Scratch

[Peterbrake]

Bought my Tenorite grey CLS 250 shooting brake 6 months ago, I love it, it seemed unmarked at first however as time has gone by a long scratch has gradually started to appear along the near side passenger door, now I know I haven’t scratched it myself so I am guessing the selling dealer whilst prepping the car has used some sort of temporary scratch cover up such as a coloured T Cut and over time has been washed out because of my obsessive cleaning. I am not in a position to get the side of the car repainted but can’t live with the now very visible scratch, my question is what would be the best option to sort the problem.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Can you feel the scratch with your fingernail?

 

[AMGeed]

As above, if you can feel the scratch with your fingernail the only solution is to respray the door.
If you cant feel it, it may polish out with a polisher and cutting paste.

 

[mancman]

Claim on your insurance if it’s bothering you.

 

[Gazwould]

Line it in / build it up with lacquer , flatten back and mop ?

 

[s5tuart]

I'd try something like Meguiars Ultimate Compound on one end of it to see if it might polish out.

 

[Rotorhead500]

As you've identified, the selling dealer probably got his valeter to polish using a product with fillers in - had the same with mine.

If a light cutting compound (something like a Farecla G3 product), followed by a polish doesn't do the job, find a recommended local car detailer and get them to cast their eye over it. As said above, a careful touch-up followed by MOP may well do the trick. (Especially if dealer was able to mask it with filler "polish").

 

[Peterbrake]

Thanks for the replies, the scratch is quite deep I can feel with my finger nail and I’ve tried cutting compound to no avail, getting scratch touched in and mopped maybe an option but I’m a bit anal and I think I would always see it so I will get some T Cut coloured scratch remover and do the best I can as a temporary job, after all it seems to have worked for 6 months from when the supplying dealer scammed me as being unmarked, in a couple of months I’ll be in a position to get the door painted.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Thanks for the replies, the scratch is quite deep I can feel with my finger nail and I’ve tried cutting compound to no avail, getting scratch touched in and mopped maybe an option but I’m a bit anal and I think I would always see it so I will get some T Cut coloured scratch remover and do the best I can as a temporary job, after all it seems to have worked for 6 months from when the supplying dealer scammed me as being unmarked, in a couple of months I’ll be in a position to get the door painted.

You'll be surprised what a good detailer can do with touch-up paint, MOP & refining. Well worth an enquiry, I think.

 

[Peterbrake]

You'll be surprised what a good detailer can do with touch-up paint, MOP & refining. Well worth an enquiry, I think.

I’m going to try T Cut today if that fails I shall take your advice Thanks

 

[Peterbrake]

Tried Coloured T Cut……..useless I’m going to try a detailer, I decided to give a deep clean and wax to the rest of the car and looks great except for that damn scratch

 

[drcarrera]

Dark grey boot polish may be worth a try (rub in, then polish, then go over with wax or whatever top coat you use to blend in). Though not a permanent fix it may cover it up for a few months / washes, then do it again. I used it on my dark grey golf a few years ago when it had been lightly keyed and it worked a treat. Was older and less shiny than yours though so may not match in quite as well.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Tried Coloured T Cut……..useless I’m going to try a detailer, I decided to give a deep clean and wax to the rest of the car and looks great except for that damn scratch View attachment 76792

I do like that colour, especially on a CLS! Hope you get it sorted to your satisfaction Peter.

 

[Peterbrake]

Dark grey boot polish may be worth a try (rub in, then polish, then go over with wax or whatever top coat you use to blend in). Though not a permanent fix it may cover it up for a few months / washes, then do it again. I used it on my dark grey golf a few years ago when it had been lightly keyed and it worked a treat. Was older and less shiny than yours though so may not match in quite as well.

What a great idea I’ll give it a go I’ve got nothing to loose, thanks.
I’ll keep you posted when I find some dark grey polish