Scratch Repair

rpenney77 · Jun 6th, 2021, 17:10

Afternoon all - Following a trip to my local retail park I was greeted with the dreaded scratch on the rear passenger door from a careless fellow patron opening their door onto mine 🤬.

I’ve been quoted £240 by Chipsaway. I’m keen to understand if a) this is reasonable, b) what experiences people have had with Chipsaway and finally c) any better / cheaper options?

I’m gutted as whilst it’s a small chip, it sticks out like a sore thumb!

rudi dudi · Jun 6th, 2021, 20:51

Chipsaway = Smart repair = Blow in bodge.
Id leave it or touch it up with a touch up stick with a very very fine artist brush.
Build the layers up over time and sightly proud before buffing back.
Id rather have original paintwork than scratch free blow in anyday.

Bashy · Jun 7th, 2021, 01:43

Chips Away is a gamble, depends on the person you get as to whether or not you get a good job, as stated above, it will be a local repair thus doing a small local spray job (not spraying the full panel) and blending it into the rest of the panel. By rights, you should not be able to see the repair and a few of the lads i have come across have been good at it, but ive also seen some bodge jobs too. Also you need to make sure you get a very good warranty with it, so if it starts to show after a year or two, they will come back a repair it again.

Or, you could get the correct colour, using a tooth pic or similar pointed object, and proceed to touch it in yourself, dont rush, dont try to fill it all in one go, do it with the panel in the sun so its hot, it will dry much quicker and you can then build up the layers, and a final dob of lacquer to finish, Dob the paint in the center of the chip and you will be able to use the pick to paint the paint to the edge, the idea is to NOT go out of the chip (over fill), over flowing shows up more than under filled. Dont be afraid to wipe it and start again so have a bottle of thinners on hand, put some on a rag and wipe the pain off again, then start again.

I used to do this for a living, ive also done the chips away idea but with a different company before i focused purely on the dent removal side and now a bad back stops everything

rpenney77 · Jun 7th, 2021, 08:36

Thanks for the info. Was leaning to touch up although may get my artist daughter to have a go as a) she’s got patience and b) isn’t a ham fisted fool like her father 😀.

rpenney77 · Jun 8th, 2021, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bashy

Chips Away is a gamble, depends on the person you get as to whether or not you get a good job, as stated above, it will be a local repair thus doing a small local spray job (not spraying the full panel) and blending it into the rest of the panel. By rights, you should not be able to see the repair and a few of the lads i have come across have been good at it, but ive also seen some bodge jobs too. Also you need to make sure you get a very good warranty with it, so if it starts to show after a year or two, they will come back a repair it again.

Or, you could get the correct colour, using a tooth pic or similar pointed object, and proceed to touch it in yourself, dont rush, dont try to fill it all in one go, do it with the panel in the sun so its hot, it will dry much quicker and you can then build up the layers, and a final dob of lacquer to finish, Dob the paint in the center of the chip and you will be able to use the pick to paint the paint to the edge, the idea is to NOT go out of the chip (over fill), over flowing shows up more than under filled. Dont be afraid to wipe it and start again so have a bottle of thinners on hand, put some on a rag and wipe the pain off again, then start again.

I used to do this for a living, ive also done the chips away idea but with a different company before i focused purely on the dent removal side and now a bad back stops everything

OK, so I have decided to go with the Touch-up Paint route... Thanks all for the recommendation. In addition to the above fantastic info, any decent YouTube tutorials you would recommend for an absolute novice? The ones I have found so far are more suited for someone with a half decent level of skill.

Polestar Pete · Jun 8th, 2021, 11:56

If you can, try practicing a repair on something other than your car first so that you can be clear of the steps.

Try to find a bit of metal with some paint on and try repairing it. Keep practicing and adjusting your method until you're either comfortable or want to find someone else to do it.

MikeGMT · Jun 8th, 2021, 13:15

Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to touch ups, and less is infinitely better (than more).

