Help with scratch fix options.

[Tom S44]

Hello, I am trying to fix a scratch on my 2013 Gray G37 Coupe. Not sure which of the 4 options I should go with. I am not a pro at this and have limited experience. Can someone with more experience take a look at the attached pictures of the scratch and advise as to which of the below options will likely create the best result?

My nail does catch in the deeper areas of the scratch, but it doesn't seem that deep. The scratch also doesn't appear to be white and there seems to be paint there.

Options:

1. Lightly wet sand with 3000 paper, followed by meguiars compound, then meguiars polish, and then paste wax.

2. Light 3000 wet sanding of the jagged edges of the scratch, add touch up clear coat followed by option 1 above.

3. After light 3000 wet sanding of the jagged edges of the scratch, place a single coat of touch up paint followed by a single layer of clear coat and then proceed to option 1 above.

4. Only use meguiars compound, polish, and then paste wax.

Thank you for your help.

https://ibb.co/fNJrHo

https://ibb.co/cKBHq8

https://ibb.co/gZ7e3T

https://ibb.co/c0sU3T

note that the line on the left is a door protector and not a scratch.

 

[deadlyapp]

Honestly I'd start with 4 and work your way up to see if you can get it without any sanding. More work, but less risk of screwing something up.

Or spend the $100 or so and have a professional body shop take a look at it.

 

[mindless1]

Metallic (silver?) is hard to color match DIY with touch-up paint, I would assume any paint you add will be more visible than leaving it unpainted.

I wouldn't even use compound yet, instead just polish on a cotton swap in a drill, then wax, and if it's too deep you can strip the wax off and clear coat.

 

[Tom S44]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will start with polish and work my way up to compound for now per your advice. Leaning towards going to a body shop if I don't get results with those two, or possibly extremely light and tight sanding first. I will update when done.

 

[Midwayman]

Haven't tried it myself, but I've heard a lot of good stuff about dr color chip.