Paint damaged, Advice needed
Discussion
It needs painting, no amount of T-Cut is going to sort that!
Depending on how fussy you are, you could have in touched up, have a smart repairer paint it on your driveway, or take it to a body shop.
If you touch it up very finely it would look reasonable, assuming you can live with that - is the car otherwise mint?
Smart repairers are good and cost effective, I buy and sell cars, and used to use them but now tend to spend a little more and have painting done professionally. For circa £50 a smart repairer would spray the corner and blend in over the fog lamp and towards the numberplate. Two things you need to bear in mind though; they will be doing this outdoors therefore the finish will not be A1, and also silver can be a very difficult colour to match, potentially it could look a dog's breakfast and if so would stand out like a sore thumb. My only advice there would be to find somebody reputable who will guarantee the quality of their work, and would be willing to re-do it if you're not happy.
A bodyshop would ask upwards of £70 to do the same job, but you can be assured they're doing it in the best conditions.
The above all very much depends on what you consider 'acceptable'.
Depending on how fussy you are, you could have in touched up, have a smart repairer paint it on your driveway, or take it to a body shop.
If you touch it up very finely it would look reasonable, assuming you can live with that - is the car otherwise mint?
Smart repairers are good and cost effective, I buy and sell cars, and used to use them but now tend to spend a little more and have painting done professionally. For circa £50 a smart repairer would spray the corner and blend in over the fog lamp and towards the numberplate. Two things you need to bear in mind though; they will be doing this outdoors therefore the finish will not be A1, and also silver can be a very difficult colour to match, potentially it could look a dog's breakfast and if so would stand out like a sore thumb. My only advice there would be to find somebody reputable who will guarantee the quality of their work, and would be willing to re-do it if you're not happy.
A bodyshop would ask upwards of £70 to do the same job, but you can be assured they're doing it in the best conditions.
The above all very much depends on what you consider 'acceptable'.
ajb85 said:
It needs painting, no amount of T-Cut is going to sort that!
Depending on how fussy you are, you could have in touched up, have a smart repairer paint it on your driveway, or take it to a body shop.
If you touch it up very finely it would look reasonable, assuming you can live with that - is the car otherwise mint?
Smart repairers are good and cost effective, I buy and sell cars, and used to use them but now tend to spend a little more and have painting done professionally. For circa £50 a smart repairer would spray the corner and blend in over the fog lamp and towards the numberplate. Two things you need to bear in mind though; they will be doing this outdoors therefore the finish will not be A1, and also silver can be a very difficult colour to match, potentially it could look a dog's breakfast and if so would stand out like a sore thumb. My only advice there would be to find somebody reputable who will guarantee the quality of their work, and would be willing to re-do it if you're not happy.
A bodyshop would ask upwards of £70 to do the same job, but you can be assured they're doing it in the best conditions.
The above all very much depends on what you consider 'acceptable'.
Ther rest of the bodywork is in mint condition IMO. Im just raging with myself for being so bloody clumsy.Depending on how fussy you are, you could have in touched up, have a smart repairer paint it on your driveway, or take it to a body shop.
If you touch it up very finely it would look reasonable, assuming you can live with that - is the car otherwise mint?
Smart repairers are good and cost effective, I buy and sell cars, and used to use them but now tend to spend a little more and have painting done professionally. For circa £50 a smart repairer would spray the corner and blend in over the fog lamp and towards the numberplate. Two things you need to bear in mind though; they will be doing this outdoors therefore the finish will not be A1, and also silver can be a very difficult colour to match, potentially it could look a dog's breakfast and if so would stand out like a sore thumb. My only advice there would be to find somebody reputable who will guarantee the quality of their work, and would be willing to re-do it if you're not happy.
A bodyshop would ask upwards of £70 to do the same job, but you can be assured they're doing it in the best conditions.
The above all very much depends on what you consider 'acceptable'.
If I was to attempt a touch up myself then what sort of steps should I be taking? I havent done bodywork before but I am capable of following instructions.
If you are Mr. Meticulous then painting it would be the only option. An old boy with an immaculate Jag XJ6 would probably take this option.
But realistically he (or she) has taken off such a small amount of paint I think a touch up with a really steady hand would look fine. If I was selling your car I would probably do this, and declare that it was the only mark on the bodywork. If you have the colour code (probably on a sticker on the inside of the door frame) or name of colour, Halfords should definitely stock a touch up pen for your Clio. £7 or so last time I bought one. Obviously make sure the area you're painting is clean, and my advice would be to apply the absolute bear minimum, brushing off any excess on the top of the pen before going near the bumper. Nice gentle stroke for each scratch. Quite straight forward really! Good luck.
