How to repair minor paint scratches?

[911sc79]

There are a few minor scratches on my metallic black 79 SC. Other than that, the paint is in excellent condition.

I have a nephew who is a very good and very trustworthy painter. He owns his own paint shop and has all the skills and equipment to do any kind of repair. Unfortunately, his experience is with "normal" cars like GMs and Toyotas. Is there anything special about painting a PORSCHE? Before I talk with him, I want to make sure I am not getting him over his head.

What paint brands are best?

[Paulporsche]

Glasurit and Sikkens are the factory paints. Your nephew should be able to identify what you have from your paint code and his own data base. Also , it is important to note if you have a one coat or two coat process.

I don't recall anything "special" about painting a Porsche. As w/ all cars, certain colors, like black are more difficult and metallics are the hardest to match.

Maybe you should have him blow some test panels to see how good a match he can get.

[RickM]

IMO, straight Black is the easiest. The metallic component makes it much harder.

Good idea on a couple of samples. However, If he doesn't "subscribe" to the Glasurit or Sikkens paint system then he'll be doing more of a one-off type job.

[911sc79]

What does "subscribe to the Glasurit or Sikkens paint system" mean?

Is there anything different about these paints that make them significantly different to use compared to "normal" paint?

[RickM]

The way I understand it:
Most of the body shops I've been in typically have a mixing room or area where there is a computer contolled mixing system. Not very much different from the type seen at Home Depot or other paint stores. I believe these systems are designed and sold by the paint manufacturers. Each catering to their product line.

When a scan is done, to sample and figure a mixing formula, it matches the results to the closest color recipe in that manufacturers database.

There are nuances between manufacturers and definitely between different types of paint, wether from the same manufacturer or not.

This is not to say that your nephew is not capable of matching the panels and doing a great job. He should be able to look at your car and give you a good idea of what to expect.

Also, keep in mind that there are many qualities of paint. There is no "normal" paint. A search will return alot of info on the subject.

[911sc79]

I just found a label on my car that says that it has a two coat enamel system.

Can you tell me where I can find the label that precisely identifies which paint and color I have?

[RickM]

Is it similar to what's shown below?

From www.paintscratch.com

[RickM]

This thread describes where to look: Paint code location

[911sc79]

I just found my paint number. It is: 708-9-3.

What does that tell me?

[Paulporsche]

Maybe the technique described in the "paint chip repair" thread is the way to go for you.

[Wil Ferch]

If minor scratches are all you're trying to do....do it yourself first with 3M Imperial hand glaze followed by Dri "N Wash......
Takes care of minor scratches in fine fashion.

Rub in "one" direction...never a circle. That way you can't see the inevetiable very small scratches except for a *particular* and *very narrow*angle of view. If you use circles...you'll always see scrarches from any viewing angle !!!

--Wil

[Bob's Flat-Six]

My SC is black metallic that had quite a bit of road rash but otherwise the paint was good with little if any U V damage.

I had the whole front end re-shot after a fender bender last year. Nobody has been able to spot the respray unless I tell them, Almost a perfect match.
They used PPG paint. I asked for a sample before the spaying which was on a card with a hole in it to see your paint thru. I couldn't be happier with the match.
It was a busy shop that the Ins. co refered that did a lot of new cars, MBZ's etc.

I think paint matching has come along way but you still never know. We've had two pannels sprayed on a 98 jeep by different shops. One was a perfect match and the other you can tell in certain light by a cheaper shop.

[911sc79]

Bob's Flat-Six, your car is identical to mine. I think it looks great.

Can you tell me what your paint code is?