Deep paint scratch repair in L.A.? :PICS:
#1
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Deep paint scratch repair in L.A.? :PICS:
Got a little deep scratch on my car today while driving and Im looking for recommendations on where to take the car to get repaired.
Can this be done by a mobile guy or would it be best to take it to a body shop?
I know its not a crazy scratch but would just liked to get it repaired.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you
![](http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/phusion974/DSC_3692.jpg)
![](http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/phusion974/DSC_3693.jpg)
Can this be done by a mobile guy or would it be best to take it to a body shop?
I know its not a crazy scratch but would just liked to get it repaired.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you
![](http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/phusion974/DSC_3692.jpg)
![](http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/phusion974/DSC_3693.jpg)
![](http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o245/phusion974/DSC_3698.jpg)
#4
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'14 911S (garage queen) '13 X3 (family hauler)
Sorry about the scar, sucks when this happens.![action](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/action1.gif)
From my experience, a decent detailer/touchup guy can make that look decent and not too noticeable. But if you want it "perfect" it will have to be resprayed.
However, silver is a total biach to get matched on a respray, after two TiAG BMWs I stay away from silver metallic for this reason. Frankly, all metallic paints are hard to match perfectly due to the metal flakes not landing exactly the same as factory--just depends how **** you are. Personally, I'd just have it touched up by a pro and buffed out![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
GL man!
![action](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/action1.gif)
From my experience, a decent detailer/touchup guy can make that look decent and not too noticeable. But if you want it "perfect" it will have to be resprayed.
However, silver is a total biach to get matched on a respray, after two TiAG BMWs I stay away from silver metallic for this reason. Frankly, all metallic paints are hard to match perfectly due to the metal flakes not landing exactly the same as factory--just depends how **** you are. Personally, I'd just have it touched up by a pro and buffed out
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
GL man!
#5
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Agreed with CLK. If it catches your nail when "claw" against it, then it needs to be resprayed. Touchup will still be noticable. Just depends on how "an*l" you are.
#6
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Sorry.....Geeeez how did it happen?? It's inevtible though when you drive a car and use a car. If you only knew the kind of crap flying at you on the freeway!
You can also mask around it, clean the area with alcohol, mix touch-up and thinner, apply several dabs into the gap over drying intervals, add thinner to the sides very carefully with a sable brush, then buff it out. Its a cheaper and reasonable alternative. You have to have patience and a steady hand...
Sorry Carl.
You can also mask around it, clean the area with alcohol, mix touch-up and thinner, apply several dabs into the gap over drying intervals, add thinner to the sides very carefully with a sable brush, then buff it out. Its a cheaper and reasonable alternative. You have to have patience and a steady hand...
Sorry Carl.
#7
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Thanks for all the suggestion guys, I'm probably gonna fill in the scratch as its pretty deep.
Im assuming just that one small section would have to be re-sprayed?
Im assuming just that one small section would have to be re-sprayed?
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#8
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I think im gonna take it to a body shop to have it repaired lets hope they don't charge alot for such a little scratch.
Sorry.....Geeeez how did it happen?? It's inevtible though when you drive a car and use a car. If you only knew the kind of crap flying at you on the freeway!
You can also mask around it, clean the area with alcohol, mix touch-up and thinner, apply several dabs into the gap over drying intervals, add thinner to the sides very carefully with a sable brush, then buff it out. Its a cheaper and reasonable alternative. You have to have patience and a steady hand...
Sorry Carl.
You can also mask around it, clean the area with alcohol, mix touch-up and thinner, apply several dabs into the gap over drying intervals, add thinner to the sides very carefully with a sable brush, then buff it out. Its a cheaper and reasonable alternative. You have to have patience and a steady hand...
Sorry Carl.
A piece of metal flew off a guys truck, and I tried to dodge it by moving left, then I heard a loud thud and I knew something got messed up. I guess its bound to happen one way or another. lol
I have the Dr. Colorchip but I would feel more comfortable taking it to a body shop.
