is. Yes sand block for sure then use the little brush applicator and let it set if you can then the clear coat. Good luck.

[hfwangau]

Hi there, that is bad luck.. I would maybe get some finer sand paper too, wet and Dry. rub that but use a sanding block with your paper, sand down to maybe 2000grit if you can then paint again. that should give you a flatter surface finish. Be gentle. it is a small edge. you dont want this to become a Much Bigger Job than it is.





Thanks for advise.

I have done the following steps this morning:

1. sand it to as smooth as I can feel

2. mask the area properly and used gloss black paint sprayer, 4 coats as advised on the product

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/septone-septone-acrylic-paint-gloss-black-400g/33191.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhP2BBhDdARIsAJEzXlH3Zs9xi v9FW9iogSuVifRmUsDghHHlNNW074r0sv49K7yvFXwdII0aAmz oEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Now it looks smooth, but seems not exact the same texture, nor as polished as the original paint, please see

82980

Can you please advise any chance to make the area I reprinted as much as the same texture as the original colour ?

If so, what will be the next step?

wait for one day to dry and add clear coat?
wait for one day to dry and sand it finely?
wait for one day to dry and polish it?

[MudRunnerTD]

Yeah ok. Looks like a Saturn finch rather than Gloss. Wait a day ans lightly rub then clear coat Gloss

[hfwangau]

Thanks for your advise.

I did wait for a day and also referred

https://itstillruns.com/make-cars-dull-paint-shine-5629459.html

to perform wet sanding using 2000 grit (also for removing the tape line as seen)

however now it looks like

82989


it's smooth but seems like colour coat being wiped off as well?

What's the next step?

perform polishing compound will restore the gloss black?
or
add clear coat?
I try to avoid painting the whole frame, end goal is blending well with the original trim colour.

Thanks!

[MudRunnerTD]

Yoy will struggle to regain the gloss now without rubbing through the colour which would be a disaster. As long as you have not already rubbed through the colour got straight to gloss clear coat top coat mate.

[hfwangau]

Thanks buddy!

Today I applied polishing compound and it looks better.

Before
83006

After
83007

Actually I am fine with the finish like this.

However I am thinking if can even have better finish.

I miss the step of adding clear coat.

If I do:

add clear coat - > sand finely - > polishing compound
or

paint gloss black again - > add clear coat - > sand finely - > polishing compound
will it achieve a better finish?

If so, 1 or 2?

[MudRunnerTD]

If you are using a Gloss Black you could maybe get away without clear coat. And you should have a good foundation now for a nice gloss Black topcoat. Note though, because yoy have now polished it you will need to wet rub then use a wax and grease remover to prep the area again as the polish is a contaminant.

Rub back to etch,
Clean with a prepsol wax and grease remover,
Mask up the area,
Spray a couple of coats of Gloss Black 10 minutes apart.
Let dry.
You should Not have to rub back or polished again. Tye next couple of coats should give you your final finish straight off the can.

[hfwangau]

Thanks mate.

I understand you suggested to have it repainted.

My concerns are:
1. Wet rub here means wet sanding, right?

2. After using masing tape then painting, there will be tape lines, how to overcome this to have it blended with with other areas? I used to San the line but it seems wipe off the colour as well, was it caused by not adding clear coat?

[MudRunnerTD]

Yes wet rub means Wet and Dry paper used wet.

You will have to work to hard edges. This may mean painting the whole mirror on that side which is not really that big a deal and probably what should be done.

Alternatively, paint to the edge corners only. Mask there.

Once painted you could rub the blend line and buff.

Be gentle on any edge though as it is sharper and easy to rub through. Clear would b ot really help avoid this.

Assuming your car is Not Black and only the mirror is black just paint the whole thing, it will never be compared to the other side. No blending needed then. We are now assuming you have a rattle can you are using to paint the whole thing.

[MudRunnerTD]

Just looking at your pics again. Have you tried taking that surround off? Painting off thr car would be much easier

[Bonjes232]

I just want to complete it, my friend, to remove scratches on my car body, there is a recommendation for a similar cleaning here https://gnewscar.com/remove-scratches-car-paint-low-cost/

[garett]

if you fold the masking tape edge over it helps reduce the hard line u get when painting.