Correct me if I am wrong, but looking at your piccies of the damage, and increasing the image to maximum it looks as though it is just the clear coat that has been damaged, in which case a touch of clear coat and then polish after a few days to blend in the repair.

Again looking at the pictures I would give the area a polish with something like T Cut or a Scratch Removal Paste and it will probably remove the faint scratches and get rid of the halos around the chips as well as any debris from the damage. Then swipe over with IPS or solvent to ensure the area is perfectly clean and wax free.

If the damage requires some base colour I have had good results by using a stippling motion rather than the usual brushing into the chip. The brush supplied with the paint, (if using the Volvo touch up kit) is better for this as it is stiffer than a artists brush. Give the paint a good shake, dip brush and then wipe of the excess, and then I usually dab the brush on a piece of card to remove even more paint and get a good idea of how much paint will be applied, you want the absolute minimum you can get away with while still applying some colour. Too much metallic paint will look more like a solid colour as the flakes won't show through. Three or four coats and the colour should be hopefully a match to the original and still below the level of the original paintwork, (leave about 20min. between each layer) then apply the clear coat after a few days to bring the surface level. Leave for a week for the paint to harden and then carefully polish the area to blend in.

As mentioned earlier, patience is key and will determine how good the repair turns out.

Just lately I have used this kit with good results.

https://chipex.co.uk

https://vimeo.com/335065119

rpenney77 · Jun 9th, 2021, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeGMT

Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to touch ups, and less is infinitely better (than more).

Correct me if I am wrong, but looking at your piccies of the damage, and increasing the image to maximum it looks as though it is just the clear coat that has been damaged, in which case a touch of clear coat and then polish after a few days to blend in the repair.

Again looking at the pictures I would give the area a polish with something like T Cut or a Scratch Removal Paste and it will probably remove the faint scratches and get rid of the halos around the chips as well as any debris from the damage. Then swipe over with IPS or solvent to ensure the area is perfectly clean and wax free.

If the damage requires some base colour I have had good results by using a stippling motion rather than the usual brushing into the chip. The brush supplied with the paint, (if using the Volvo touch up kit) is better for this as it is stiffer than a artists brush. Give the paint a good shake, dip brush and then wipe of the excess, and then I usually dab the brush on a piece of card to remove even more paint and get a good idea of how much paint will be applied, you want the absolute minimum you can get away with while still applying some colour. Too much metallic paint will look more like a solid colour as the flakes won't show through. Three or four coats and the colour should be hopefully a match to the original and still below the level of the original paintwork, (leave about 20min. between each layer) then apply the clear coat after a few days to bring the surface level. Leave for a week for the paint to harden and then carefully polish the area to blend in.

As mentioned earlier, patience is key and will determine how good the repair turns out.

Just lately I have used this kit with good results.

https://chipex.co.uk

https://vimeo.com/335065119

Awesome... Thank you, and yes I have ordered the Volvo Touch-up kit. Sadly it has shipped off some of the paint so I will need the base coat.

Robbie34 · Jun 9th, 2021, 19:41

That is far too expensive. I used this company https://revive-uk.com/ who did an excellent job for £120.

How do I post a pic from my PC to show the damaged front wing?

Robbie34 · Jun 9th, 2021, 19:47

Attached pic of damage.

