Touch-up paint tips?

 A while back, I got too close to the cables in a parking garage and stuck the nose through. Actually thought I was in reverse. Anyway, it put a good scrape in the paint between the bumper and emblem. I don't really want to take it to a body shop just to fix that since the whole body really needs to be done at a future date. I have about 8 ozs of my paint and an airbrush that will spray from 1/4 " to 1 /2" wide. Any chance of making it look presentable? Any tips on the process? I'm sure I'll have to thin down the paint for the airbrush. Any help on the procedure, sanding grits, etc. Or, is this a lost cause? longhorn2942007-10-02 07:18:50

Man, you are way over my head.  This will be an interesting thread to watch as I have two non-vette vehicles in similar shape.

Good luck!

  Yeah, I'm over my head too. I really don't want to do a trial and error thing here. I'm sure someone knows if and how it can be done. Ain't in no hurry

I can't remember what it looks like, but I have seen it, haven't I??
If it is scraped all the way to the 'glass, you'll want to skwert some primer on it first, or the kolor won't stick.
Sand it lightly with 400grit to scuff it, and try to blend in the scrape to the non-damaged area around it. In other werds, try to make it smooth. Then shoot some primer, after masking off around the area far enough to cover the entire scrape. Once primered, and dried, sand lightly with 600 grit, again trying to blend the area.
Reprimer, sand, repeat, using finer sandpaper each time. Once you have it smooth enough to suit ya, wipe it with a tack rag(treated cheese cloth, available at the paint store), and skwert the color on. I would recommend you practice on a piece scrap metal to get the airbrush settings right. Then spray light coats, fanning it out a little at a time to try to blend it into the paint around the damage.
It will be major trial and error, but if ya take your time, you should be able to make it look a little less noticeable....

Now maybe someone that really knows what they're talking about will help!

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]I can't remember what it looks like, but I have seen it, haven't I??
If it is scraped all the way to the 'glass, you'll want to skwert some primer on it first, or the kolor won't stick.
Sand it lightly with 400grit to scuff it, and try to blend in the scrape to the non-damaged area around it. In other werds, try to make it smooth. Then shoot some primer, after masking off around the area far enough to cover the entire scrape. Once primered, and dried, sand lightly with 600 grit, again trying to blend the area.
Reprimer, sand, repeat, using finer sandpaper each time. Once you have it smooth enough to suit ya, wipe it with a tack rag(treated cheese cloth, available at the paint store), and skwert the color on. I would recommend you practice on a piece scrap metal to get the airbrush settings right. Then spray light coats, fanning it out a little at a time to try to blend it into the paint around the damage.
It will be major trial and error, but if ya take your time, you should be able to make it look a little less noticeable....
longhorn2942007-10-02 17:34:30

Any pics to show the extent of the damage?  Please don't take offense, but were it my car I don't think I'd be practicing "trial and error" paint work to save some dough.  I had some minor work done by a shop on my Camaro for about $100.