Hi...

A few !@#$!@#$$##$%#$% trucks just HAD to barrel past me and kick up winter highway sand onto my beautiful red mini.

Now, I have small scratches and one where it's down to the base metal. I bought my car in spring '04. I want to have the hood painted, but realize there may be other less expensive way to repair this, but I want my car to
look like it just came off the showroom flloor.

What are your thoughts? Are those invisible bras any good? I'd love any thoughts that you can share.

My Mini is a CR/Blck Roof

 

The clear bras are fanatastic. I've had one on my car since shortly after I bought it (8/03) and it has held up very well. Though the clear bra will do nothing to hide the scratches/chips you've already got, I'd recommend getting one once you get your bonnet painted.

 

Hmmm. I'd really have to see the damage before I could EVER reccomend painting a pannel. I'd take the car to a body shop and see if the majority couldn't be buffed out and the deep scratch touched up - or if you have a porter cable buffer and the right polishes, you might try this yourself.

When I buy a used car I run from anything that's had ANY paint work for any reason. Having the hood painted will introduce other issues that may be more troublesome than the chips themselves - trash in the paint, fisheyes, orange peel, color mismatches, rough edges, overspray. If you do decide to get the hood painted, take tons of pics of the damage so if a possible future owner of the vehicle suspects that the car is not all original, you can show him WHY the car was painted. Personally, I'm always a but suspicious of any car with a few miles that doesn't have a few rock chips. Of course this is all moot if the scratches are severe. If that's the case, do your research around town and find the BEST bodyshop you can - and I bet money it won't be the one the dealership suggests.

My 0.02

Matt

 

I appreciate your advice and input.

 

If you've only got one scratch down to the metal, I would highly advise against a repaint. I've been **** about my cars for years, but reality is that if you drive them, you'll get road 'battle scars'. If you don't feel comfortable with touchup paint, then a body shop would surely do some touchup for less than a repaint. Intofx lists all the possible issues.
If you ARE into trying it yourself, you can do an entire process including several layers of paint, and wet sanding with 1500-2000 grit that will make it look good as new.

 

I got a quote for a repaint. The man I spoke with said that it would be noticible if he touched it up. He said that the entire bonnet would need to be done. He said the areas where there are stone chips he would "treat" those, but not pain the whole bonnet, but do something. Sorry I am so vague but I was trying to track with him. It would require taking lights off, taping things off, and wipers off. He quoted me $448.00 for 4 hours and materials. He said it would look like it did when I bought it.

I'm so confused as what to do. The mark on my hood is the size of "OO"