#9
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Sorry about the scar, sucks when this happens.![action](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/action1.gif)
From my experience, a decent detailer/touchup guy can make that look decent and not too noticeable. But if you want it "perfect" it will have to be resprayed.
However, silver is a total biach to get matched on a respray, after two TiAG BMWs I stay away from silver metallic for this reason. Frankly, all metallic paints are hard to match perfectly due to the metal flakes not landing exactly the same as factory--just depends how **** you are. Personally, I'd just have it touched up by a pro and buffed out![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
GL man!
![action](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/action1.gif)
From my experience, a decent detailer/touchup guy can make that look decent and not too noticeable. But if you want it "perfect" it will have to be resprayed.
However, silver is a total biach to get matched on a respray, after two TiAG BMWs I stay away from silver metallic for this reason. Frankly, all metallic paints are hard to match perfectly due to the metal flakes not landing exactly the same as factory--just depends how **** you are. Personally, I'd just have it touched up by a pro and buffed out
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
GL man!
I don't need it to be 100% perfect but I would like it to be at least 90%-95% less noticeable.
I know I'm gonna have a hard time matching the silver, but hopefully an experienced body shop could do the job.
#10
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2010 Irridium Silver MB C63 AMG Sedan
Ya, it catches my nail.
I think im gonna take it to a body shop to have it repaired lets hope they don't charge alot for such a little scratch.
Zephyr, how you been brotha?
A piece of metal flew off a guys truck, and I tried to dodge it by moving left, then I heard a loud thud and I knew something got messed up. I guess its bound to happen one way or another. lol
I have the Dr. Colorchip but I would feel more comfortable taking it to a body shop.
I think im gonna take it to a body shop to have it repaired lets hope they don't charge alot for such a little scratch.
Zephyr, how you been brotha?
A piece of metal flew off a guys truck, and I tried to dodge it by moving left, then I heard a loud thud and I knew something got messed up. I guess its bound to happen one way or another. lol
I have the Dr. Colorchip but I would feel more comfortable taking it to a body shop.
You need to tint when you get a chance. Not a black limo gangsta tint but a light smoke really looks good!!!
Sorry again about the side gouge. Seriously though, I would start with just dabbing some touch up and fade out with thinner and buff, see where it takes you. Then you can always go to a pro shop and they can do their thing if needed. I had a deep gouge and did a great job with just some touch up, thinner, horse hair brush and buffing.
Keep us posted bro....
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'14 911S (garage queen) '13 X3 (family hauler)
Seriously though, I would start with just dabbing some touch up and fade out with thinner and buff, see where it takes you. Then you can always go to a pro shop and they can do their thing if needed. I had a deep gouge and did a great job with just some touch up, thinner, horse hair brush and buffing.
Keep us posted bro....
Keep us posted bro....
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
If you don't have the desire to do it yourself ask your dealer who does their touch up work and have them try first. If you don't like it, then you can always have it sprayed--just word of caution that a respray COULD end up bothering you more. I had to have one of my silver BMWs painted after it was keyed and it looked great to 99% of the people, but when I looked up close during detailing it, I could always see the difference in the paint fleck, just the slightest bit and the shop is one of the best in the area, it's just the nature of the beast on metallic paints. My additional .02.
#13
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Been good my man Carl. Just got a light smoke tint done to the beast (35%) and looking next to a diffuser.
You need to tint when you get a chance. Not a black limo gangsta tint but a light smoke really looks good!!!
Sorry again about the side gouge. Seriously though, I would start with just dabbing some touch up and fade out with thinner and buff, see where it takes you. Then you can always go to a pro shop and they can do their thing if needed. I had a deep gouge and did a great job with just some touch up, thinner, horse hair brush and buffing.
Keep us posted bro....
You need to tint when you get a chance. Not a black limo gangsta tint but a light smoke really looks good!!!
