How to repair scratch on outer finish

[Pops]

On the 2005 Safari I need to repair a long and deep scratch that rolled up the clear coating.
What will I need to do?

[Silvertwinkie]

As far as I know, there are 4 ways:

1) Replace the sheetmetal (not recommended)
2) Strip and clear coat it depending on how deep.
3) Buff (also depends how deep)
4) Live with it?

[alan.cable]

What brand of clearcoat do you use?

[drbrick]

We do a lot of Boondocking in the forest of British Columbia. One of the draw backs is the fact that branches and bushes love to reach out and grab the sides of our AS. While these are not through the coating they are none the less obvious scuffs. What we have discovered is any high quality acrylic or ceramic auto polish does a great job of filling and hiding the deep scuffs.

[Fufund]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

As far as I know, there are 4 ways:

1) Replace the sheetmetal (not recommended)
2) Strip and clear coat it depending on how deep.
3) Buff (also depends how deep)
4) Live with it?

You nailed it, Silvertwinkie ! May I propose a 5th?

5) Hide it!

I've tried finessing a deep, into the Aluminum, scratch or two (prior owner placed, of course ;-) and for me the basic problem is that the underlying aluminum has a grain to it...a polished spot stands out like a sore thumb and attempts to re-create the grain have fallen short as well...

Two examples:
A sticker (unfortunately, not quite big enough) to cover the infamous THOR INDUSTRIES viliform creating / aluminum eating "sticker"
AND
a large 4"x7" American Flag in cast Aluminum (found on Amazon and bent ever so slightly to follow the curve of the Airstream)....luckily, the extremely deep gouge in front of the SAFARI emblem was in just the right place to be "hidden" as if it was factory stock.

[Mollysdad]

I had an ugly scratch when an awning arm took a swipe at me. (That's another story)
It wasn't through the clear coat, so I used Simichrome, a white cotton handkerchief, my index finger, and a generous amount of patience.. NO POWER TOOLS.

It was almost cathartic, sit there and rub, wipe, repeat. But, the scratch is gone, and there's no swirl marks.