Touch Up Paint Advice

Onepoint8tee

Onepoint8tee

New member
Hey guys, haven't posted in a while, and not too sure if this is the right subforum to post in. If not, please let me know!

Alright so here's the deal. Someone hit me in a parking lot at school (hit and run, I wasn't in my car) back in February, not bad enough to damage the plastic, but enough to take paint right off my bumper. Its right on the rear driver corner. Idiots :wall. I know the proper way to fix this is to take it to a body shop, but I've gotten quotes all above $300 and its just not worth that much to me. I feel like I can touch it up, wet sand, and compound / polish back to something that I can live with.

Pictures: (Sorry they're huge, resizing isn't working.. :()









It's obviously no light damage. Really sucks too, because the paint was great before this. The scratch "rash" has lightened up a fair amount since these pictures because I compounded it by hand for a bit.

My main questions boil down to: What brand of touch up paint have you guys used and liked? Would I need a clear coat over the color? Primer? And last but not least, What steps should I use to make this as good as possible?

Thanks a lot fellas. :autopia:
 
I'd say you definitely want a primer for the color coat to properly bond, definitely want a clear. Ideally you'll want to spray both the color and clear, you can most likely get rattle cans from a dealer.

Have you looked into any mobile painters? Most dealers have someone that comes in weekly to touch up cars on the lot. These guys/girls usually do very good work and don't charge near as much as a body shop. Just an idea for another option
 
Docpeanut said:
I'd say you definitely want a primer for the color coat to properly bond, definitely want a clear. Ideally you'll want to spray both the color and clear, you can most likely get rattle cans from a dealer.

Have you looked into any mobile painters? Most dealers have someone that comes in weekly to touch up cars on the lot. These guys/girls usually do very good work and don't charge near as much as a body shop. Just an idea for another option
Click to expand...
Hmm I'll look into that! Thanks man. Think it'd still be like a hundred through them though?

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
 
The more I think about it the more my gut says get it done by a pro (mobile or body shop). Being that it's on the crease it will most likely be difficult for you to fix unless you've got experience with wet sanding and blending.
 
Docpeanut said:
The more I think about it the more my gut says get it done by a pro (mobile or body shop). Being that it's on the crease it will most likely be difficult for you to fix unless you've got experience with wet sanding and blending.
Click to expand...
Which I definitely do not. Maybe it'll just be worth it whatever the mobile guy will charge. I'd hate to do it and have it look like crap

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
 
Onepoint8tee said:
Hmm I'll look into that! Thanks man. Think it'd still be like a hundred through them though?

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Prob looking around 125-150 through a mobile painter, but they'll color match and get it as good as a body shop. Biggest difference is you'll have your car back the same day, probably within an hour or 2.
 
Docpeanut said:
Prob looking around 125-150 through a mobile painter, but they'll color match and get it as good as a body shop. Biggest difference is you'll have your car back the same day, probably within an hour or 2.
Click to expand...
You know what, I'll just detail a friends car because they usually give me $120ish for a light polish and wax. That'll pay for it.

Also though if anyone has an idea on how do it myself successfully, chime in!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
 
A defect like that will take the wind out of anyone's sail real fast. It's heartbreaking and probably the first thing you see and think of each time you get in the car. It's bad but it will soon be gone.
 
Docpeanut said:
A defect like that will take the wind out of anyone's sail real fast. It's heartbreaking and probably the first thing you see and think of each time you get in the car. It's bad but it will soon be gone.
Click to expand...
You nailed it man. Paint was great before this. Some rock chips, but nothing bad. After this I've gotten a couple dings, and a small scratch or five... grrr. Its like it opened Pandora's box haha

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
 
I can feel your pain; similar situation on wife's car. Found the primer and custom paint, clear coat and supplies would cost about $75.00. Found a mobile that would do it for $100. No brainer on that decision!
 
erobertson said:
I can feel your pain; similar situation on wife's car. Found the primer and custom paint, clear coat and supplies would cost about $75.00. Found a mobile that would do it for $100. No brainer on that decision!
Click to expand...
That'd be ideal if I can pay that much! My Google search yielded nothing, I'll have to check with local dealerships
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top