Sorry again about the side gouge. Seriously though, I would start with just dabbing some touch up and fade out with thinner and buff, see where it takes you. Then you can always go to a pro shop and they can do their thing if needed. I had a deep gouge and did a great job with just some touch up, thinner, horse hair brush and buffing.
Keep us posted bro....
![naughty](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
So far I went to 2 body shops and they both quoted me the same price +/- $100. Basically what they had to do was paint both since doors due to paint matching. They quoted me around $700-$800 which I am not prepared to due since its not a crazy scratch to begin with.
So I decided to take it upon myself to repair it.
Stopped by the dealer and picked up some touch up paint w/ clear coat and some 2000 grit sand paper from Autozone.
Gonna go home after work and see what I can do, hopefully it wont be too noticeable after I get done with it.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
^^^this![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
If you don't have the desire to do it yourself ask your dealer who does their touch up work and have them try first. If you don't like it, then you can always have it sprayed--just word of caution that a respray COULD end up bothering you more. I had to have one of my silver BMWs painted after it was keyed and it looked great to 99% of the people, but when I looked up close during detailing it, I could always see the difference in the paint fleck, just the slightest bit and the shop is one of the best in the area, it's just the nature of the beast on metallic paints. My additional .02.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
If you don't have the desire to do it yourself ask your dealer who does their touch up work and have them try first. If you don't like it, then you can always have it sprayed--just word of caution that a respray COULD end up bothering you more. I had to have one of my silver BMWs painted after it was keyed and it looked great to 99% of the people, but when I looked up close during detailing it, I could always see the difference in the paint fleck, just the slightest bit and the shop is one of the best in the area, it's just the nature of the beast on metallic paints. My additional .02.
I would hate to spend alot of money for the respray, and not be satisfied with the work.
I already bought some touch up paint and gonna try to repair it myself.
Good thing I don't have pearlescent paint. lol
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I'm going to post pics soon. Nothing special though LOL .
Before you start sanding away, just becareful. I'd just use a very sharp tipped paint brush or a tooth pick and just dab paint and let it fit the gouge. Then after really dry, brush over it with some thinner to smooth and blend it. Just go slow and becareful!!!! PM me if you any immediate tech support....
Before you start sanding away, just becareful. I'd just use a very sharp tipped paint brush or a tooth pick and just dab paint and let it fit the gouge. Then after really dry, brush over it with some thinner to smooth and blend it. Just go slow and becareful!!!! PM me if you any immediate tech support....
#15
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I'm going to post pics soon. Nothing special though LOL .
Before you start sanding away, just becareful. I'd just use a very sharp tipped paint brush or a tooth pick and just dab paint and let it fit the gouge. Then after really dry, brush over it with some thinner to smooth and blend it. Just go slow and becareful!!!! PM me if you any immediate tech support....
Before you start sanding away, just becareful. I'd just use a very sharp tipped paint brush or a tooth pick and just dab paint and let it fit the gouge. Then after really dry, brush over it with some thinner to smooth and blend it. Just go slow and becareful!!!! PM me if you any immediate tech support....
So after it dries alot I apply thinner over it right?
Any specific type of thinner? (Lacquer thinner, paint thinner etc.)
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this may sound kind of stupid but i would rather have something like that happen to the body than hit the lip of my wheels . i had something similar happen to another set of wheels and i felt like crying .
#17
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I have a few very light scratches here and there which I really don't care for but deep scratches like the one I got yesterday annoy me.
![Frown](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#18
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Go to a hobby or craft store and get a tiny bottle of that Testors model paint thinner or Enamel Thinner. Comes in a tiny bottle so it limits your usage. With a small square soft brush, brush over it a couple times to blend into surrounding paint margins. Just a quick long stroke, and let air dry between. This is after you have filled it with enough touch up paint dabs.
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Ugh man, sorry. Scratches like that drive me nuts!
