Car has been keyed - repairs?

fox2319

Parked our car in the local shopping centre car park only to find out on our return that some little tw@ had keyed one of the back doors, very annoying as the car is only a year and a bit old. It has gone through quite deep but not quite to the metal and is 'only' a single scratch which is about 18" long.

A couple of questions on this, is it better to try to repair ourselves or get somebody to do it, if the latter then how much is it likely to cost? We've got full insurance and no-claims but the excess is likely to be a couple of hundred anyway so it may not be worth it.

All helpful advice appreciated thanks.

Ms_Chocaholic

Can't help on the repair but have you thought about contacting the shopping centre car park in case they have the toe rat on CCTV damaging your car.

Titan_Uranus

fox2319 wrote: »

Parked our car in the local shopping centre car park only to find out on our return that some little tw@ had keyed one of the back doors, very annoying as the car is only a year and a bit old. It has gone through quite deep but not quite to the metal and is 'only' a single scratch which is about 18" long.

A couple of questions on this, is it better to try to repair ourselves or get somebody to do it, if the latter then how much is it likely to cost? We've got full insurance and no-claims but the excess is likely to be a couple of hundred anyway so it may not be worth it.

All helpful advice appreciated thanks.

Get an estimate from one of those Chips Away type outfits.

minxtress

Chips Away are brilliant, itl all be done within a day and if not too deep will only be about £120. Maybe even cheaper.

fox2319

minxtress wrote: »

Chips Away are brilliant, itl all be done within a day and if not too deep will only be about £120. Maybe even cheaper.

Thanks for the replies, I'll see about getting a quote asap.

fox2319

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Can't help on the repair but have you thought about contacting the shopping centre car park in case they have the toe rat on CCTV damaging your car.

I've had a look around and couldn't see any, I'll try asking but you can just tell that they'll:
a - Say that cars are parked at owners risk and / or
b - Refuse to check the video for fear of intruding on the git's human rights.

Crabman

fox2319 wrote: »

I've had a look around and couldn't see any, I'll try asking but you can just tell that they'll:
a - Say that cars are parked at owners risk and / or
b - Refuse to check the video for fear of intruding on the git's human rights.

They should check for you and will have no choice if you file a police report about the damage. Make sure you contact the shopping centre asap though, in case they only keep CCTV records for a short time.

harveybobbles

Chips Away is cheap for a reason............

It'll last about 12 months and then look like a right mess!!

You could have it done properly, but then the same thing could happen again in a few months.

If I were you i'd leave it until you come to part with the car so it's looking nice and fresh.

sheslookinhot

harveybobbles wrote: »

Chips Away is cheap for a reason............

It'll last about 12 months and then look like a right mess!!

You could have it done properly, but then the same thing could happen again in a few months.

If I were you i'd leave it until you come to part with the car so it's looking nice and fresh.

yes, try some T-Cut along the scratch line slowly buffing out a few inches on either side.

saintjanet

I have used chips away and never had any problems,Halfords do it now too,if it has been "keyed" it will be down to bare metal so t cut or similar will not do any good and unless your'e skilled you will not be able to repair it yourself,it will stand out like a sore thumb!!!.

I would and have ,done it myself ,on an older car but not one as new as yours.

goldspanners

a smart repair type company like chips away should be able to sort it for you.
personally ive only had experience of a dent being removed (similar car park incident to yours) but the paint wasnt damaged on mine luckily.