Key Scratch - Advice please?

Makkie_2

Hello MSE,

I have a Mercedes A180 and it was recently scratched. I sent a few photos to body shop repair specialists and they've quoted prices from £190 - £650. Unfortunately, I don't have much knowledge in scratch removals so was hoping for some advice please. Maybe I can do it myself? I'm not sure. The scratch itself is not deep, I believe it's just on the clearcoat

Below are photos of the scratch which is on the rear panel (driver's side). I am based in Manchester, so if anyone knows anyone who specialises in scratch removals (that provide reasonable prices) please do let me know.

Images:
i.imgur.com/h6XOUQP.jpg
i.imgur.com/rBqdNtt.jpg

Thanks in advance.

uknick

Basic rule is, if you can feel the scratch with your finger nail, it won't polish out. Therefore you'll need to use paint to repair it. If you can't feel it, a good polish followed by a wax will get rid of most, if not all, of the scratch.

Looking at the pictures, I think you're looking at a wing re-spray

Quentin

https://m.imgur.com/h6XOUQP

https://m.imgur.com/rBqdNtt

System

Don't do it yourself unless you've a decent amount of experience painting cars. Whilst that may be OK on a £500 banger it will look like a dog's dinner on an A180.

alfie1950

Yeah looks like a respray job so dealer prices would be about £300 per panel or door .

ShandyAndy_2

Definitely a body shop job, back door will need blending in too, looking about £400-£500

Makkie_2

Thank you for your replies.

It's sad someone scratched the car.

I've contacted a variety of companies and the prices range significantly. For example, Mercedes Benz of Manchester quoted over £500 whereas a more local body repair specialist quoted £200 (and judging by the photos posted on their Instagram page, they seem to do a great job). I just don't want to give the car to someone and find that it doesn't match, or further issues are created.

Depending on the body shop.. do I just leave the car with them (is that wise to do that)? Sorry for being naive but I am new when it comes to repairing cars.

uknick

I'm not sure I'd go by internet photos to best to judge a body shop's work

You seem to have discounted using your insurer, is this because your excess is high? If you don't intend to use the insurer you may well have to tell them about the damage anyway, depends on your policy.

With regard to the process of getting it repaired; find a body shop you're happy with, take car to body shop, let them repair it, pick car up.

Finally, one thing to remember, with body shops you tend to get what you pay for. If your local Mercedes dealer doesn't do it in house, try to find out who they use. That way you'll be guaranteed the repair won't invalidate any warranty that may still be left on the bodywork.

DUTR

Makkie wrote: »

Thank you for your replies.

It's sad someone scratched the car.

I've contacted a variety of companies and the prices range significantly. For example, Mercedes Benz of Manchester quoted over £500 whereas a more local body repair specialist quoted £200 (and judging by the photos posted on their Instagram page, they seem to do a great job). I just don't want to give the car to someone and find that it doesn't match, or further issues are created.

Depending on the body shop.. do I just leave the car with them (is that wise to do that)? Sorry for being naive but I am new when it comes to repairing cars.

That'll be a walk in the park for a smart repairer, although you snub the local body repair vs MB, what makes you think the dealer doesn't use the LBR and just add their price on top?

Makkie_2

Thank you uknick. The local Mercedes dealer quoted a price far too high. I have no way in finding out if they do it in house or who they use.

Someone I found has a tremendous amount of 5 star reviews on Google (when you search the business), but he uses water-borne paints - would that be ok on a metallic paint car?

DUTR - No way in finding that out. They've sent me an excessive list on what they'd do..

R/R SIDE PANEL PAINTING STAGE III
WITH ROOF SIDE PANELLING LESS DOOR SHUT
ADD COLOUR SAMPLE 1
OUTER CLEANING CARRY OUT
NON WATER BASED REMOVE
DIRT, PRESERVER (GREASE, WAX)
SECURITY MEASURES BEFORE
CARRYING OUT OVEN DRYING TIME
PREPARATION WORK FOR TWO COAT PAINTING
OF FITTED BODY PARTS
ADD FOR PREPARATION WORK
COVER REMOVED COMPLETED PARTS
CARRY OUT COLOUR SHADE DETERMINATION
INCLUDES: ADJUSTABLE COMPONENT
POLISHING AND COLOR TINTING WITH
COLOR PATTERN/MEASURING INSTRUCTIONS

Nasqueron

I asked my local Mazda dealer about doing some work on mine to touch up a few bits that have accumulated over time, they freely admitted they have a third party who comes in and does it. I had some proper touch up work done for about £300 to get rid of a scrape - local place got the right paint etc and did a good job.


Ask around or look at reviews on places like google (allow for the fact some dishonest places might add fake reviews) or ask around on social media.