Hey folks,

I got a nasty scratch in my Corolla a couple weeks ago. I did the whole body filler, touch up paint, and clear coat, song and dance. This is my first time doing any kind of auto painting and most of it looks fine but I messed up my taping job by the door handle here.



I didn't think that the paint would be reaching that far up the door, so I taped and papered over the handle, which is why it looks dumb. I was also hoping that the paint would match better but the garage I'm working in is probably a different temp than the factory, which means that the color is just slightly off.

Obviously I would like to fix this nasty tape line.

I'm wondering what my options are here. I was hoping that maybe I can spray a little more paint and clear coat to blend it better but everything I've read says to just deal with it and get on with the sanding. I'm planning on sanding and polishing this weekend to eliminate the orange peel anyway. If you folks have any advice for making this look less like trash I would appreciate it.

I've been around enough internet forums to know how these types of advice requests tend to go, so if you plan to type out a reply calling me an idiot or telling me to do things differently the next time, just skip that step. I'm looking for constructive advice here, I already know that I'm an idiot.

You can't paint to a tape line, it has to gradually blend into the surrounding area.
Even with the exact color it won't match on a taped transistion.
You need to sand it all smooth with a fine grit like 600 or above,
I like 1000. Do the entire panel.
Then tape/mask the entire door off and spray base over that area feathering
it out to the rest of the panel, then clear the entire door.
I know you don't want to do the entire panel but it really is
easier in the long run.
That's the only way to get it right and to have it last.

Just so I'm getting this right.

1. Wet sand the entire door panel with 1000 grit
2. Feather paint over the affected area after taping
3. Clear coat the entire door panel

I hope I got that right because that sounds like its not too difficult.

don't tape on the door like you did last time.
Jay D

Remove the handle first. It takes about 1 minute.