But realistically he (or she) has taken off such a small amount of paint I think a touch up with a really steady hand would look fine. If I was selling your car I would probably do this, and declare that it was the only mark on the bodywork. If you have the colour code (probably on a sticker on the inside of the door frame) or name of colour, Halfords should definitely stock a touch up pen for your Clio. £7 or so last time I bought one. Obviously make sure the area you're painting is clean, and my advice would be to apply the absolute bear minimum, brushing off any excess on the top of the pen before going near the bumper. Nice gentle stroke for each scratch. Quite straight forward really! Good luck.
Get a touch up stick in the correct colour (none of this name matching rubbish in halfords), silvers are a b
h to match so make sure its atleast been made up from the correct colour code.
buy a fine artists paint brush (dont use the one with the stick, they are st...) and layer on the paint in the marked areas. Multiple layers will be needed to build it up to the same height as the original paint. Dont worry about it looking rough just yet.
Once dry (fully dry!...) get some 1200 wet/dry. Thouroughly soak it and gently rub down the paint you have applied, repeatedly dunking it in water to keep soaked and to remove any grit. Keep checking what you are doing and eventually it will look flat and hopefully blend somewhat with the existing paint. The area will look matt though but the next step will sort that.
Get some car polish, Not wax. Car Polish. Tcut original will do the job I think. Not sure how abrassive it is. Don't get anything too harsh though (like rubbing compound). AG Super resin polish will do the job.
Get a polishing cloth, wet it a little and wring it so it is just damp. Apply a splodge (technical, i know..) of polish to the cloth and polish up the area you have painted. This will bring the shine back to the matt paint and also help blend any slightly rough looking parts of the new paint.
Follow this method and take your time and it will look spot on. Donet it many a time myself.
h to match so make sure its atleast been made up from the correct colour code.buy a fine artists paint brush (dont use the one with the stick, they are s
t...) and layer on the paint in the marked areas. Multiple layers will be needed to build it up to the same height as the original paint. Dont worry about it looking rough just yet.Once dry (fully dry!...) get some 1200 wet/dry. Thouroughly soak it and gently rub down the paint you have applied, repeatedly dunking it in water to keep soaked and to remove any grit. Keep checking what you are doing and eventually it will look flat and hopefully blend somewhat with the existing paint. The area will look matt though but the next step will sort that.
Get some car polish, Not wax. Car Polish. Tcut original will do the job I think. Not sure how abrassive it is. Don't get anything too harsh though (like rubbing compound). AG Super resin polish will do the job.
Get a polishing cloth, wet it a little and wring it so it is just damp. Apply a splodge (technical, i know..) of polish to the cloth and polish up the area you have painted. This will bring the shine back to the matt paint and also help blend any slightly rough looking parts of the new paint.
Follow this method and take your time and it will look spot on. Donet it many a time myself.
Edited by Deluded on Tuesday 19th June 13:01
ajb85 said:
If you are Mr. Meticulous then painting it would be the only option. An old boy with an immaculate Jag XJ6 would probably take this option.
But realistically he (or she) has taken off such a small amount of paint I think a touch up with a really steady hand would look fine. If I was selling your car I would probably do this, and declare that it was the only mark on the bodywork. If you have the colour code (probably on a sticker on the inside of the door frame) or name of colour, Halfords should definitely stock a touch up pen for your Clio. £7 or so last time I bought one. Obviously make sure the area you're painting is clean, and my advice would be to apply the absolute bear minimum, brushing off any excess on the top of the pen before going near the bumper. Nice gentle stroke for each scratch. Quite straight forward really! Good luck.
Cheers for the advice, I will attempt a touch up and see how I get on. If I am not happy with my work then I will have it sprayed.But realistically he (or she) has taken off such a small amount of paint I think a touch up with a really steady hand would look fine. If I was selling your car I would probably do this, and declare that it was the only mark on the bodywork. If you have the colour code (probably on a sticker on the inside of the door frame) or name of colour, Halfords should definitely stock a touch up pen for your Clio. £7 or so last time I bought one. Obviously make sure the area you're painting is clean, and my advice would be to apply the absolute bear minimum, brushing off any excess on the top of the pen before going near the bumper. Nice gentle stroke for each scratch. Quite straight forward really! Good luck.
After it has dried should I then attempt to Tcut it down then do it again? Just guessing...
Deluded said:
Get a touch up stick in the correct colour (none of this name matching rubbish in halfords), silvers are a bh to match so make sure its atleast been made up from the correct colour code.
buy a fine artists paint brush (dont use the one with the stick, they are st...) and layer on the paint in the marked areas. Multiple layers will be needed to build it up to the same height as the original paint. Dont worry about it looking rough just yet.
