Repairing a scratch

[adaykin]

Unfortunately my dad hit my car with his mirror and gave it a small scratch. What should I expect this to cost, and what would be the best way of fixing it?

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w280...9.26.jpg?rlkey=fm3k3qtfewlvuesb90hpzy2ot&dl=0

Sponsored

 

[jn bot]

Would have to see the scratch

 

[adaykin]

It's in the picture in the dropbox link...the white mark

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Boy, did you dad just keep driving?

Seems like you went through the paint. An orbital buffer, good compound, and 30 minutes will make it much less noticeable. If you want it totally gone, it’s going to be several hundred dollars I would think. But others may have a better sense.

 

[Time2Roll]

Dad has a white car? Looks like paint was deposited and could be removed with some mild rubbing compound and a little elbow grease. Local auto parts store has these items.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Try Meguiar’s Scratch-X

 

[CharonPDX]

Hard to tell, that might not even be a true scratch, it might be a mark left behind by the other vehicle, and just buff out.

But if it is an actual scratch, there's Rivian official paint pens.

 

[Rivian Owner]

By far better than the touchup pens from Rivian, try Dr Colorchip. Dr Colorchip will match the vehicle color and the results are undetectable. I've used their products on several vehicles with great results. Their stuff works really well for road rash chips you get, but it can also help with something like this. As mentioned, if there was paint deposited from the other vehicle, you'll need to remove that first with some light buffing. I'd agree in some cases you can buff out the scratch (many times if it looks white it is actually the clear coat being scratched), but for someone who hasn't buffed things out, I'd be cautious about getting too aggressive. I'm sure you can find some online videos about how to polish your paint. Starting out I wouldn't try a machine to buff things out until you have some experience with hand rubbing as a machine can cut through the paint quickly if you aren't careful. Also if you try to buff things out, be very careful at sharp edges and trim because the pressure of your rubbing is concentrated and those areas can most easily be rubbed through before you know it.

With that said, the Dr Colorchip stuff can be applied and completely wiped off if you don't like the results, so you won't do lasting damage if you don't let it cure 100%. It gives you second, third, and even fourth chances to get it just right. I've used it on my R1T on both the body color as well as for the black trim on the front bumper and the silver trim. No I don't work for them in any capacity, I just like to help people find good solutions that work well.

Good luck!

 

[iansriv]

Like others have noted, try fixing it yourself first. If that doesnt work, search for a scratch repair guy. It's been awhile (luckily for me) but it used to cost me about $100/scratch pre-covid. Next time, park as far from your dad as possible.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Dad has a white car? Looks like paint was deposited and could be removed with some mild rubbing compound and a little elbow grease. Local auto parts store has these items.

Good call. If it’s paint transfer, it will come right off.

 

[adaykin]

Dad has a white car? Looks like paint was deposited and could be removed with some mild rubbing compound and a little elbow grease. Local auto parts store has these items.

The rubbing compound seemed to do the trick. Back to like it was before. Thanks for the response!

 

[iansriv]

Glad it worked for you, mate. My car got hit on the passenger side by an idiot. It's a long deep scratch. Probably too deep to buff out. Taking it to a body shop next week. I didnt realise how much I cared about the car until I saw the scratch.

Sponsored