So my little old lady neighbor decided to help me out and brush all of the snow off of my car when I was at work the other day. It was a very nice gesture......but I think the broom she used must have been the same broom that she just used to sweep up all of the rocks off of the garage floor. It was in the 50's today so I deiced to wash all of the salt and road grime off of my car....and the thing is covered with scratches. There are some scratches that are even through the clear into the base coat, and some even so deep they are down to primer. On one hand it really pisses me off, but on the other hand......the little old lady was just trying to be nice. I guess I learned my lesson...I need to park the car in the garage and not let it sit out and get covered in snow. I was driving my truck, so it was in the garage instead. Is there anyone here that would confront the little old lady? There is nothing that can really be done about it..I'm sure as hell not going to try to stick her with a repair bill. I figure that in the grand scheme of things...it's not that big of a deal. Who knows...she may scare off someone trying to break in my house one of these days It still drives me nuts that the car has 120,000 miles on it...and not a scratch on it, until now. Here are just a few of them, there are about a dozen total in different areas. Hopefully I can wet sand most of them out.

 

I would just lie to her and say that you appreciate the gesture, but she made a light scratch when she tried to help and it's not a big deal. Just that you wanted to let her know it's not necessary to "help" when it comes to your car to avoid any future potential issues.

Then for Christmas, bring her a tin of cookies to show you're still on good terms as neighbors.

 

Wow this is really an unfortunate situation. While I agree no since coming down on her for what was done with the best intention I would feel the need to bring it to her attention to prevent it happening again or to another one of your vehicles. Also any chance she has insurance that might cover the damage?

Really sucks..

Regards,

Mike.

 

What Day177017 said^^

As for the scratches, I would just hit them with clear coat so they don't get worse and be happy I don't have to worry about getting that first scratch again!

 

If this is some nice old lady with a heart of gold... I wouldn't say a thing.. I just couldn't..she was trying to do something to nice..bringing it to her attention would break her heart.. I had something similar happen to me..and all I did was say thank you and bit my toung..and still gave her xmas goodies..because in the end the lady was just trying help me out and really had a heart of gold..the following summer I had the car touched up! in the end all is well..if anything I just paved my way to heaven ha ha..

 

WOW! She must of really been trying to get the snow off the car since they are so deep. Unfortunate but like you said.... nothing you can really do about it now. I prolly wouldnt say anything either.

 

Yep, I think I will airbrush a little clear on the scratches, wet sand them down, buff back to a shine...and hopefully they won't be noticeable.

 

Depending on how deep those scratches are you may be able to buff them out. I'd try that before adding any clear coat.

 

I would thank her, yet tell her. Wouldn't want it happening again.

I'm sure she would want to know.

 

She's a tough old lady to put some scratches like that in the car. That's terrible, I hope insurance comes it some how.

 

Was your car iced over?

 

It was just covered in snow from me leaving it out at night so I could fit my truck in the garage. I guess she was just trying to be nice.

Not sure what kind of broom she used, but it must have been full of rocks or something

Oh well, I guess I get to see how good my touch up skills are now

 

Had the same thing happen to me on my old car only the person took an ice scraper to my hood!
Luckily it was only in the clear coat on mine and was easily buffed out! Best of luck in your situation.

 

I think I would make a police report call it vandalism and make a claim with the insurance co. and no one knows who did it?

 

Home owners insurance. It was on your property! No deductible.

 

This is what I was thinking

 

Homeowners policies still have a deductible and you will get hit harder for a claim through homeowners than you would be putting it through your auto policy. When I say hit harder I am referring to the increase in your rates after putting a claim through.

The smartest thing to do if planning to use insurance would be to file a claim under comprehensive coverage or UMPD for vandalism. Make sure to say you do not know who did it, simply state that you came out and found it that way. I am an Insurance agent so consider this advice from someone who has a little insight into how these things work

 

Heart of gold, you lot!