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My guys scratched a customer's paint job while applying graphics. The scratches were made with scissors and were very noticable in the photos, but we failed to notice them after they were applied. I haven't seen them first hand, but the guys tell me they were not that deep.
Any suggestions on fixing this mess?
-------------------- Jeff Poitevint Sign-A-Rama Augusta 4015-M Washington Rd. Martinez, Ga. 30907 706-364-6393 augustasigns@comcast.net www.augustasigns.com Posts: 102 | From: Augusta, Ga. | Registered: May 2004
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Without more info., wet sand 600 to 1000 grit "wet or dry" sandpaper, polish by hand or with eletric buffer and rubbing compound, then clean and wax.
Again, don't know the size of area scratched, how close to graphics,etc. !
How did the scisors come in to play?
Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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The scissors were used by an inexperienced idiot of mine (last name Focker - go figure). I should have not allowed them to apply such a complex job without supervision.
I was going to try the same process as you suggested to remove the scratches. I just wanted confirmation I was on the right track. Thanks...
-------------------- Jeff Poitevint Sign-A-Rama Augusta 4015-M Washington Rd. Martinez, Ga. 30907 706-364-6393 augustasigns@comcast.net www.augustasigns.com Posts: 102 | From: Augusta, Ga. | Registered: May 2004
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Jeff...I agree with Roger's advice BUT...I'd try hand rubbing with a super fine rubbing compound first then work up to more aggressive materials if the fine polishing compound doesn't work.
By the way...I use scissors to cut larger lettering jobs into more "bite size" chunks sometimes too. And I bought a nice pair of rounded nosed scissors for just that reason. Less chance of accidentally marking the surface of the vehicle or vessel
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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3-M makes Finessit-it 2 compound. It's very light, and does an excellent job. You can hand rub, or buff. Heat from friction makes it work better.
-------------------- David R. Corbin Yipes Graphics 36 Haas Dr. Englewood, Ohio 45322 937-836-9473 dcorbin@yipesgraphics.com Posts: 3 | From: Englewood/Dayton Ohio | Registered: Nov 2004
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Jeff you dont say how deep the scratches are...like can you feel your fingernail stick in one when you drag it over them?is the inside of the scratch a visibly different color than the finish? what kind of vehicle,what kind of material is it painted with,is it on a metal,plastic,aluminum or fiberglass piece? Not that you shouldnt try to sand it and polish it,only that some clearcoats now cure so hard 2000 grit scratches are almost impossible to get out. Stuff like the Finesse IT works,but one of the main mechanisms it works thru is constant heating of the surface while you work it at a slower rpm for awhile,you could easily wind up with a visibly different looking spot there than the rest of the finish.....i would consider what roger asked you and also this,if the guy was acting the fool with a pair of scissors the last thing i would give one of them is something turning 1500-2500rpm's right next to what i just applied,not to mention that crap is going to splatter everywhere so youre going to have to mask it off,maybe its a digital print the stuff wont agree with,they could sand too deep and make it worse,put burn marks in it in other places with the buffer if they dont tear the graphics off with the edge,or if its aluminum or reallly thin sheet metal warp the panel by leaving the buffer in one spot too long. Doing it by hand you may be there next year at this time. What i would do in all honesty is bring it to a detail shop and see if they would do it,if they say they dont want to fool i sure wouldnt let my guys try it,much better to spend a little and have someone else do it that will take further liabilty than throw more of a wrench into the monkey by having murphys law visit while trying to do the right thing. I would rather make $100 instead of $200 than spend $400 redoing everything.just $.04
-------------------- Gavin Chachere Plotter in the garage,New Orleans La.
"Sgts Shugart and Gordon again request permission to rope down to crash site two" Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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