Once dry (fully dry!...) get some 1200 wet/dry. Thouroughly soak it and gently rub down the paint you have applied, repeatedly dunking it in water to keep soaked and to remove any grit. Keep checking what you are doing and eventually it will look flat and hopefully blend somewhat with the existing paint. The area will look matt though but the next step will sort that.
Get some car polish, Not wax. Car Polish. Tcut original will do the job I think. Not sure how abrassive it is. Don't get anything too harsh though (like rubbing compound). AG Super resin polish will do the job.
Get a polishing cloth, wet it a little and wring it so it is just damp. Apply a splodge (technical, i know..) of polish to the cloth and polish up the area you have painted. This will bring the shine back to the matt paint.
Follow this method and take your time and it will look spot on. Dont it many a time myself.
Where would you suggest I obtain the touch up paint from?h to match so make sure its atleast been made up from the correct colour code.buy a fine artists paint brush (dont use the one with the stick, they are s
t...) and layer on the paint in the marked areas. Multiple layers will be needed to build it up to the same height as the original paint. Dont worry about it looking rough just yet.Once dry (fully dry!...) get some 1200 wet/dry. Thouroughly soak it and gently rub down the paint you have applied, repeatedly dunking it in water to keep soaked and to remove any grit. Keep checking what you are doing and eventually it will look flat and hopefully blend somewhat with the existing paint. The area will look matt though but the next step will sort that.
Get some car polish, Not wax. Car Polish. Tcut original will do the job I think. Not sure how abrassive it is. Don't get anything too harsh though (like rubbing compound). AG Super resin polish will do the job.
Get a polishing cloth, wet it a little and wring it so it is just damp. Apply a splodge (technical, i know..) of polish to the cloth and polish up the area you have painted. This will bring the shine back to the matt paint.
Follow this method and take your time and it will look spot on. Dont it many a time myself.
Think 'Deluded's' advice will provide them most thorough job, and a finish that you would not see from even 2 paces away.
The alternative to buying a touch up pen from Halfords would be to buy a paint aerosol from Halfords, spray the paint into the cap, as if it was a cup, and then use a fine artist brush to apply the paint.
The alternative to buying a touch up pen from Halfords would be to buy a paint aerosol from Halfords, spray the paint into the cap, as if it was a cup, and then use a fine artist brush to apply the paint.
Plenty of places online that can do it, or some motor factors will be able to get it done for you. Halfords do mix up sticks from paint codes too but I've never done it with them so no idea if it's as easy as walking in, waiting 10 mins and walking out with it etc.
The stuff off the shelf in halfords may do the job though, but I garuntee there will be atleast 5 different renault silvers and the labels are only a guide so not worth just guessing. The wrong colour will look just as bad as the scratches, no matter how much sanding and polishing you do.
Used to get spray cans mixed by this place all the time - http://auto-paint.co.uk/carpaint/
The stuff off the shelf in halfords may do the job though, but I garuntee there will be atleast 5 different renault silvers and the labels are only a guide so not worth just guessing. The wrong colour will look just as bad as the scratches, no matter how much sanding and polishing you do.
Used to get spray cans mixed by this place all the time - http://auto-paint.co.uk/carpaint/
Deluded said:
Plenty of places online that can do it, or some motor factors will be able to get it done for you. Halfords do mix up sticks from paint codes too but I've never done it with them so no idea if it's as easy as walking in, waiting 10 mins and walking out with it etc.
The stuff off the shelf in halfords may do the job though, but I garuntee there will be atleast 5 different renault silvers and the labels are only a guide so not worth just guessing. The wrong colour will look just as bad as the scratches, no matter how much sanding and polishing you do.
Used to get spray cans mixed by this place all the time - http://auto-paint.co.uk/carpaint/
How would i find out the name of my paint colour? As its a 172 would their be specific colours? The stuff off the shelf in halfords may do the job though, but I garuntee there will be atleast 5 different renault silvers and the labels are only a guide so not worth just guessing. The wrong colour will look just as bad as the scratches, no matter how much sanding and polishing you do.
Used to get spray cans mixed by this place all the time - http://auto-paint.co.uk/carpaint/
Deluded said:
Paint code will be on a sticker somewhere on the car. May be on the vin plate. Don't really know with Renaults. May be in the original owners manual.
To find the name, google the paint code and it will most likely bring it up.
Thank you very much for your advice. I will update this thread and photograph my handy work.To find the name, google the paint code and it will most likely bring it up.
Cheers very much!
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