Okay, so I let a friend drive my car. In retrospect, I should have mentioned how low the car is. I didn't. He parked and scraped the underside of the spoiler. I'm upset about it, but it was an accident. I know it's just a car, but it makes me sick to think that there's a blemish. Looking at it from afar, you don't see it as bad. From close up, it sucks.
So, here's the question. Should I just buy some touch up paint? Granted, it wont look great, but at least it will cover the white scratches. I think I should hold off on having it painted because I will be lowering it soon. Once it's lowered, there's a higher probability that it'll scrape again. If I do use touch up paint, will it be just as easy for the shop to sand it and professionally paint it?
What are your thoughts? Here's some pics.
__________________ '06 SLK55 Caspian Blue / Black & Ash / DPE 19
[:0] Oooooh. That hurts..."Friends never let friends drive their SLKs." Now that the damage is done, though, I'd follow Shinigami's lead with the Scratch X and follow it up with some touch-up paint. At least it shouldn't be so obvious. Like you mentioned, you're probably going to be susceptible to a lot more scrapes if you're planning to lower your car. You might want to put some clear film under the lip in anticipation of future scrapes.
As far as the touch-up paint and future body work, I don't think it matters whether you use touch-up paint or not. The body shop will prep a much larger area than where the scratches are to make sure that the paint color blends into the rest of the car without being noticeable. My guess is that he'll do the entire underside of the lip and not just the area that's scratched. [;)]
Shinigami, I don't think that 'Scratch-X' would work. The white marks are due to the paint being scraped off. I'm guessing that the Scratch-X is designed to remove paint transfered from contact with another vehicle. I'll give it a shot, but I don't know if that is the way to go. Would touch-up paint be better? Not sure.
Taken from Meguiars website:
"Scratch X delivers fantastic results on fine surface blemishes. For tougher spots, you will need a more powerful formula and possibly a buffer or polisher. Do not attempt to restore scratches that go beyond the clear coat. You will need to consult a professional."
I think unless people regularly get down on their hands and knees infront of your car a la "we're not worthy" style you should just leave it. I have something similar on mine and i have never been able to see it any other way.
well i used to use like colored black thick pen i dont know what is called in english and u pass it on the scratched parts :), i think u should use touch up paint because the scratchs are not eye catching and i will look as if nothing happend
Can you really see the scratches? I have actually taken a chunk out of the bumper. I can't see it but I know it is there. If it really bothers you, you can get the whole bumper replaced. It would cost you about $1000 ($500 for the bumper itself and the rest for labor and paint).
Can you really see the scratches? I have actually taken a chunk out of the bumper. I can't see it but I know it is there. If it really bothers you, you can get the whole bumper replaced. It would cost you about $1000 ($500 for the bumper itself and the rest for labor and paint).
I also learned my lesson by ripping up under the front bumper by backing out of a spot where I have ridden up over a barrier. It is about a 3/4" triagle of bumper. I actually went back to the spot the day after I noticed it while washing my SLK, and found the @#$@#% piece.
It bothered me for awhile, but I got over it. I can only see it if I lie down on the driveway and look under the car. That hasn't happened much.
I will replace the bumper if some other untoward event causes other damage in the area.
Funny (but not so funny) is that I never even knew I had pulled in far enough to override the barrier. I didn't know until I pulled out, but even that seemed to be mild. I would not have noticed at all, but when I washed the car I thought about the incident and decided to look at the underside. The next day I went back to the scene of the crime, and found the remaining piece of my poor bumper.
__________________
Edwardsville, Illinois
2006 SLK 350, Firemist Red Metallic, Beige Leather, 7-speed automatic; Comfort, Trim, Lighting, Entertainment with DVD Navigation, Heating, Premium packages.
Hey Apbaphil - My condolences. [V] That's one of the hardest things about driving the SLK. Going VERY slow when entering a parking lot and SLOWLY pulling up to those concrete curbs. The natural tendency is to progress at a normal speed when entering a parking lot as well as pull up until your wheels touch the concrete curb. Unless the curb is very low (under 5 1/2" high), you're going to scratch the underside of the lip. I purposely park in areas of the lot that don't have concrete curbs and if I can't avoid it, never pull UP to the curb, but WAY SHORT of it. Of course, that exposes the rear end a bit, but so far, so good. [;)]
Linear Mode
