Son of a...

[DooMer_MP3]

So I was driving on the beltline to work, and there was a cement truck in the far right lane, and I was in the far left. A rock came from his truck and pounced over towards the left lane somehow and caught my left front fender where it flares out above the wheel. There are two scrapes about 3/4" long that are parallel to each other. They are pretty deep (down to the metal). I am going to the dealer today to order some touchup paint.

Can anybody give me some instructions or a website on what to do? I've heard of toothpicks, paper match tip ends etc. for application. But what about some steps to get it looking nice? Is there anyway to apply some kind of clearcoat-like protectant over the paint when I am done? Or do you just wax it over? Thanks guys!

Chris

 

[Sir Nuke]

So I was driving on the beltline to work, and there was a cement truck in the far right lane, and I was in the far left. A rock came from his truck and pounced over towards the left lane somehow and caught my left front fender where it flares out above the wheel. There are two scrapes about 3/4" long that are parallel to each other. They are pretty deep (down to the metal). I am going to the dealer today to order some touchup paint.

Can anybody give me some instructions or a website on what to do? I've heard of toothpicks, paper match tip ends etc. for application. But what about some steps to get it looking nice? Is there anyway to apply some kind of clearcoat-like protectant over the paint when I am done? Or do you just wax it over? Thanks guys!

Chris

Chris...you didn't by chance get the name of the company off the side of the truck did you? if not...too bad....I would be showing up there to have them pay for the repair....

course its probably different in Wi....but here...if a truck is carrying something like concrete or dirt or rocks and some falls of their truck and damages your car...THEY are legally responsible....

a while back someone posted up a site on chip repair....I don't have the URL...but its here somewhere in a thread....just search for it.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Well, I guess I could have. But I'm a moron. I plead innocent by reason of being too damn tired!

Well, seeing as how I have to do it myself now, I suppose I should protect the scratches until I can get touchup paint (I'm going to order it today at my dealer, I assume they have to order it). Should I just throw some wax over the area and into the scratch for the time being to prevent problems from weather? Grrr, this is annoying.

Chris

 

[BigBlue]

Re: Re: Son of a...

Chris...you didn't by chance get the name of the company off the side of the truck did you? if not...too bad....I would be showing up there to have them pay for the repair....

course its probably different in Wi....but here...if a truck is carrying something like concrete or dirt or rocks and some falls of their truck and damages your car...THEY are legally responsible....

a while back someone posted up a site on chip repair....I don't have the URL...but its here somewhere in a thread....just search for it.

Hmmm how do they prevent fraud then? Let's say I got a couple scratches while parking or something...then see a truck from Joe Blow Company with rocks on it...and nothing falls off, but I say it does anyhow...doesn't it just become your word against theirs?

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Well I bought the touchup paint. The guy that came out with me to get the paint code said I should check out my dealer's main headquarters first and get an estimate on having it fixed by their pros. I think I might do that. I know next to nothing about repairing this. However, if its too expensive, I will end up doing it myself and probably buy the Mother's product that you use along with touchup paint to smooth it over and make it look good.

Chris

 

[norman]

Just a guess on getting it fixed by a shop: $300+

I have fixed many chips with the touch up paint...it takes some practice. Just some suggestions I have are: Don't use the supplied brush with the paint, it is way too big in my opinion. I use a small artists brush and get good results, paper match sticks work well also. Just put the paint in the scratch or chip and make sure it fills the entire chip. Use several thin applications and make sure you wait until the application is completely dry before putting on a second coat. I put 1 or 2 on per day. Everyone has their own techniques and preferences. Do you have access to another car with chips? Practice on that car if you do...winter beaters and friends cars are good starts, as long as the friend's car isn't a Benz or BMW or the like...they may have a problem with you practicing on it. Perhaps an old Pinto or any year Honda?

 

[Sir Nuke]

Re: Re: Re: Son of a...

Hmmm how do they prevent fraud then? Let's say I got a couple scratches while parking or something...then see a truck from Joe Blow Company with rocks on it...and nothing falls off, but I say it does anyhow...doesn't it just become your word against theirs?

in reality YES...but you know...not that many people know the law....and don't bother to take down the information....and thus end up in the same boat as Chris

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Just a guess on getting it fixed by a shop: $300+

I have fixed many chips with the touch up paint...it takes some practice. Just some suggestions I have are: Don't use the supplied brush with the paint, it is way too big in my opinion. I use a small artists brush and get good results, paper match sticks work well also. Just put the paint in the scratch or chip and make sure it fills the entire chip. Use several thin applications and make sure you wait until the application is completely dry before putting on a second coat. I put 1 or 2 on per day. Everyone has their own techniques and preferences. Do you have access to another car with chips? Practice on that car if you do...winter beaters and friends cars are good starts, as long as the friend's car isn't a Benz or BMW or the like...they may have a problem with you practicing on it. Perhaps an old Pinto or any year Honda?

I'm not quite sure if I went down to the metal or not. The scratch looks white underneath. Is this still primer? If I need primer, what type should I get? I've been reading that some paints don't stick to some primers. Thanks for these tips norman. Do you know much about wetsanding? Any tips on that?

Chris

 

[norman]

yep, I do have some tips,

BE VERY CAREFUL! it is unbelieveably easy to sand through paint.
if you can, practice on an old fender or car. preferably with a new style of paintjob. I am ised to the older acrylic enamel jobs...the paint is a bit thicker on the car, the new paints are much thinner...at least they seem like they are.
Use very fine paper and use it lightly...I believe that there is a 1500 grit paper.
Oh and one other thing...did I mention to practice on an old fender or something? That is most important.

I can't stress enough that the possibility of sanding through your paint is high without practice.

Anyone else have any other tips?

 

[70]

In Colorado, most trucks have signs on the back end that say, "Not responsible for damage to your car."

It's funny but that is not true. But it does stop most people from trying to do something about it. Your best bet is to follow the truck and hop on the cell and call whatever law enforcement agency has jurisdiciton over traffic accidents where the damage occurred. The trucker and the company will have to pay for the damage.

You have to look up the traffic code to be double sure, but in Colorado it basically says a traffic accident is when "a vehicle or it's load, while in motion, causes damage (however slight) to another vehicle."

That also means if your car is moving with out you in it (no parking brake on a hill) and it hits another car.