[NYF32DRIVER]

I have a small chip right under the iDrive controller. Scratch-X won't help this one. Any suggestions ?
Thanks

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by NYF32DRIVER

I have a small chip right under the iDrive controller. Scratch-X won't help this one. Any suggestions ?
Thanks

Look for a new trim piece from a salvaged/totaled car.

[NYF32DRIVER]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Look for a new trim piece from a salvaged/totaled car.

Not an option. It's a small chip. Looking for ideas about repairing.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by NYF32DRIVER

Not an option. It's a small chip. Looking for ideas about repairing.

Might help to cross post this in the detailing subforum.

Is the chip deep? Does it go through the clearcoat? If the wood trim itself below the clearcoat is damaged, I'm not sure how to repair that, and would recommend a vinyl wrap or a new trim piece all together.

If it isn't too deep, you could remove the panel and polish it down to smooth it out some.

[metallicpea]

I've not tried it, but my initial thought would be to fill with clearcoat touchup paint then wet sand, polish and buff???

Not sure the materials are compatible though.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

I've not tried it, but my initial thought would be to fill with clearcoat touchup paint then wet sand, polish and buff???

+1, that's the way to do it.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

I've not tried it, but my initial thought would be to fill with clearcoat touchup paint then wet sand, polish and buff???

Not sure the materials are compatible though.

That should work depending how deep the scratch is. I would fill the scratch with clear until the filled area is slightly above the surface of the scratch...then wet sand with 600, then 1000, then 1500, then possibly 2000 grit paper...polish and hope there is no haze...

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

wet sand with 600, then 1000, then 1500, then possibly 2000 grit paper...polish and hope there is no haze...

There's no need for starting with less than 1000g. For the final sanding 3M Trizact 3000g and 5000g eliminate the need for high abrasive compound.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

There's no need for starting with less than 1000g. For the final sanding 3M Trizact 3000g and 5000g eliminate the need for high abrasive compound.

Depends how much above the scratch mark he goes, but I agree...start with 1000 but I have better luck with up to 2000 and then buffing with compound rather than going 3k and 5k 3m Trizact. I do carbon fiber trim and never go above 2000 grit then rubbing compound and polish. I did these pieces for this M4...

[Billfitz]

I've not done trim, but on pesky little scratches in the paint I've found Trizact 3000 and 5000 work so well that rubbing by hand with Menzerna 2000 and 3500 make for an invisible repair with minimum effort. I use an airbrush to fill the scratch with clear coat, waiting a day for it to fully cure. The sanding and rubbing out takes maybe 15 minutes start to finish.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I've not done trim, but on pesky little scratches in the paint I've found Trizact 3000 and 5000 work so well that rubbing by hand with Menzerna 2000 and 3500 make for an invisible repair with minimum effort. I use an airbrush to fill the scratch with clear coat, waiting a day for it to fully cure. The sanding and rubbing out takes maybe 15 minutes start to finish.

Good to know about scratches and an airbrush! Great idea about the airbrush as well.

[metallicpea]

I like those 3M wet sanding pads too. They are so fine the effort of polish and buff is significantly reduced.

Only other tip is to let the clear dry completely. If it is still soft, a dip will be visible instead of getting a flat result. Real deep fills will take a long time to dry.

[S4NoMore]

Don't bother with trying to wet sand on an interior trim piece, that's a recipe for disaster if you get it wrong or if you make a big mess inside the car - dust, grit, etc.

Since you're looking at somehow filling the chip, take a look at Langka and Dr. Colorchip. With the blob eliminator you can smooth over the touch-up paint (clear or color) very easily. I just started out giving Langka a shot and it is very forgiving to work with, and doesn't take much effort at all.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

Don't bother with trying to wet sand on an interior trim piece, that's a recipe for disaster if you get it wrong or if you make a big mess inside the car - dust, grit, etc.

Since you're looking at somehow filling the chip, take a look at Langka and Dr. Colorchip. With the blob eliminator you can smooth over the touch-up paint (clear or color) very easily. I just started out giving Langka a shot and it is very forgiving to work with, and doesn't take much effort at all.

Whatever you do don't wet sand inside the car. The trim pieces remove very easily. Then you can take them to your work area for best work space and you can maneuver the piece to be worked easier. It never occurred to me, to ever wet sand inside the car. It will make a huge mess for sure and be much more difficult to work on.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

Don't bother with trying to wet sand on an interior trim piece, that's a recipe for disaster if you get it wrong or if you make a big mess inside the car - dust, grit, etc.

True, if you're machine sanding. With something this small it should all be hand rubbed.