muppet just scraped my car-how to repair scratches + scuffs

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:02 pm

Hi all,

Some silly tart in the petrol station just reversed into me and has caused some scrathes/scrapes and scuffs on my rear arch. Typically, it was the one that didn't have a spot of rust on it! There are also a couple of little dents there but they can be pushed out quite easily.

I want to avoid the dreaded rust and get this to a decent finish and need some suggestions.

I've got loads of wet&dry, some primer and a tin of paint so am ready to do it ASAP (with a bit of advice)!

What's the best process for sorting this out? There's some of her paint on the surface which needs to be removed, and a scratch or two that's gone through the lacquer and perhaps a layer of paint. Should I sand it down first, then prime and paint? What grade wet&dry should I use to get rid of scratches and scuffs?

Any advice would be REALLY welcome!

Can post a couple of pics if someone can tell me how?!!

Thanks in advance,

Si

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:06 pm

If you've never done it before (which you sound like you haven't!) get a pro to do it or get some pactice on some old panels.

Its not easy! and colour match depends on the colour of our car too. How are you painting it you haven't said? rattle can or spray gun? As long as it hasn't gone right through the paint it won't rust between now and sorting out a pro or learning ho to do it yourself.

There are plenty of guides on the net to help you along, but nothing will help you along like practise.

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:08 pm

why are you bothering? get it fixed asap by a professional on her insurance.

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:14 pm

Hi March109, thanks for your reply.

I have done some paintwork before, and have filled some dents and holes on other cars in the past, the paint finish looked fine but didn't feel too good on other cars. Colour is granite silver metallic iirc - i'd call it grey/silver!

Other paint work I've done on this car has turned out fine, but I've not had to deal with scuffs and scratches before - it always makes sense to ask the experts before trying and f'ing it up! Colour match should be ok with a bit of t-cut a couple of weeks down the line if it doesn't look right.

I've got rattle cans to do it with. How do I sort the scuffs and scrapes before covering them with paint?

Cheers.

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:15 pm

fuzzy - can't be naffed with insurance - it's really pretty minor and I took a few quid off her there and then anyway!

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:16 pm

tcut will never help if the colour match is wrong to start with. Why not get the 3rd party to pay???

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:19 pm

Unlucky!

Silvers a bitch to match, id save up and get it done by a pro and while your at it have the other arch with the rust done.

Good luck.

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:22 pm

especially mettalics. put a claim in as well as taking money off her .that will teach her to pay attention when reversing.

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:23 pm

in all honesty i'm not too fussed - colour match has been fine on other bits of paintwork I've done. The car's not mint by any means - it's got 188k and the odd rust spot.

Once I reach 200k we'll start using the mrs golf and mine is going off the road for an engine swap and bringing it back to top condition. Have cut some rust out in the past and only a couple of other bits left, but it'll all get sorted when I take it off the road. Will (over time) be replacing interior, all the running gear and bushes etc etc, and will be making the bodywork mint. But in the meantime, I don't want to invite mr rust to appear anywhere else!

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:27 pm

the silly tart was too busy with her 3 screaming brats!

As I say, I've not had a problem with colour matching in other areas - maybe I've been lucky!

I like to do as much work myself as possible - the zone has taught me so much and I'm not afraid to tackle most jobs (except bloody electrics!) so I'll be sorting the other arch myself. Previous experience and practice is always a good thing in my book - so I want to have a crack at it myself - if it ends up naff then I'll get it all done by a pro when I take it off the road - I'm gonna get a respray then anyway.

Ta.

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:43 pm

march109 - what do you recommend to get rid of the scuffs and scrapes before painting? Would a pic help?

I'd really appreciate your advice!

Post Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:11 pm

Don't suppose ou have a porta cable? that would be my first choice. Then t cut whilst I hate the stuff would help even out the scuffs withought being as harsh as wet and dry paper, you might get lucky and it might out help the appearance of the scrapes too.

Can you post a decent quality pic with good lighting of the damage with something in the pic to give an idea of scale? That ill give everyone a better idea.

D6dph is the cleaning guru round here too he might have a good idea once we've seen pics!