Got side swiped. Should I polish or repaint?

[geep81]

You did a good job trying to fix it, but I'd have to take that to get painted now.

You're really close, and maybe a good PDR person could get that dent out. Past that, perhaps you could live with it because rock chips do this sort of damage over time so it's not too bad looking to me.

Tough to do with a 1 year old car.

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[Garfy]

I washed the area and applied some polishing compound. Got it looking better but there’s still a dent and some scrapes.

I took it to a body shop for an estimate and they would need to sand and repaint both the bumper and fender to get it looking new again. $2400 cost.
I’m going to get it checked out by a detail shop though to see if they think they can polish out the remaining scratches, but I think they’re deep in the paint so probably not doable.

I wonder if the guy who hit your car would balk at the $2400 cost. Lots of people think a "minor" scratch/scrape is only a couple hundred dollars. Not so. If the guy is willing to pay that, I'd do it that way at a pro shop.

 

[Lunixor]

I wonder if the guy who hit your car would balk at the $2400 cost. Lots of people think a "minor" scratch/scrape is only a couple hundred dollars. Not so. If the guy is willing to pay that, I'd do it that way at a pro shop.

Insurance has already approved the claim and assigned him 100% responsibility, so whichever route I take, it will be covered by insurance.

 

[2016S550]

I wonder if the guy who hit your car would balk at the $2400 cost. Lots of people think a "minor" scratch/scrape is only a couple hundred dollars. Not so. If the guy is willing to pay that, I'd do it that way at a pro shop.

I gotta admit, hearing $2400 to repair this would probably send me into orbit if I had to pay myself. Get a couple additional estimates and then decide what works best. The at fault person really has no recourse as to not paying for the cost of the repair. Did you get the other drivers insurance information to file a claim if need? I would probably speak to the at fault party and record their admission before dropping that bomb on them if indeed it’s going to be $2400. They may change their tune after hearing that and then it’s their word against yours and you are in store for a he said she said civil lawsuit. Sounds crazy based on looking at the photo but money is the root of all evil………..

 

[IPOGT]

They left a note actually and were quite apologetic. They also offered to pay for the repair. I’m just concerned with how I can get the repair done in a way where I’m not gonna notice the defects later.

That is a standup person, so rare these days and so refreshing to see. Stuff happens. Wish everyone was like that.

 

[MAGS1]

Insurance has already approved the claim and assigned him 100% responsibility, so whichever route I take, it will be covered by insurance.

I wouldn’t even bother with a detail shop if it’s already been approved. I’d go the body shop route. They’ll get the dent out and the respray will be the better long term solution, especially if those remaining scratches are deeper than the clear coat.

 

[RagmopInKona]

They left a note actually and were quite apologetic. They also offered to pay for the repair. I’m just concerned with how I can get the repair done in a way where I’m not gonna notice the defects later.

A good shop will blend the surrounding panels so it will not show.

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