Someone keyed my personal vehicle

BOWANNA03

BOWANNA03

New member
Could anyone help me on this one I will post some pics later someone keyed my envoy and I have to turn it in to lease company next month. When you run your finger accross it defiantely has a ridge it is into the paint for sure is there an easy fix for this so I do not have to turn it into the insurance company.
 
Sorry to read about your "keying". Some people are just @#$%^&*!:wall:mad::wall:mad:

Most people think that your entire paint job is ruined if your car has been keyed. There are ways to fix them so they are barely noticable.

If the key scratches haven't gone through the clear and they are fairly shallow, you can probably wet-sand them out.

Start with 800, feathering out toward the edges. Then go to 1000, 1500, 2000. After that you will need to use a medium-to-heavy cut polish with your PC and finally a fine polish.

If the scratches are deep, you can "fill" the scratches with body color touchup paint; just go ahead and lay it on pretty thick. Let dry thoroughly, and start the sanding process listed above. The "in-between" step would be to fill the scratches with clear touch-up paint. You'll have to be the judge of the scratch depth.

I've used both of these procedures and they work well. You need to be PATIENT! Both methods are time-consuming!

Just be careful not to get too aggressive with the sandpaper... you don't want to go through the clear, especially on a leased vehicle!!! The dealer will charge you a GRAND for a "re-paint" and then use the same method I described above!!!

Good luck!;)

Here are a couple articles:

Car Scratch Repair: Step-by-Step DIY Auto Mechanic Guide - Popular Mechanics
One TUFF MOTHER of a Scratch Repair - Autopia.org
 
BOWANNA03 said:
Thanks I appreciate it were would be the best place to get that touch up paint from.
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I usually buy mine at Advance Auto Parts or O'Reilly. It's Duplicolor brand, and you need the "paint code" off the door sticker. (The paint code is on a sticker, but it's in different places on different cars. Your owners manual will tell you where your paint code is located.)

You can buy touch up from the dealership, but you'll pay 3-4 times more for it.
 
BOWANNA03 said:
Thanks I appreciate it were would be the best place to get that touch up paint from.
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:cool: I purchase mine thru Automotive paint & supply this is a local company but I'm sure you have something similar in your area. Look in Yellow Pages under AUTOMOTIVE then look for paint&supplies they will get you an exact match.
I'm very sorry to here of your keyjob...I would rather be punched in my face:cool: than have a coward resort to this. Good Luck...:cool: :dcrules
 
great so more or less what I should be doing is doing multiple layers of paint until it exceeds the depth and goes above the original paint and just wet sand it until it is flush again and then compund and polish until reaching the finish needed.
 
BOWANNA03 said:
great so more or less what I should be doing is doing multiple layers of paint until it exceeds the depth and goes above the original paint and just wet sand it until it is flush again and then compund and polish until reaching the finish needed.
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That's right. You just summarized in one sentence, what it took me 7 paragraphs to say!!!!;)
 
first try polishing to see how much you can correct before paint ... sometimes without the proper technique , which is a time consuming trial and error, it can look worse than before. As Bill said, this takes time and patience besides experience. Also note that all paints don't match up perfect and again it could look worse. IF the keying is that bad, then you might want to contact your insurance company, as that is vandalism and is covered in your comprehensive insurance. After your insurance company looks at it, then it's time to practice and experiment before the body shop ;)
 
:cool: depending on location of scratch the leasing agent may not even notice.Do not do them a favor by detailing before you get ready to turn car in. They expect some wear an tear.More than likely you have taken better care of this vehicle than the average JOE SMOE Good Luck...:cool: :dcrules
 
BOWANNA03 said:
should I compound first then polish
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you can do that ...sometimes you just want to try a small area first with a polish and see what you get ...then move up to the compound and look again ...then move to the sand paper ..etc ....step by step..but I'd go through insurance if it's a lease ;)
 
Poorboy said:
you can do that ...sometimes you just want to try a small area first with a polish and see what you get ...then move up to the compound and look again ...then move to the sand paper ..etc ....step by step..but I'd go through insurance if it's a lease ;)
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:cool: If you have $1000 deduct. like me insurance is out of tha question.although I here some have deduct.of $100-$500 then maybe. but remember what ever body shop est. is YOU have to cover your deduct. before ins. kicks in. + I always have felt I will wait till I have 15 car pile up before I make a claim. I like my ins. as low($$$) as possible. And if you file a claim, get ready for rate increase. :cool: :dcrules
 
the only issue with going through insurance is I have a $500 deductible and do not know if it is worth doing that. Putting a claim in for that amount it woudl be easier to just pay out off pocket prob.
 
BOWANNA03 said:
the only issue with going through insurance is I have a $500 deductible and do not know if it is worth doing that. Putting a claim in for that amount it woudl be easier to just pay out off pocket prob.
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not really, paint work these days can get very expensive very quickly ... if you have no fault there maybe no deductable;)
 
I am in New york also so I could check into it. Thanks for the help also what would be a good starter kit to buy from you everyone on here loves your products I would love to start using them. Thanks for all your help again it is a appreciated.
 
BOWANNA03 said:
I am in New york also so I could check into it. Thanks for the help also what would be a good starter kit to buy from you everyone on here loves your products I would love to start using them. Thanks for all your help again it is a appreciated.
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you are welcome ... we have never made a starter kit or kits in general, because everyone's needs and expectations are different. If you give everyone here an idea of what condition your vehicle(s) are in , whether you will be working by hand or machine, and the expectations you plan on getting, then I think many people including myself could help with a plan. There have also been quite a few threads in my .net forum listed in my signature below that can give ideas of what other people have suggested and started with also. :)
 
I will look into your products I have three vehicles currently and am looking into doing this as a part time gig I have a hitachi buffer and am looking to learn more in depth on the buffing process. Again I do appreciate your help.
 
BOWANNA03 said:
I will look into your products I have three vehicles currently and am looking into doing this as a part time gig I have a hitachi buffer and am looking to learn more in depth on the buffing process. Again I do appreciate your help.
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if you're not that far we will be having a detailing weekend in June ;)
 
Just got a call from one of my friends back home. He is PISSED. His '07 Focus was keyed in the parking garage at work!!! Two scratches...deep ones, at that and about 3" long. He's not happy.
 
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