Door got keyed, options?

[simple_gifts]

A friend of mines RAV4 got keyed (silver, uh I mean "mica streak") and it isn't even a year old. The scratch is about 6" long.

Since I am a dummy when it comes to this type of stuff, what are the options? Can a body shop fix it without painting the door? If she chooses not to do anything should the clearcoat be fixed or should I just wax the scratch as PM. I don't think touchup paint is an option; I've never seen a touch up job that looks better than the scratch. (Unless I can be convinced otherwise)

TIA
-Thomas

 

[simple_gifts]

doah, search works better when it is more than 1 day.

 

[Russell]

Use this site's search function. Also check with detail shops and the dealer for their advice. Many communities have mobile pros who can touch up with an air bruch or other techniques to minimize scratches. Dealer should have soem recomendations.

 

[benjamming]

But remember that dealers often only employ Git-R-Done practices to move it off the lot.

 

[Russell]

I understand what you are saying. However, some of the techniques work well. That said, I have heard some techniques to fill chips/scratches do not last much longer than a year.

Simple Gifts, There are mobile services in larger cities that do repair bumper scuffs, chips and scratches. Google a bit and you may find one. Aero-colors is one.

 

[ted s]

if you can feel the strach or if its thru the clear only fx is to repaint.

 

[PW01]

2nd that. If paint is removed, it must be replaced to fix the problem. I'm assuming that this is a metallic finish, if so it'll be #@$%! near impossible to blend. When the same thing happened to me, I just had the door repainted.

 

[JavaMan]

If it's a horizontal scratch and straight maybe some striping to cover up the blemish. Yes, that does sound a little tacky, but, may be an alternative.

 

[simple_gifts]

Thanks guys, looks like they managed to hit back door, front door and front fender; I think she is going to have to live with it.

 

[JHZR2]

but how deep??? If not very deep, at least in some spots, these scratch remover products can turn the scratch into very fine swirl marks, which likely would be there in a year or two anyhow. If deeper, maybe this type of product can minimize the total length, as it cant all be that deep... I hope...

Jerks, why do they have to ruin others' things?

JMH

 

[seldont]

Quote:

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A friend of mines RAV4 got keyed (silver, uh I mean "mica streak") and it isn't even a year old. The scratch is about 6" long.

Since I am a dummy when it comes to this type of stuff, what are the options? Can a body shop fix it without painting the door? If she chooses not to do anything should the clearcoat be fixed or should I just wax the scratch as PM. I don't think touchup paint is an option; I've never seen a touch up job that looks better than the scratch. (Unless I can be convinced otherwise)

TIA
-Thomas

---

Find out who does touch up work for the used car lots in the area. A friend of mind does this and makes a good living but also can make repairs virtually undetectable. Do you think all those used cars at the Mega new car lots really always looked that good. I had my wife's silver Mustang GT touched up on the hood and bumper due to rock chips and one door and I promise you could not see where he did the work. Just an option....
Seldon

 

[Winston]

Yes, go with the mobile guys. Way cheaper, and the results are very good.

 

[klnyc]

Depend how deep is it. If you cant catch by your finger nails, then you can polish with some abraisve compoud like Meg#83,Optimum Hyper compoud, Poorboy ssr2,etc. If is too deep, I would try to wet sand it down with a 2000-3500 wet sand paper then follow with compouding.

good luck.

 

[Trav]

I use the following method and have had great results.Clean the the area well with prepsol and follow with denatured alcohol.Using a high quality very fine point brush lay a heavy string of un-thinned paint in the scratch actually raising it above the original paint.wait about 20 min @70F until dry but not hardened.Do not sand it off instead take a new single edge razor blade lay it almost flat on the body and carefully slice the raised paint off.you may need to do this 2 or 3 times until the area is completely flat.dress the area with 2000 and soapy water very lightly avoid sanding the surrounding clear coat as much as possible.Rub it out with compound.As far as paint goes i go to an auto body supply store and have them mix the color using non clear coat paint even if the rest of the car is clear coated,the reason being not only is it hard to match the original color when clear coated it will change again,its also more difficult to put a layer of base coat down and fill with clear.Silver will be difficult try building the scratch up with 5 or 6 layers applied thin and be sure to mix it extra thoroughly to disperse the metallic or it will appear as a black streak.Practice this technique on some scrap to perfect the filling and cutting and you will be amazed at the result.Its permanent and almost invisible.

 

[Kestas]

I've tried this technique with some success. The hardest part is that the paint dries before you can put it in the groove.