Minor paintwork repairs

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Tue 21 Dec 2004 16:37
Minor paintwork repairs - Dogbreath2
Got my (nearly new) BMW unmarked like new 2 weeks ago.

Parked in a multi-story car park, some dork has put a one inch vertical scratch on the door.

Is this something I can fix myself? I know I can buy touch up paint from BMW or should I leave it for now, wait for some more damage and eventually take it to the local body shop?
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Tue 21 Dec 2004 16:42
Minor paintwork repairs - borasport20
metallic or non-metallic ?
what colour ?

touch-up paint usually stand out like a sore thumb, especially in the middle of a flat panel

if the scratch is not to deep, consider one of the coloured polishes, otherwise someone will be along to suggest chips-away or something similar
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Tue 21 Dec 2004 20:59
Minor paintwork repairs - steveo3002
chips away type people are not what id suggest on a new car(more suited to cheepie bangers)

look in the phone book for a paintless dent removal tech or even call the dealers you got it from and ask who they use

dealers use em all the time for car park dings
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Wed 22 Dec 2004 18:25
Minor paintwork repairs - IKM
I would get the touch up paint from BMW, (about £5) then do the best you can, keeping the amount of paint applied, and lacquer if metallic, to a minimum. If it's still noticeable and it bothers you, get it repaired professionally when convenient. Ask your local BMW independent specialist to recommend someone who will do a good job for a resonable price. I paid £120 to get scratches on a front wing repaired. The repair is invisible but it involves rubbing down and repainting the damaged area, then applying a lacquer coat over the whole panel.
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Wed 22 Dec 2004 19:06
Minor paintwork repairs - Schnitzel
I too would phone the dealer, see who they use, they will occasionally have to do such repairs on new cars I don't doubt.
It is easy to fill a scratch with non-metallic paint and polish it flat, but metallics are virtually impossible, as the flakes lie at a different angle to the original ones.
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