Had a terrible one on my last car which was black, I did a little touch up with Dr. Colorchip - at least it makes the scratch the same color of your car so it inst so noticeable.
Call Sean who did your mobile PDR about a guy who does mobile bumper repair.
Supposedly this guy will come out to your spot and re-spray right there for a fraction of what a body shop would... I haven't used him but it's worth a shot.
Had a terrible one on my last car which was black, I did a little touch up with Dr. Colorchip - at least it makes the scratch the same color of your car so it inst so noticeable.
Call Sean who did your mobile PDR about a guy who does mobile bumper repair.
Supposedly this guy will come out to your spot and re-spray right there for a fraction of what a body shop would... I haven't used him but it's worth a shot.
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I'm in the bodywork business for over 15 yrs now, touch up wouldn't be such a bad idea but if you plan on getting it resprayed....based on the location of that scratch, any good body shop will be able to color blend that nick for you without having to blend the rear door. Make sure you give them a sample (gas filler cover if possible) so they can match the color via paint code plus do a visual of the sample because you'll need the best color match possible to blend it so close to the rear door in order not to blend the rear door. Silver is not an easy color to blend depending on how much metallic it has in it, but your's can be done without having to blend the rear door. good luck.
#22
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Go to a hobby or craft store and get a tiny bottle of that Testors model paint thinner or Enamel Thinner. Comes in a tiny bottle so it limits your usage. With a small square soft brush, brush over it a couple times to blend into surrounding paint margins. Just a quick long stroke, and let air dry between. This is after you have filled it with enough touch up paint dabs.
Ive heard good things about Langka, but I already have Dr. Colorchip which is pretty similar. I like using that for rock chips.
Ugh man, sorry. Scratches like that drive me nuts!
Had a terrible one on my last car which was black, I did a little touch up with Dr. Colorchip - at least it makes the scratch the same color of your car so it inst so noticeable.
Call Sean who did your mobile PDR about a guy who does mobile bumper repair.
Supposedly this guy will come out to your spot and re-spray right there for a fraction of what a body shop would... I haven't used him but it's worth a shot.
Had a terrible one on my last car which was black, I did a little touch up with Dr. Colorchip - at least it makes the scratch the same color of your car so it inst so noticeable.
Call Sean who did your mobile PDR about a guy who does mobile bumper repair.
Supposedly this guy will come out to your spot and re-spray right there for a fraction of what a body shop would... I haven't used him but it's worth a shot.
I look at the bright side though, it could've been worse.
I'm already filling in the scratch as we speak. If by any chance the door gets more damage (I really hope not) I'll give Sean a call.
I'm in the bodywork business for over 15 yrs now, touch up wouldn't be such a bad idea but if you plan on getting it resprayed....based on the location of that scratch, any good body shop will be able to color blend that nick for you without having to blend the rear door. Make sure you give them a sample (gas filler cover if possible) so they can match the color via paint code plus do a visual of the sample because you'll need the best color match possible to blend it so close to the rear door in order not to blend the rear door. Silver is not an easy color to blend depending on how much metallic it has in it, but your's can be done without having to blend the rear door. good luck.
I'm jut going with the touch up method for now.
When I was doing some paint work on my other car I gave a reputable body shop my gas tank cover and they matched the paint perfectly.
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Yes giving a sample is always your best bet of getting your color matched and also cost lower...less panel they have to blend. For (ex) paint code NY could have 6 different variances...get the wrong variance and you're screwed trying to match that color. You should be fine with a touch up...unless it starts to bug you because you'll always be looking at it because just you know it's there. LOL I've had customers drive me crazy cause they knew it was there.
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Not trying to say anything bad what-so-ever about who does what. Cleer/paint/primer all have their own air dry time and then there's the real time, which alot of customers is not aware of. When your color/sheen fades in a few mthz it's because of this process. For example the cleer I use take 3 days to properly cure(even after baking) before I can rightfully water sand/buff that cleer.