Car scratch repair

hubb

nnoyingly this is the 5th time someone has keyed a deep scratch into my 2002 metallic grey Polo in the last 2 years. I can't afford the car to go to a bodyshop to be professionally repaired so I would like any pointers as to my next best option that isn't too expensive. They have in all instances gone down to the white primer but I fear the latest scratch may have gone deeper than that but it's hard to tell. I have tried the scratch pen which is reasonable and taken the edge off the previous ones but this time it doesn't mask the latest work. They have also scribbled the scratch part way making it even more hard to mask.

Something like this perhaps ? http://www.amazon.co...ords=vw scratch



All in all it's very very depressing as it can happen anytime. The car was pretty mint when I got it 2 years ago but of course some people don't like you having anything nice do they.

Nile

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LandyAndy

TBH, for a 12 year old Polo, I wouldn't do anything.

hubb

But it looks a mess and Polos hold their price. Anyway, that's not the point.

londonTiger

5 times? looks like you have an enemy who is going to keep doing it. No point getting it professionally repaired as it's going to get keyed again. I would try to catch the person on tape doing the keying using your own CCTV if you can otherwise you just have to leave it as it is and hope they stop.

the scratch repair kits are OK when done by someone competant, seen youtube videos of people covering stone chips well. But long lines are a bit more difficult to do because colour coding is never perfect and brush painted finish will never match spray painted finish.

but you might as well just give it a go if only to cover up exposed metal to prevent rusting they're 12.95 for the full kit (primer, colour & clearcoat). Just accept the finish isn't going to be great though. Use a rust removal pen prior to applying paint.

hubb

Other people have had it done too, not just me. People who do this are vile scum. Not only are they devaluing the car but making it expensive to do a decent repair. I just hope what goes around comes around. I have just covered it with the clear scratch pen. My sister who lives about half a mile away said I can use her private driveway. It's a compromise but not ideal. That's why I was thinking of getting a decent repair if I can keep it there afterwards but the real issue is I shouldn't have to do this because the UK has a lot of nasty people. Oh to have a house with a private driveway.

BTW-Why has this thread been moved ? I couln't find it. Tell me where "Tools" is in the list of forums.

facade

You can get the 3 part touch up kits on eBay quite reasonably.

There is also someone who will sell you paint that needs no primer or clearcoat, don't buy this type, I used some on The Other Car to cover scratches on the bumper, and although it is ok from about 15 feet with your eyes half closed, go any closer and you can see the colour mismatch.

hubb

You mean these ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Pride-Scratch-Removal-Kit-Solid-Metalic-Colours-/120897934982?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item1c26141686

facade

No, the ones that have 2 or 3 little bottles of paint.

One is primer, (not in a two bottle kit)
one is the metallic colour (you get the colour code for your car off the commission plate under the bonnet)
the last is a clear lacquer.

What you do is wipe off the dirt.
Carefully brush the primer into the scratch if it is down to the metal, ( you can do without primer if it is just the paint.) leave to dry.
Lightly buff around the scratch with t-cut (not a polish) or some wet 1000 grit wet 'n dry to get rid of any primer on the surface. Let dry and wipe off. (you can use 1200 to 2000 grit paper if you think the 1000 is a bit too agressive)
Now carefully fill the scratch with the colour using a small brush and a far steadier hand than I have. (might take 2 or 3 goes)
When dry, another go with the wet fine grit paper.

Dry + wipe clean, then go over with the lacquer. When dry polish lightly with a colour restoring type polish, or autoglym.

The kit you indicate is for very light baby scratches in the laquer, like you might get if you touch a leaf or a few blades of grass in a hedge, you get these out with t-cut followed by auroglym.


Just bash touch up VW into eBay, you need the colour code though.

EDIT: Do NOT get the spray cans. You will never ever get a good finish, they run and it will stick out like a sore thumb.

hubb

Can you tell me which ones on Ebay please as I don't know which brand to buy.

facade

What colour is it?
You need the paint code from the sticker that should be in the boot by the spare wheel.

I'm afraid "metallic grey" isn't enough.

VW will have a posh Germanic sounding name for it, and it may even be a blue or a green. It is almost certainly a pearl rather than a metallic.

Try https://www.paints4u.com they can surely advise you and sell you the correct paint, they have an email and a 'phone helpline, ( there must be other companies I just picked the first one I saw)