Detailing Gurus I need some advice

FactorX81 · 10-09-2014, 01:50 PM

A cyclist scraped the side of my wifes car the other day. It is about 7in long on the fender. It seems pretty deep in that it catches my nail and in the seemingly deepest section I see red surrounded by white(maybe fully through the clear). Now I am a novice at this stuff I have a PC7424(light duty I know) should I try to get these out myself or take it to a body shop. The metal does not seem deformed however the scratch is right at the wheel arch. The upsetting part is the car only has 6000 miles on it.

cheshirecat79 · 10-09-2014, 02:30 PM

Generally, if your nail catches, you're dealing with a very deep scratch that has most likely penetrated all the way to the metal. Here's your strategy:

- Wash the area
- Use a clay bar to pull off any contaminants that have been pushed into the paint.
- Now that your surface is clean, judge the damage. If the white that you see has been removed and all you see if maared paint, polish. If the white is still there, you move on to...
- A pain in the ass touchup job that you will most likely hate
- A respray of the panel that may/may not match with the rest of the vehicle.

IMO, clean the panel with the claybar and if you still see bare metal/primer, take it to an auto body shop and see what they say. Repair of that type is not for amateurs (no offense intended, I wouldn't touch it myself).

Kgolf31 · 10-09-2014, 02:34 PM

A good portion of that almost looks like paint transfer, unless the pictures are deceiving.

You can hit it with your PC and it will certainly reduce the eye-soreness of the scratch (Basically by polishing you'll round off the edges of the scratch to prevent light from hitting off of it harsh).

If that doesn't work, someone can try wetsand and/or respray

FactorX81 · 10-09-2014, 03:29 PM

Yeah it doesn't look like it got through to the metal but I doubt my PC would do it justice. This was done likely by a brake lever or exposed handlebar end. It was an old crappy bike some old delivery dude was riding.

lastMleft · 10-09-2014, 03:58 PM

I would have him (the biker) pay for a professional repair, but then I am anal when it comes to cars.

Dackelone · 10-09-2014, 04:18 PM

@FactorX81 take it to a good detailing shop. Maybe, just maybe it can be polished out. But it looks deep. You could claim it under your insurance comp plan.

A friend of mine car was involved in a hit(scratch) and run on his 1er hatch... He was really pissed! He was able to polish most of the scratches out - himself!! Take a look. IF you want a perfect look/job.... get your car painted. You could always first try a polish job first, and see how it comes out.

FactorX81 · 10-09-2014, 07:37 PM

took it bye a local body shop and they buffed it and got it about half way there but the guy said it would require paint and cost about 800. He covered the deep part of the scratch with a small amount of clear and said to bring it back in the spring this way the repair would fix any winter issues that happen.

Does a comprehensive claim have a time limit should I just get it done now or wait like he said?

10-09-2014, 01:50 PM	#1
FactorX81 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 363 Posts Drives: 2010 135i, 2014 Ford Escape Ti Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Detailing Gurus I need some advice A cyclist scraped the side of my wifes car the other day. It is about 7in long on the fender. It seems pretty deep in that it catches my nail and in the seemingly deepest section I see red surrounded by white(maybe fully through the clear). Now I am a novice at this stuff I have a PC7424(light duty I know) should I try to get these out myself or take it to a body shop. The metal does not seem deformed however the scratch is right at the wheel arch. The upsetting part is the car only has 6000 miles on it. Attached Images
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10-09-2014, 02:30 PM	#2
cheshirecat79 Captain 32 Rep 919 Posts Drives: 370z & 135i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Port Saint Lucie, FL iTrader: (0)	Generally, if your nail catches, you're dealing with a very deep scratch that has most likely penetrated all the way to the metal. Here's your strategy: - Wash the area - Use a clay bar to pull off any contaminants that have been pushed into the paint. - Now that your surface is clean, judge the damage. If the white that you see has been removed and all you see if maared paint, polish. If the white is still there, you move on to... - A pain in the ass touchup job that you will most likely hate - A respray of the panel that may/may not match with the rest of the vehicle. IMO, clean the panel with the claybar and if you still see bare metal/primer, take it to an auto body shop and see what they say. Repair of that type is not for amateurs (no offense intended, I wouldn't touch it myself).
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10-09-2014, 02:34 PM	#3
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 459 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	A good portion of that almost looks like paint transfer, unless the pictures are deceiving. You can hit it with your PC and it will certainly reduce the eye-soreness of the scratch (Basically by polishing you'll round off the edges of the scratch to prevent light from hitting off of it harsh). If that doesn't work, someone can try wetsand and/or respray
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10-09-2014, 03:29 PM	#4
FactorX81 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 363 Posts Drives: 2010 135i, 2014 Ford Escape Ti Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Yeah it doesn't look like it got through to the metal but I doubt my PC would do it justice. This was done likely by a brake lever or exposed handlebar end. It was an old crappy bike some old delivery dude was riding.
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10-09-2014, 03:58 PM	#5
lastMleft Major 30 Rep 1,364 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	I would have him (the biker) pay for a professional repair, but then I am anal when it comes to cars.
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10-09-2014, 04:18 PM	#6
Dackelone European Editor 10526 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	@FactorX81 take it to a good detailing shop. Maybe, just maybe it can be polished out. But it looks deep. You could claim it under your insurance comp plan. A friend of mine car was involved in a hit(scratch) and run on his 1er hatch... He was really pissed! He was able to polish most of the scratches out - himself!! Take a look. IF you want a perfect look/job.... get your car painted. You could always first try a polish job first, and see how it comes out. Attached Images __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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10-09-2014, 07:37 PM	#7
FactorX81 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 363 Posts Drives: 2010 135i, 2014 Ford Escape Ti Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	took it bye a local body shop and they buffed it and got it about half way there but the guy said it would require paint and cost about 800. He covered the deep part of the scratch with a small amount of clear and said to bring it back in the spring this way the repair would fix any winter issues that happen. Does a comprehensive claim have a time limit should I just get it done now or wait like he said?
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