Car keyed by idiot - How to fix (inc photos)

Fernendo321

Hi all

Some idiot keyed my car. It's a low value car worth around £2000

I want to sell the car. How can I reduce the scratches before I sell? Should I try T-Cut or I have some touch up paint I could use that? A mechanic suggested that touch up paint might make it worse???

Another question. The new tyre they put on (photo attached) has a white paste like substance all around it. Is that normal for a new tyre?

Nobbie1967

I’d t-cut it to make the scratches less obvious rather than try to touch up as that will likely draw attention to it as you’re likely to leave globs of paint along the scratch. Maybe try some of the coloured polishing compound which fills the scratches with a bit and makes them less obvious. Colour magic rings a bell, but sure Halfords will sell something. The white stuff on the tyre is just the stuff they use to seal it onto the rim. Maybe the rim was a bit rusty so they’ve slopped lots on to get a seal.

T cut do a coloured version, this should be near enough 
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-repair/scratch-repair-and-paint-restorers/t-cut-colour-fast-dark-red-500ml-399824.html?stockInventory=undefined&_gl=1*wm5mai*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqNqkBhDlARIsAFaxvwwDgPAujoTyfTBKW-rTxmJfF_KPxOPQTxs8DXnVom-q5jULLsPHBvkaAhrIEALw_wcB

Grumpy_chap

The OP might find this thread worth reading:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6454903/car-keyed-by-idiot-how-to-fix#latest

FWIW - on a £1500 car, that won't make much difference to anything 

Fernendo321

Nobbie1967 said:

I’d t-cut it to make the scratches less obvious rather than try to touch up as that will likely draw attention to it as you’re likely to leave globs of paint along the scratch. Maybe try some of the coloured polishing compound which fills the scratches with a bit and makes them less obvious. Colour magic rings a bell, but sure Halfords will sell something. The white stuff on the tyre is just the stuff they use to seal it onto the rim. Maybe the rim was a bit rusty so they’ve slopped lots on to get a seal.

T cut do a coloured version, this should be near enough 
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-repair/scratch-repair-and-paint-restorers/t-cut-colour-fast-dark-red-500ml-399824.html?stockInventory=undefined&_gl=1*wm5mai*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqNqkBhDlARIsAFaxvwwDgPAujoTyfTBKW-rTxmJfF_KPxOPQTxs8DXnVom-q5jULLsPHBvkaAhrIEALw_wcB

Thanks for your reply so you think this T Cut coloured version is my best bet?

Nobbie1967

Fernendo321 said:

Nobbie1967 said:

I’d t-cut it to make the scratches less obvious rather than try to touch up as that will likely draw attention to it as you’re likely to leave globs of paint along the scratch. Maybe try some of the coloured polishing compound which fills the scratches with a bit and makes them less obvious. Colour magic rings a bell, but sure Halfords will sell something. The white stuff on the tyre is just the stuff they use to seal it onto the rim. Maybe the rim was a bit rusty so they’ve slopped lots on to get a seal.

T cut do a coloured version, this should be near enough 
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-repair/scratch-repair-and-paint-restorers/t-cut-colour-fast-dark-red-500ml-399824.html?stockInventory=undefined&_gl=1*wm5mai*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqNqkBhDlARIsAFaxvwwDgPAujoTyfTBKW-rTxmJfF_KPxOPQTxs8DXnVom-q5jULLsPHBvkaAhrIEALw_wcB

Thanks for your reply so you think this T Cut coloured version is my best bet?

Yes, it’ll make the scratches less obvious with relatively little work and little chance of making it look much worse. It’s a £1500 car, so few will be expecting very much in the cosmetics department, but lots of obvious scratches can still be a turn off for many. Try it on a scratch in an unobtrusive first just to be sure.

Fernendo321

Nobbie1967 said:

Fernendo321 said:

Nobbie1967 said:

I’d t-cut it to make the scratches less obvious rather than try to touch up as that will likely draw attention to it as you’re likely to leave globs of paint along the scratch. Maybe try some of the coloured polishing compound which fills the scratches with a bit and makes them less obvious. Colour magic rings a bell, but sure Halfords will sell something. The white stuff on the tyre is just the stuff they use to seal it onto the rim. Maybe the rim was a bit rusty so they’ve slopped lots on to get a seal.

T cut do a coloured version, this should be near enough 
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-repair/scratch-repair-and-paint-restorers/t-cut-colour-fast-dark-red-500ml-399824.html?stockInventory=undefined&_gl=1*wm5mai*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqNqkBhDlARIsAFaxvwwDgPAujoTyfTBKW-rTxmJfF_KPxOPQTxs8DXnVom-q5jULLsPHBvkaAhrIEALw_wcB

Thanks for your reply so you think this T Cut coloured version is my best bet?

Yes, it’ll make the scratches less obvious with relatively little work and little chance of making it look much worse. It’s a £1500 car, so few will be expecting very much in the cosmetics department, but lots of obvious scratches can still be a turn off for many. Try it on a scratch in an unobtrusive first just to be sure.

Thanks will try it yeah I'm hoping due to age scratches aren't a big deal depends on the kind of buyer I guess.   Some might think if it already has scratches I don't have to worry or stress if it gets more.   Let's face it a £1500 - £2000 car isn't purchased to impress anyone.