Chipped, scratched & faded ...

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Mon 14 Nov 2005 13:00
Chipped, scratched & faded ... - JamesB
... my new purchase, that is - a 1996 Volvo 960, bought as a stopgap replacement following the untimely demise of our V-reg Espace. When I had it serviced last week I asked them to give it a rub over with the "mop", with the result that at least it's no longer faded - and actually rather shiny.

Alas the haircut has also taken off a lot of the touch-up paint which has left various panels, particularly the bonnet and front bumper, with a gajillion stone chips. It's made worse by the white primer, which contrasts rather too well with the dark purple paint. Other issues are a key mark that goes down the left-front witng and onto the passenger door, and various other sundry scratches around the car.

The question, then, is how to make the car look presentable for minimal outlay. I'm aware that the likes of Chips Away could fix it up, but given the number of chips etc I suspect it would be a fairly labour-intensive process. And the local guy quoted me £250 just to fix the scratch (!). Am I better off going to a back-street paintshop with a fistfull of twentys? Or would they, in all likelihood, mess it up? Is there a third option?

All wisdom gratefully received - anything to stop SWMBO commenting on how 'beat up' the new purchase looks

Cheers
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Mon 14 Nov 2005 13:43
Chipped, scratched & faded ... - Xileno {P}
Now don't take any offence but this is an old car, it's not worth spending much money particularly if it's a 'stopgap' vehicle. You won't see the money back because an old thirsty 3.0 litre car is not much in demand.

If however you are not too concerned about these matters, then try Chips Away. I've heard positive things about them although I have not actually used them myself.
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Mon 14 Nov 2005 16:42
Chipped, scratched & faded ... - Chris S
Is that coloured car wax any good? It's only slightly more expensive than normal wax and may hide the scratches.
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Mon 14 Nov 2005 19:09
Chipped, scratched & faded ... - bell boy
you say its had a good buff?
you may find then that the paste from the buff has gone into all the stone chip holes and showing as a dirty white?if it is give the areas a good blast with a hot car wash type lance to blast this paste out and then look at car again when dry ,dont forget you can buy a touch up pen and dabb all the bits,time consuming but better than cutting the hedge i find.
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Tue 15 Nov 2005 10:59
Chipped, scratched & faded ... - Gromit {P}
> Is that coloured car wax any good?
> It's only slightly more expensive than normal wax and may hide the scratches.

I've used the T-Cut version on black Fiat paintwork (which picks up small scratches and sworls easily!) and am happy with it.

However, I only apply the coloured wax every six months or so as there's some cutting compound in it too. Using normal wax in between, the colour lasts quite well.
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