I wasn’t prepared for other road users response to my S5. Nothing will close a gap in the traffic like my car appearing. Today someone refused to slow down as I filtered from two lanes to one and rubbed I guess is the best way of putting it the side of my car. No damage to his front wing, bit of damage to the side of my car. What’s the best way of dealing with a scratch like this? Looks like it went through the paint. I’d be really grateful for any help. 

On 10/29/2018 at 7:48 PM, Targetrich said:

I wasn’t prepared for other road users response to my S5. Nothing will close a gap in the traffic like my car appearing. Today someone refused to slow down as I filtered from two lanes to one and rubbed I guess is the best way of putting it the side of my car. No damage to his front wing, bit of damage to the side of my car. What’s the best way of dealing with a scratch like this? Looks like it went through the paint. I’d be really grateful for any help. 

That looks like it'll need to go to a body shop as it covers two panels. Why isn't it going through insurance?

Cheers

Steve

Hello Rich,

Its difficult to know whether this colour is metallic/pearlitic or not, so advice would depend on this, and your ability to correctly use aerosols. 

It would appear that this is through damage and will either dictate flatting down the surrounding area to blend in the damage, or filling the damage - but more likely a combination of both. Other than simply touching in the damage with paint applied with a suitable brush, then anything else is going to entail spraying in an area greater than the damage - before lacquering the repaired paintwork. 

I have seen such damage well repaired and painted with an aerosol, but the majority of DIY attempts generally end up looking worse than it started. 

Options if you are not experienced to carry out the above - and not meaning to sound critical, but if you were you would not be asking:- 

Insurance, as Steve suggests. Personally, I would run a mile from this, since even if it was proved that the other driver was at fault,and your excess was reimbursed, your premium would rise at the next renewal simply because you had been involved in an accident.

Scratch/dent repair specialists. There are usually a selection to choose from covering your locality. I would choose only on recommendation from friends or colleagues. 

Kind regards,

Gareth,

Thanks for that message - it confirmed what I thought already although I'd have a bash at repairing the scratch myself if I could find the right paint and an idea of exactly what I should do. I'd heard you could get the code for the paint from a display that also shows the VIN but I don't know where it is.

I'm not going through the insurers, I agree with you Gareth. 

As I said Rich, if you are admitting you don't know what to do, then leave well alone. Aerosols of paint, lacquer, fillers, various grades of wet and dry papers, cutting compounds, masking tape etc. -  rough idea of material costs? I would estimate at around £30 before you start. 

Repeating, just get a couple of quotes from the scratch and dent removal chaps before doing anything on a DIY basis. Deduct your £30 material costs, then work out if it's worth you DIYing it and keeping fingers crossed you don't make a mess of it. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.

Gotcha, thanks