Soliciting Opinions

[slick61]

last weekend, a car sideswiped mine while parked. Looks like their mirror scraped along the drivers door about 12" & across the fender blister about 12", as well as some scuffing on the lower fender & scraping on the wheel.



Am hoping I can gently work the damage out.



I thought I'd start with clay, & see how much of the traded paint/plastic that will remove. If that doesn't work, I thought I'd progress to Meguiar's #80 (speed glaze) on the PC. If that doesn't work, then it's on to Meguiar's #83 (DACP). Beyond that, I'll probably take it to a pro.



If anyone has any suggestions for an alternate plan, fire away.



BTW, it's a 2004 Saturn Vue (Rainforest Green). I guess I should be thankful for the polymer panels. Damage probably would've been a lot worse if it was sheetmetal. I washed it last night & most of the scratches on the lower fender disappear, so it seems to be confined to the clearcoat. The wheel damage is another story...

 

[Ben Kenobi]

I was looking to see if you had an update on your saga, what about the young lady's insurance? Not going to take it to a shop at all? I'd try what you're suggesting but don't let the wheel issue slide. She should at least buy you a new one for all the grief she has caused.

 

[slick61]

I was looking to see if you had an update on your saga, what about the young lady's insurance? Not going to take it to a shop at all? I'd try what you're suggesting but don't let the wheel issue slide. She should at least buy you a new one for all the grief she has caused.

My claims agent said he'd get back to me by the end of the week. Still haven't heard anything as of yet. It's such a bizarre situation. I can't figure out why the gentleman filed a claim, & when it happened it seemed like he was almost accepting responsibility for everything- although that may be a result of how aggressive/hostile the girl was.



According to his claims agent, there was no physical/vehicle contact between his car & the girl's. His story (to his insurance company) was that he stopped (somewhat suddenly) for the light/traffic & next thing he knew the girl pulled up beside him & started yelling that he caused her to hit another car (mine). My claims agent managed to reach her & she told him that she was "just a witness" (LIAR!). Now, she's no longer taking calls. So now it comes down to he said/she said. Am not sure how aggressively my insurance company will pursue this. If it comes back to MY insurance company, will probably just take care of it myself as the damage probably won't exceed my deductible. I THINK I can get all the damage out of the paint, & have priced a new wheel online. Am not happy about it, but it's life in L.A. And it's the third time one of my cars has been hit (while parked) in the last two years.



Regardless, I want to try & do the "restoration" work myself. I've worked with too many so-called "detailers" over the years who just grab a rotary & any old pad & compound- and just go to town. I don't trust them to take the requisite time & care to do it right, i.e. start out with the LEAST aggressive process & work up from there. Meguiar's HQ isn't too far from me, I may drop in & seek Mike Phillips' advice.

 

[Ben Kenobi]

I never thought about the hack jobs in your area. A wise thing to tackle it yourself then. Mike Phillip's is certainly a man who'd I seek out for advice, his work is excellent. Good luck I hope she gets nailed for the cost of your wheel. Don't worry she'll get hers someday, funny how Karma is. Please keep us filled in on what happens.