How is best to repair scatches after car was keyed?

[jimbo96]

Hi, My girlfriends car got keyed a couple of nights ago down her street. It left scratches down the passenger side, running from the rear of the car (just above the petrol cap) all the way to the front (just above the front wheel arch). The scratches are deep and fairly wide.

I've tried getting the touch up paint kit from halfords, which contains primer, lacquer and the paint, however it is very difficult to use and looks even worse than before!

Please can anyone give me any advice on how to repair it, as I'm sure this has happened to many of you!! It has really upset my girlfriend, and I want to sort it out for her asap! Thanks for your anticipated help!

[NORMANTHEDOG]

there is really only one way to have it done and thats proffesionally in a spray shop,if its a deep scratch,it will never look good by touching it up,cost about �400500, to have whole side done.

[tali122]

be warned -if someone has scratched your car in such away - it will be scratched again

[mr rusty]

You could try one of the 'smart' repairers, who come to your house and do dents, chips, and scratches- there are a lot of these around now and they are pretty good: dent devils or chips away are two that spring to mind.

If you don't want to spend much money there's an old traders trick you can try- buy a big set of kiddies wax crayons, find the one with the closest colour match, and rub it into the scratch until it fills it with coloured wax.
Then polish it up with a cloth and use a body coloured car wax over the top- it won't be perfect but the scratch won't be very obvious unless you look hard-a casual passer by won't spot it at all- and it's a lot cheaper than a respray!!

[jimbo96]

Thanks alot for all your suggestions so far, it is much appreciated.

With regards to Normanthedog's comment- I was beginning to think that as well! To be honest I dont have a clue what im doing, and even using the correct colour match isn't any good, especially because its metallic!

With regards to tali22's comment, I was thinking the same thing. Would be very annoying to spend lots of money having it done, when theres nothing to stop it happening again tomorrow!!

Mr Rusty thanks for that idea, think I might give it a go! With the body coloured car wax do I need an exact match, or a special one for metallic paint?

Some great ideas guys!! I let you know how it goes!!

[tali122]

best to get a perimeter alarm

[jimbo96]

Im assuming these are expensive to buy, and fit??