Jun 7th, 2021, 01:43	#3
Bashy Aged Member Last Online: Feb 20th, 2024 09:47 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Weeting	Chips Away is a gamble, depends on the person you get as to whether or not you get a good job, as stated above, it will be a local repair thus doing a small local spray job (not spraying the full panel) and blending it into the rest of the panel. By rights, you should not be able to see the repair and a few of the lads i have come across have been good at it, but ive also seen some bodge jobs too. Also you need to make sure you get a very good warranty with it, so if it starts to show after a year or two, they will come back a repair it again. Or, you could get the correct colour, using a tooth pic or similar pointed object, and proceed to touch it in yourself, dont rush, dont try to fill it all in one go, do it with the panel in the sun so its hot, it will dry much quicker and you can then build up the layers, and a final dob of lacquer to finish, Dob the paint in the center of the chip and you will be able to use the pick to paint the paint to the edge, the idea is to NOT go out of the chip (over fill), over flowing shows up more than under filled. Dont be afraid to wipe it and start again so have a bottle of thinners on hand, put some on a rag and wipe the pain off again, then start again. I used to do this for a living, ive also done the chips away idea but with a different company before i focused purely on the dent removal side and now a bad back stops everything __________________ Regards, Bashy MY07 (56 plate) V70 Geartronic 2.4 D5 185bhp 173k, 17", full leather, an auto-dimming mirror and auto wipers are the best it can do - I have added (poorly) limo black, rear camera and parking sensors

Jun 8th, 2021, 11:56	#6
Polestar Pete Polestar Last Online: Mar 23rd, 2022 14:31 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Wokingham	If you can, try practicing a repair on something other than your car first so that you can be clear of the steps. Try to find a bit of metal with some paint on and try repairing it. Keep practicing and adjusting your method until you're either comfortable or want to find someone else to do it. __________________ *Pete* XC60 T8 R Design Pro

Jun 8th, 2021, 13:15	#7
MikeGMT VOC Member Last Online: Today 11:40 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Kingston upon Hull, E.Yorks.	Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to touch ups, and less is infinitely better (than more). Correct me if I am wrong, but looking at your piccies of the damage, and increasing the image to maximum it looks as though it is just the clear coat that has been damaged, in which case a touch of clear coat and then polish after a few days to blend in the repair. Again looking at the pictures I would give the area a polish with something like T Cut or a Scratch Removal Paste and it will probably remove the faint scratches and get rid of the halos around the chips as well as any debris from the damage. Then swipe over with IPS or solvent to ensure the area is perfectly clean and wax free. If the damage requires some base colour I have had good results by using a stippling motion rather than the usual brushing into the chip. The brush supplied with the paint, (if using the Volvo touch up kit) is better for this as it is stiffer than a artists brush. Give the paint a good shake, dip brush and then wipe of the excess, and then I usually dab the brush on a piece of card to remove even more paint and get a good idea of how much paint will be applied, you want the absolute minimum you can get away with while still applying some colour. Too much metallic paint will look more like a solid colour as the flakes won't show through. Three or four coats and the colour should be hopefully a match to the original and still below the level of the original paintwork, (leave about 20min. between each layer) then apply the clear coat after a few days to bring the surface level. Leave for a week for the paint to harden and then carefully polish the area to blend in. As mentioned earlier, patience is key and will determine how good the repair turns out. Just lately I have used this kit with good results. https://chipex.co.uk https://vimeo.com/335065119 __________________ Volvo V90 D4 CC Pro : Osmium Grey : P* ____________________ It’s a cold day in Wagga Wagga ____________________ Who Knocks the Knockerupper Up Last edited by MikeGMT; Jun 8th, 2021 at 15:36.

Jun 9th, 2021, 19:41	#9
Robbie34 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2023 12:48 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Prescot	That is far too expensive. I used this company https://revive-uk.com/ who did an excellent job for £120. How do I post a pic from my PC to show the damaged front wing? __________________ Volvo V60 Momentum Pro D4 2019

Jun 6th, 2021, 20:51	#2
rudi dudi DPF free.FCUK Greta he he Last Online: Mar 28th, 2024 13:38 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bristol	Chipsaway = Smart repair = Blow in bodge. Id leave it or touch it up with a touch up stick with a very very fine artist brush. Build the layers up over time and sightly proud before buffing back. Id rather have original paintwork than scratch free blow in anyday.

Jun 7th, 2021, 08:36	#4
rpenney77 New Member Last Online: Aug 22nd, 2023 19:31 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Leamington Spa	Thanks for the info. Was leaning to touch up although may get my artist daughter to have a go as a) she’s got patience and b) isn’t a ham fisted fool like her father 😀.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)