Need info about paint repair...

[BJHEN]

While putting air in right front tire the air hose was jerked from my hand by the recoil spring. The air hose's outer rubber cover was already torn away in seveal places exposing a wire mesh covering around the hose. This wire put a series of 1/4 in. scratches, spanning an area of about six inches, in the ridge between the top and side of the fender as it was pulled back into its coil by the spring.

I have contacted the national office of the company that owns the air machine - it was at a Shell station, but they don't own it - and am awaiting a call back from the local manager. When I talked with national office they suggested I go ahead and get an est. to repair the paint.

I don't know anything about auto paint. I know there is a clear coat on the paint and the scratches don't appear to be through to metal. Would the primer be white?

What should I know before I talk with a body shop?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Cliff

[Lonestar]

Re: Need info about paint repair...

Can you snap a pic & show?

If your scratches are white you may have been lucky enough to have only bruised the clear coat. Without pics or seeing it, it is really hard to tell. If you run you finger nail across the scratch and it hangs then you definitely have a scratch. If you finger nail does not hang then fortunately you only have transfer and an application of Mcguires Scratch X followed by a good polish and then wax will result in the scratches going away.

If your nail does hang then likely a light sanding followed by blending in new clear coat will probably fix the scratches. This would be best left to a body shop to do.

[waynesworld]

Re: Need info about paint repair...

Cliff, Last year my neighbor's big dog attacked my Jeep (very badly scratched on both sides and back). I thought a complete repaint was the only solution. When I took it to get an estimate, I told the guy I was concerned about not having the original paint. He suggested a gentle rubbing compound, polish, and wax.($300) He did that and I still can't see the scratches a year later. Please understand this was not my Tbird (the neighbor and his dog are still alive). The paint color was burgundy with clear coat.

If you don't have one already, get a small air compressor( $200 or less) then you can control condensation and keep water out of your tires.

Good luck with the scratch problem,
Wayne

[bwlewis]

Re: Need info about paint repair...

Hopefully the white you are seeing is NOT the composite material under the paint!