My first Scratch!! Advice please

[Aronsonstack]

My Color: '07 Sunset Red

There are so many scratch remover products on the market. Do they work? Which product or brand do you guys recommend? Should I also buy touch up paint? I also see those paint pens that dispensing paint one end, and clear coat the other end.

Do I need to remove the scratch first before putting on touch up paint? I am a complete novice. I will not mind at all if you guys explain to me like I'm 5 years old. I would appreciate any instructions, step by step from A to Z. Thank you so much!

[zebelkhan]

I think you should start by describing the damage first, in as much detail as you can, such as how big it is, where it is, how deep it is, etc...

[Corin]

First scratch is a badge of honor! Let it stay!!!

Unless, of course, it's going to rust below and peel off or something.

I haven't used them, but other people on here seem to think the pens do a pretty good job for the simple stuff. For a deeper or wider gouge, might need something else.

[Aronsonstack]

I guess the best way to describe is with a picture. This is on driver side front door near the bottom. Have not washed my car for awhile, so hope you guys can see it. The longest of the scratches is about 2 inches in length. The shorter lines running parallel are also scratches. The biggest damage area, looks like the paint is gone to me. Damn, I saw the driver in front of me run over a piece of metal debris. I couldn't react in time. When I heard the contact, I just knew it.

[Kris]

Try these links:

http://www.autopia.org

http://www.autopia-carcare.com

http://www.doityourself.com/scat/detailing

http://www.autogeek.net

http://www.detailking.com

Make sure you understand the task before you start doing anything! First of all - do not make the scratch worse! Any doubt - call professional...

[Kris]

Originally posted by Aronsonstack
[B]I guess the best way to describe is with a picture. This is on driver side front door near the bottom. Have not washed my car for awhile, so hope you guys can see it. The longest of the scratches is about 2 inches in length. The shorter lines running parallel are also scratches. The biggest damage area, looks like the paint is gone to me. Damn, I saw the driver in front of me run over a piece of metal debris. I couldn't react in time. When I heard the contact, I just knew it.

[


Seems like the paint is gone.....there is not an easy fix...I would advise get the pro....unless you can live with a fix that is visible....

[Aronsonstack]

Yeah, no need pros. That just wouldn't make sense, considering the fact that there is a greater 50% chance of getting more scratches along the way. It's like my friend who fixed a nick on his front window. After it was done, he got a bigger crack the following week.

I'm just looking for the best patch-up solution possible. Touch up paint?

[njjoe]

Aronsonstack-

That's a pretty big scratch. Too big for "home repair" unless you are experienced. If it were me I would stop by and get an estimate from a local bodyshop. If you consider the estimate to be reasonable then I would let them do it.

-njjoe

[Corin]

Originally posted by njjoe
That's a pretty big scratch. Too big for "home repair" unless you are experienced. If it were me I would stop by and get an estimate from a local bodyshop. If you consider the estimate to be reasonable then I would let them do it.

I would disagree, but it depends on how anal you are about your car and paint job.

2-inch long scratch is on the bottom of the door, you say, which to me means not very visible. You can do the job yourself to seal it, and while it won't look perfect I bet it'd be hard to notice. Especially when you're MO is so dirty anyway!

For ME, I would just seal it up with a touch-up pen or something and be done with it. No need to spend hundreds to get a perfect paint match and everything.