Hello all --

I'm new to the list. I just bought my 2001 CR-V last month. I really like
it. It's a great car and is so much fun to drive. I got it with a 5-speed
so I have no complaints about engine power or pick-up. The 5-speed is a joy
to drive. Honda really makes fantastic manual transmissions -- I don't know
why anyone would buy an automatic Honda.

Well anyway, some goober in a parking lot just last night put a heck of a
scratch on it that goes across two doors (grrrrrr...probably a Ford
Excursion or something). How do you guys propose taking a scratch like that
off? I think it may just darn near rub off but I wanted to know from you
longer-term Honda pros how you would go about taking it off. Back in the
old days you'd get some rubbing compound but I don't know what you do with
these new finishes on cars these days.

It really hacks me off that this happens less than a month after I bought
it! And, of course, it's the first real new car I've ever owned. Sigh.

Thanks for any advice...

Tom Spencer

I would try "POLISHING COMPOUND" not "rubbing compound". I would not use a
polishing/buffing machine, just old fashioned hand power.
Wash area with a good car wash, placing your "finger" through a soft cotton
cloth, apply a small amount of the polishing compound on the cloth.
Rub-into the scratched area (CIRCULAR MOTION), remember to concentrate on
the scratch only. Buff with a clean cloth, check, and repeat as necessary.
TAKE YOUR TIME, may take awhile, DON'T RUSH for success!!

I didn't hear you say it was a scratch down to the METAL, if that is the
case, I would try Honda touch-up paint then hand polish with Polishing
Compound after the paint dries. You will be trying to ""level"" and
""smooth" the touch-up paint with the surrounding paint after application.
TAKE YOUR TIME, may take awhile, DON'T RUSH for success!!

After completing either of the above steps, apply a good vehicle wax. I
prefer Eagle One Wet Look (FREQUENT USE), "Consumer Reports" rates Nu-Finish
and Zymol at the top, I have used both with excellent results.
NOTE: I have removed very minor scratches by applying the above waxes, and a
LOT of elbow grease (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) They have scratch hiding fillers, but when the wax
wears off you see the scratch again, re-apply the wax!

A professional buffer may be needed if after trying the aforementioned
techniques you are not successful. I do not recommend electric buffer use
by the novice, severe burning and damage to the paint can occur, leave it to
the professional detailers.

LAST RESORT: To the paint and body shop for a spot or repaint of the
affected area. NEVER been pleased, over spray and they can never match the
Honda factory spray pattern. I have had TOTAL vehicle repaints that were
excellent, but door and panel repaints rarely produced satisfactory results.

Hope this helps,
SALTMAN

Yes, our 2000 SE has many a scratch too, mostly surface coat, and one big
touch up where a chunk (yes CHUNK) of paint was knocked off in an accident
(not my fault-idiot blew a stop sign and busted the front tire off the
axle.)
If it's a surface coat scratch, Turtle wax has color specific scratch repair
stuff-haven't tried it yet, but it looks good.
And remember, after the CRV has lived it's life and goes to the scrap yard,
it's just another chunk of metal!


L

LOL Larry, My 1999 CR-V EX 5-Speed has a few knicks and scratches, all
repaired by me, not perfect. The white color doesn't show the water spots,
scratches, and dents like the darker colors, a real plus.

The main thing is to enjoy the CR-V before the "bone" yard, but those first
""minor"" mishaps are unnerving for many.

HOPE THEY STAY MINOR!!
Two gals at work have had moderate accidents, 1998 and 2001 Honda Accord EX
4 doors, the 1998 had $8000 of repaired damage, the 2001 had $4000 of
repaired damage. I looked them over closely after the repair work, both
were entirely repainted. The 1998 even looks better than before, but
neither car will EVER be what it once was. The unit body construction
twisted on both, ever watch those crash tests. The cars were repaired by the
best in the business here, but they can't do miracles. Rattles, leaks, and
squeaks on both, sad but I would sell both immediately!!!!

Modern vehicles are built to crumble in moderate collisions in an effort to
protect the driver, much better than the tanks we thought were safe in the
'40s and 50's (REMEMBER THE STEEL DASHES!, SUICIDE DOORS!).

SALTMAN

Thomas, I have a couple of things to suggest:

1. Take it to your Honda Dealer's body shop. They may do it for no
charge - my dealership did it for me, took them about 5 minutes with a
professional polisher, and there is absolutely no sign of where it was.

2. After the dealership did such a nice thing for me, I thanked them
profusely, bought them a box of donuts, then went out and bought my own
polisher (a Porter Cable random orbit), which came with Meguire's product.
Since then, I have been able to keep the finish in showroom condition (actually,
I think it's even better than showroom shine! :-)

Good luck, and enjoy your new Honda - probably one of the best purchases
you will ever make!

- Rod

Honda really makes fantastic manual transmissions -- I don't know
why anyone would buy an automatic Honda. 


Tom Spencer
 
I bought an automatic because I have arthritis, and cannot drive a stick shift.
 
Sorry about the scratches to your CR-V.
 
Marti

Been tellin' them here for some time, the 5-Speed is the "only" choice as identified by "Car and Driver". 
One day the automatic may be a required choice, arthritis is a heritable trait in my family too.  SORRY, but like vehicles, even the best of us end-up in the bone yard!
 
SALTMAN
http://www.bsalt.com

...and you young V owners have to understand that we older owners just
don't want to shift gears unless we decide to purchase a sports car. I
bought my V because I shifted a manual tranny for 15 straight years and
now it was time to cruise around comfortably. It was time to quit
"racing" around town proving how fast my vehicle will go on public roads
and getting those speeding tickets...or worse. Yes a manual tranny
makes your car go faster...but faster is deadlier. I know my age is
showing...but you will all feel this eventually. Sorry guys.
ps: About the scratch thing. When you use polishing compound won't you
remove the very thin couple of coats of clear coat that protects your
base coat?