I’m about to do something crazy…

Eldorado2k

Eldorado2k

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You see this car? It’s got a major problem…

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And no, it’s not that it’s too small, even though it is too small, but that’s beside the point.
The real problem is This.

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It showed up with the left side of the hole open, but the overhanging part on the right sort of developed during the wash & dry, clay, etc… The bottom line is it’s there now and it’s making me cringe like you can imagine.

I’m contemplating doing something I never thought I’d do, I’m thinking of taking a razor blade to that nasty piece of clearcoat and basically ripping off the bandaid.

What would you do??

Btw the Smartcar is 106” inches in total length.
My Cadillac Deville is 207” inches in length.
That’s over 100” inches longer and nearly twice as long!lol. What a trip.

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I'd call Lil' Tykes and ask about their paint warranty on those cars.
 
I forgot to mention, it may actually cost considerably more than you’d think… Because this isn’t your ordinary Smartcar, it’s the Mercedes Benz of Smartcars.lol.

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Short of stripping the offending clear coat and standard refinishing (primer surfacer + base coat + clear coat) which is really the right way, here's what I might try...

- Take a razor blade like you surmised and remove all of the loose clear coat
- Thoroughly scuff the remaining clear coat around the area where it has been removed with something in the 600G-800G range
- Scuff (very lightly) the exposed base coat - I'd use a fine scotchbrite pad for this step
- Spray 2 coats of clear over the missing clear coat area (2K spray can) - You're going to use this clear as you would a primer surfacer in a traditional repair - Allow to dry overnight or longer
- Block sand the applied clear coat to level the repaired and blend area (start with 400G or 600G and finish with 800G or 1000G)
- Thoroughly scuff the remainder of the hood with 800G or 1000G
- Spray 2 coats of clear over the entire hood (2K spray can)
- You could be done at this point - or - you can wetsand and polish if necessary
 
Thanks for the detailed reply.

However that’s a bit over the head of this detail. I cut it off, cringed, and that’s where it’ll lay. I just got done applying lsp to the entire car and as I was I ran into a couple of other spots to remind me of how skim the clearcoat on this car is. There’s a couple of other spots near the headlights that are close to almost starting to peel.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Thanks for the detailed reply.

However that’s a bit over the head of this detail. I cut it off, cringed, and that’s where it’ll lay. I just got done applying lsp to the entire car and as I was I ran into a couple of other spots to remind me of how skim the clearcoat on this car is. There’s a couple of other spots near the headlights that are close to almost starting to peel.
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I agree that my suggestion is a bit beyond the scope of a typical "detail" job.

My suggestion was coming from the painter in me, not so much the detailer.
 
Tell the owner to Plasti dip it would only take 2x cans all smartcars are manufactured by Mercedes Benz, big hit in the UK and you can get AMG version.
 
Tasmania said:
Tell the owner to Plasti dip it would only take 2x cans all smartcars are manufactured by Mercedes Benz, big hit in the UK and you can get AMG version.
Click to expand...

That’s what I’d do.
And really? I didn’t know that! Lol.

So you’re telling me this interior might just be legit? Lol.

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Eldorado2k said:
That’s what I’d do.
And really? I didn’t know that! Lol.

So you’re telling me this interior might just be legit? Lol.

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Click to expand...

Yes they have a very unique interior wait till you see the engine in the back it's tiny, but you can mod these little Euro nuggets up
 
Tasmania said:
Yes they have a very unique interior wait till you see the engine in the back it's tiny, but you can mod these little Euro nuggets up
Click to expand...

Wait, I tried to open up the hood to polish the headlights, but changed my mind and snapped it back in place before fully getting it off because I was afraid I was about to break something. I thought there was an engine underneath there? Lol.
 
Engine is in the back behind the seats on the European model's
Can't say for sure on the US version
 
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