Scratched CU2 - Panel beater recommendations

**Fredoops** · 06-02-2011 08:39 PM

try paintless dent removal if it's minor scaffs and scraches. Cost way less than a actual panel beater for those minor stuff... and the best part is they come to you.

**jay2** · 19-12-2011 02:33 PM

Sigh, my week old CU2 got scratched after getting it tinted at tinting place. I reckon it's an accident at the tinting place. Initially the guys did not admit but gave in and told me to get a quote and they will sort it out with insurance.

Just brought it to panel beater and quite a bit of job, for some small scratches. They have to respray the rear passenger door. The whole wheel arch and side column as well as remove bumper and respray.
I have attached the pictures except the one on the bumper, which is similar to the door.

Guys, what should I do? In a dilemma. I didn't want the panel beater to rip apart a week old CU2 just to fix some minor scratches even though the shop is paying for the repair. Morever, they might not do a good job and there will be visible color mismatch.

I am thinking of doing some minor polish either myself or from those mobile repairs.

I am also thinking of just leaving it and not do anything but afraid it will cause rust or corrosion down the road.

Anybody from Perth can recommend me some of those that do good paintless scratch removal?

Advice much appreciated mates...

**antony** · 19-12-2011 07:45 PM

I would speak to the dealer who sold you the new Euro,as it ABSORLUTELY needs to be properely repaired, and see who they reccomend...I would have been crazy,its a 1 week old baby...

**HunterZero** · 20-12-2011 11:16 AM

When Honda clear coat is stressed around a scratch, it turns white, which can make the scratch look worse than it is, especially on a dark car. Does your fingernail catch in those scratches? Do the scratches look white inside, or can you see metal/primer/colour?

If your fingernail doesn't catch or only catches a little bit, there is a chance that those scratches (particularly the one on the door) have not penetrated the clear coat, and wetsanding and buffing could remove them entirely (this process will remove a chunk of the clear coat). Depending on the scratches, the remaining clear coat film build may be too thin after sanding to reasonably attempt this repair.

Unfortunately, I can't recommend a place to do this in Perth, you're going to have to do the ring around to see if anyone will try paintless scratch removal, and if it's possible. Note that they will likely charge you extra for an attempt to fix the repair without painting first.

But if the tinter did this damage and you've been in touch with the insurer - hey, you should be covered. But check with the insurer if you have an attempt done do fix it without respray.

- HZ

**jay2** · 21-12-2011 10:35 PM

Hey Antony, Hunter, thanks for the advice.

After much thinking, I am quite certain I will not go for the respray option. A shop here quoted me $100 plus GST. to touch-up, cut and buff for the repair. Sounds like a good deal to me.

I have already forwarded the quote to the tinting company for action.

If they are not honoring the repair, I might just leave it. I am not too concern about the cosmetic. My biggest gripe is the door rusting only.

BTW...how long does the rusting process takes to spread through the door? Years? Just curious to know.

**HunterZero** · 22-12-2011 01:54 PM

$100 sounds reasonable for a paintless scratch removal and polish - hopefully the shop has the skill to do it. It should only need touch-up paint in areas where the scratch has gone right through the paint.

Originally Posted by jay2

BTW...how long does the rusting process takes to spread through the door? Years? Just curious to know.

If the paint has not been scratched to the metal, then it won't rust. There is a good chance that the clear on the door was not penetrated looking at the pics, the only area I would be worried about is the panel edge on the guard. The paint is normally thinner on the corners, and raised areas and corners are more susceptible to damage.

Rust starts pretty much right away on exposed metal, factors like humidity determine how fast is spreads. Rust can start quite quickly if you park the car in salty sea air near the coast. The rust can start to become noticeable after only a couple of weeks. It's always best to repair scratches and stone chips as soon as you notice them.

- HZ