Small Scratch

Hello,


I have a small scratch on my brand new '08 Hyundai.

The scratch is on the side of the drivers side door. I opened it a
little to far and bumped something.

Do you think that I should buy touch up paint to seal it to prevent
rust?

The scratch took the paint off and I can see silver and my car is
black.

 

If what you see underneath is the primer, then there's no issue beyond the
cosmetics. If you see bare metal, then it's important to apply some sort
of paint ASAP.

 

How can I tell if it's the primer or the metal?

Sorry but I'm new to car paint etc.

 

Take a very close look with a magnifying glass if need be. Bare metal is
shiny, primer usually has more of a gray color to it. I'd protect it
anyway.

 

I'd touch it up. The clear coat relies upon the integrity of the coating
and chipped edges are invitations for moisture intrusion, etc. As well,
primers will absorb moisture when exposed. Epoxy primer won't but I doubt
they use epoxy primer on the car. A careful brush touch and all will be
well.

 

Agreed.

 

Ok thanks to everyone for the advise.

Even though it's new, I guess that I will take a chance and touch it
up. I just don't like the fact that it might not look right when I'm
finished.

 

It definitely won't look perfect, but if you do a neat job, it'll look
better than what's there presently.

 

Where does one find touchup paint and the kits? My Elantra has a few bumper
scratches, too.

 

Dealers generally have color matched touch up enamel. Aftermarket stores do
as well, but I don't know if they will have Hyundai colors. It would be
worth checking with Advance Auto, Pep Boys, etc.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I think even an arthritic klutz like me can
handle a little touchup job. I hope.

 

You can. Just take your time and don't try to do it all in one dab. Use
only a little bit on the end of the brush and dab it on gently. You'll find
that if you don't blob a full brush on that it's not too hard to get a
decent blend. Just don't try to blend it out into the surrounding paint, in
order to make it disappear. It won't. Dabbing just small amounts on in
order to fill the affected area to the point where they fairly well match
the surrounding area will give you the best results.

 

Hi John;

Here is a hint .. When touching up automotive paint chips, do not use
that little brush that is built into the "touch-up" paint bottle..
That will almost always give you too much paint for small chipped
areas.. Instead, get a matchbook of old fashioned paper matches.. Tear
a match out, and using the torn end, take your paint off the little
brush in the touch up paint bottle and use the match end to apply your
paint. If you find the paint level is too low in the chipped area,
wait for it to dry, and touch it up again, using a new match.

This is an old auto body shop technique for touching up those tiny
paint chips without getting blobs of paint on the area.

hth,
JM

 

The new Hyundai paints are in the form of a pen, rather than a bottle with
brush. I haven't attempted to use one yet. It appears to have colored
paint on one end and clearcoat on the other.

 

So do you put the color on and let it dry for a day and then the clear
coat on top of the color?

 

That would be my presumption.

 

Thanks for the advice. I inspected the damage a little more carefully in
the sunlight today, and in addition to the straight-line scratches (which
seem to go down to the primer), the clearcoat only appears to be have been
rubbed off in a few other spots. I think this job might be a little bigger
than I initially estimated.

 

HT et al;

Yes it's a pen, but with a fiber tip. I have a black one (Ebony Black) from
my old 06 if the op wants it...I'll check and see if it's still in my garage
when I get home.

Steve

2008 Hyundai Sonata SE- His
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee- Hers
1997 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE- Ours

 

Yup - it is. I do it myself sometimes. I disagree with not using the
included brush though. You can easily wipe enough off on the lip of the
container to make it work very well. It will work just a nice as a match.

 

Read the bottle. It will probably tell you to put the clear on within 20
minutes or so. Follow the directions on the bottle. Don't try to second
guess this stuff, or you'll have clear coat peeling off in no time.