UPSET... new car scratched twice during first week

[riching]

I am a new driver and have a new Mazda 3 2010 GX model (rust proof)).

My car got scratched twice when I parked it into a 4-floor underground site.

I am ready to fix these. My question is: do I have to fix now or can I wait for two more months before the Winter comes (in case there are more scratches so that I can get them fixed all together at the body shop which I hope never happens again)

Scratch 1:
on top of the right rear tire. I can see/feel a little metal on the rear corner


Scratch 2:
under the right headlight, you can see the red pait dropped off, however, no signs of metal

I am very upset. As for now, I would like to ask your advice on how to properly fix it and when. Which body shop do you recommend (Montreal)? And price if any? I am covered by Belairdirect economy package. Do they actually cover this type of "accident"?

Any tip for turning around/parking in such underground parking place with "small space"?

Thank you so much! My car says thank you as well~

 

[dandan2]

i would take car of the quarter panel for sure! what do u mean by rust proof? if its made of anything but aluminum it can most likely rust! and u dont see metal in the bumper because its made of plastic!

 

[dandan2]

and as far as a tip goes, beware of ur surroundings and watch where the hell u are going!(boom03)

 

[riching]

Thanks for the quick reply. Should I do the quarter panel ASAP or a few months later?

 

[riching]

what do u mean by rust proof?

I took the metal treatment/rust proof when I got the car.

 

[wedginator]

I took the metal treatment/rust proof when I got the car.

The rust proofing is just the under carriage usually. Sometimes the inner wheel wells and the interior metals bodywork depending on the package. If you scratched the paint down to the metal like that, rust proofing won't do anything. It will rust eventually. Go to a bodyshop and have them repair that properly.

 

[Dubcnea]

i don't know what they told you but a spray on the paint isn't going to rust proof the metal. get it fixed ASAP. any time spent open to air (unless you're in a dry climate like Arizona or Nevada...which you're not) is going to start and speed up oxidation of the metal. that means rust. get it fixed as soon as you can. take that 'rust proof' claim with a grain of salt.

and yes....if you can't turn around in those areas...don't park there. find a bigger area to use. it's not worth it as you have experienced. :x

 

[riching]

The rust proofing is just the under carriage usually. Sometimes the inner wheel wells and the interior metals bodywork depending on the package. If you scratched the paint down to the metal like that, rust proofing won't do anything. It will rust eventually. Go to a bodyshop and have them repair that properly.

Thanks! I understand that now. Can I delay the repair for a few more months (e.g., two months) and fix it before Winter? I'd like to fix them all together if there will be any new scratches (hope not(drive))

 

[riching]

i don't know what they told you but a spray on the paint isn't going to rust proof the metal. get it fixed ASAP. any time spent open to air (unless you're in a dry climate like Arizona or Nevada...which you're not) is going to start and speed up oxidation of the metal. that means rust. get it fixed as soon as you can. take that 'rust proof' claim with a grain of salt.

and yes....if you can't turn around in those areas...don't park there. find a bigger area to use. it's not worth it as you have experienced. :x

Thanks Dubcnea! Do you think I can fix these after two months? Is there any way you recommend to do for now to prevent the rust before the fix?

 

[Derrick_B]

If there is any metal exposed, you are inviting rust. The paint is there for a reason. The front bumper isn't a big deal and you can wait on that, but the rear quarter panel will start to rust within days. You need to get that fixed right away.

I don't know what advice to give, other than adjust your mirrors properly, use them often, and check you blind spot. Mazda 3's have a very tight turning radius and visability is pretty good. This should not be happening.

 

[riching]

If there is any metal exposed, you are inviting rust. The paint is there for a reason. The front bumper isn't a big deal and you can wait on that, but the rear quarter panel will start to rust within days. You need to get that fixed right away.

I don't know what advice to give, other than adjust your mirrors properly, use them often, and check you blind spot. Mazda 3's have a very tight turning radius and visability is pretty good. This should not be happening.

Thank you so much. Do you think there is any way to prevent the rust at this moment? I'd like to wait for two months to get everything fixed (old scratches and new ones if any).

For turning in a small place with 90 degree angle, any advice?

 

[wingzero_]

Prime it.

 

[riching]

Prime it.

More details? Thanks a lot!

 

[Reyan]

Go back to the dealer, cancel that bogus rust proof s*** they sold you, the car is protected for rust from the inside out for 12 years (read your owners guide on vehicle warranty), if you leave it just the way it is it will rust from the outside to the inside and void your rust warranty, then use the refund money to fix the repair asap,don't know how much you paid for the warranty, do the work at the dealership body shop, it will cost a little more but if you ever have any future problems you can put the blame on the dealership.

 

[wingzero_]

More details? Thanks a lot!

Primer paint to cover up the bare metal. Because bare metal rusts quickly.

 

[Average Joe]

I would find a new place to park, the place you park in is brutal.

 

[Falango]

Go back to the dealer, cancel that bogus rust proof s*** they sold you, the car is protected for rust from the inside out for 12 years (read your owners guide on vehicle warranty), if you leave it just the way it is it will rust from the outside to the inside and void your rust warranty, then use the refund money to fix the repair asap,don't know how much you paid for the warranty, do the work at the dealership body shop, it will cost a little more but if you ever have any future problems you can put the blame on the dealership.

They will never return the money. Work has been done, plus they have his money anyway. It's almost like they are forbidden to return it no matter what.

As mentioned, the rust proofing will have no effect on this. That warranty and extra work is to protect the vehicle from the inside out. Even if it covered rust on the painted surface, this wouldn't be covered since it was your fault Warranties don't cover user error, they cover defects in the product.

My suggestion is find a new parking spot, and use your mirrors when you park. Most people are as careful as humanly possible when they just get a brand new car. I'd hate to see what the next few weeks have in store for that 3.........

 

[dandan2]

if ur really set on delaying it a few months atleast get some touchup from the dealer and put some touchup on the bare metal areas! that should delay the rusting process for a bit!

 

[kickniteasy]

honestly, get it fixed now. Those are some brutal marks. Did you do them or were they done to you? If it's you I highly suggest you get better at driving. With such a small car you shouldn't be hitting stuff as bad as you are. That, and if you feel yourself hitting something you need to stop and reverse what you're doing. Both of those look like, if you were driving when it happened, you hit something and just kept right on going. I wouldn't wait on those in your climate/area. That, and the more you wait the better chance you have of the paint not matching. You've got to keep in mind your paint fades/is affected by the elements on a daily basis so adding fresh paint will increase the chances of things not matching up.

 

[ikadytouring]

whoa!! new car, and new driver! - i backed into a tree parking on a side street when i was parking right after i got my first car, it happens. it sucks, but cars don't stay perfect when you have to use them. my advice is to def get it fixed... i say that because delaying it under the assumption something else like that is going to happen again soon is not really practical.. insurance companies estimate a person will get into an accident once every three years. it was early on for you, but we usually learn from driving mistakes. leave the little things, like road rock scratches or circular dings from debris, etc for the future. my last car had damage from someone kicking it (ew, i was still in hs) leaving a circular ding on the bottom, but about a year later i needed an actual repair and they popped it out for me for free since they were already working on the car. this kind of repair however won't be thrown in as a freebee, you'll have to pay to have it fixed either way, so i say go ahead with it. although, the touch up paint is the next best alternative if the rust is your main concern.
good luck!