DIY scratch repair - advice needed

[TomE]

I've picked up a scratch below the passenger door and figured I might try fixing it myself. I reckon if I can do it then great, and if it doesn't work out then I'll track down a bodyshop.

I haven't done any car paintwork before but have seen some of the threads here, including this one and the reference to https://www.paintscratch.com/ which has lots of info. But a couple of questions:
1) Is there an equivalent supplier in the UK (PS won't ship some items outside US), other than touch up pens from SJS, Paul Matty etc?
2) Any particular advice on how to tackle this, as the lower scratch is quite deep and needs filling as well as painting? What tools, consumables etc will I need to do a decent job?

Or should I just call in ChipsAway etc or take it to a bodyshop, as less hassle for what ?£300ish?

[Paul.P]

Tom, the lotus touch up pens ive bought from PM's were useless, in fact one had no paint in it, don't know how old it was ?. If its that deep & you've no experience of bodywork, i would take to bodyshop, although they will probably have to paint the whole sill, i wouldn't of thought it would be anywhere near £300 , ask them for a quote ?

[Rambo]

Tom - try your local ChipsAway. I've heard good feedback from several people. They will colour match the paint and I've heard its not too expensive - probably be <<<<£300 as they will attend to the local damage rather than spray a whole panel. However, as they are a franchise, it will entirely depend on the skills of the local technician. I would ask to see some examples of scratch repair. They would be my first port of call anyway.

I have found the paintsticks (ex SJS ~£7) to be quite good - but just for minor bonnet and sill paint chips !

[al]

I've picked up a scratch below the passenger door and figured I might try fixing it myself.

Think you've got it bad, look what some fucktard did to my front bumper :



The fecker obviously crashed into me trying to park whatever vehicle it is that they don't know how to drive, realised what they'd done and then pissed off without leaving so much as a 'sorry' note.

Anyway, pulling my anger back on track, I found these guys:
http://www.paints4u.com
They'll mix up paint based on OEM paint codes (they know about Lotus codes) and they'll make you a small touch up kit, custom colour aerosol, or larger amounts for your spray gun. They seem to carry everything else you might need for the job too.

I'm quite tempted to try it out with my bumper - I'm pretty sure I'll screw it up but on the other hand I've not much to lose, I'll have to get it resprayed anyway (local place quoted £400!)

grr.

[TomE]

Thanks folks, that's really helpful. I've just spotted that Halfords are offering a scratch repair service similar to Chipsaway, so I might get both to quote and show me some of their previous work. The paints4u setup looks good as well if I decide to take the plunge.

al, that's f***ing annoying and sadly rather too common these days. Fortunately I caught the guy who scraped all down the side of my everyday car - he'd left it parked next to mine with paint all over his bumper! Thank goodness for camera phones. Hope you manage to get it sorted.

[chris.t]

I think your scratch is more of a gouge(sp?) and will need the gelcoat repaired before painting.

[TomE]

I think your scratch is more of a gouge(sp?) and will need the gelcoat repaired before painting.

You could be right. What counts as "too deep"?! And if it needs the gelcoat repairing, what's involved?

[GeoffSmith]

Are you sure you boys haven't been a bit cavalier with the zimmers?

Seriously, commiserations to both of you. I'm afraid it doesn't seem to be getting any better either, people just can't be arsed, even to leave a note saying sorry.

It would be worth asking Phil's (as in Surfer) advice as he's done a couple of decent repairs on his.

[TomE]

I've just confirmed with Lotus that my car is the older ICI two pack acrylic polyurethane paint rather than the DuPont basecoat/clear acrylic enamel paint (missed out by 10 cars and a couple of days!). What difference does the type of paint make to DIY/Chipsaway/bodyshop repair?

[MattDon]

ive had mine keyed all down the drivers side doesnt look too deep though, any tips?

[TomE]

I'm getting these folks to quote and show me what they've done before:
Chipsaway
Halfords

Or you could get the touch up pen (eg SJ Sportscars) and have a go yourself.