Pal has a near new Suzuki. In bright red. It collected a scratch on the
tailgate. About 12 inches long. Probably vandalism.

The dealer said 300 quid to sort it, so I offered to have a go at buffing
it out. Didn't look to have gone through the paint - but the dealer said
it had. Pal decided not to bother.

Then asked the dealer about a cheaper repair. They offered one for 80
quid. Which was a mess.

So with it now looking far worse than the scratch did, had to go for the
300 quid one. Took a week. Came back the wrong colour (I didn't see this
one)

Back in to be done by a different paint shop. This time the paint matched
and my pal happy.

Saw the repair today for the first time. Another pal present. He says 'why
is there paint on the number plate, and why are there marks at the side of
it?'

Examination showed what looked like deep chips in the original paint which
had been painted over. Three of them. Biggest about the size of a 5p.

The paint finish in the numberplate recess looked straight out of the gun
- not the glassy smooth like the rest of it. With a couple of fish eyes
too.

So back into the main dealer for attempt number four. They're also going
to upgrade the sound system and fit reversing sensors, so watch this space
for more tales of woe. ;-)

--
*Remember not to forget that which you do not need to know.*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 19 Aug, 16:33, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:
Pal has a near new Suzuki. In bright red. It collected a scratch on the
tailgate. About 12 inches long. Probably vandalism.

The dealer said 300 quid to sort it, so I offered to have a go at buffing
it out. Didn't look to have gone through the paint - but the dealer said
it had. Pal decided not to bother.

Then asked the dealer about a cheaper repair. They offered one for 80
quid. Which was a mess.

So with it now looking far worse than the scratch did, had to go for the
300 quid one. Took a week. Came back the wrong colour (I didn't see this
one)

Back in to be done by a different paint shop. This time the paint matched
and my pal happy.

Saw the repair today for the first time. Another pal present. He says 'why
is there paint on the number plate, and why are there marks at the side of
it?'

Examination showed what looked like deep chips in the original paint which
had been painted over. Three of them. Biggest about the size of a 5p.

The paint finish in the numberplate recess looked straight out of the gun
- not the glassy smooth like the rest of it. With a couple of fish eyes
too.

So back into the main dealer for attempt number four. They're also going
to upgrade the sound system and fit reversing sensors, so watch this space
for more tales of woe. ;-)


FWIW I observed and had excellent results from a "chips away" type
block a couple of years ago - so good that he promptly became area
manager and then emigrated - the ******* ;))

He sorted a nasty scuff on a wheelarch, scratches on a door, scuffed
bumper on another, and other smaller bits and bobs - was here most of
a day, used my elec... but I thought it was £200 well spent - the
repairs were *undetectable*...

Jim K

In article
,
Jim K wrote:
FWIW I observed and had excellent results from a "chips away" type
block a couple of years ago - so good that he promptly became area
manager and then emigrated - the ******* ;))

He sorted a nasty scuff on a wheelarch, scratches on a door, scuffed
bumper on another, and other smaller bits and bobs - was here most of
a day, used my elec... but I thought it was £200 well spent - the
repairs were *undetectable*...

I was hoping he was going to try one of these types of outfits. I'm told
they can do wonders with scratches and chips.

Sadly, many seem to be fully employed going round secondhand car dealers
doing several cars at one visit, and can't be bothered with small one off
jobs.

--
*Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 19 Aug, 18:08, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:
In article
,
Jim K wrote:

FWIW I observed and had excellent results from a "chips away" type
block a couple of years ago - so good that he promptly became area
manager and then emigrated - the ******* ;))
He sorted a nasty scuff on a wheelarch, scratches on a door, scuffed
bumper on another, and other smaller bits and bobs - was here most of
a day, used my elec... but I thought it was £200 well spent - the
repairs were *undetectable*...

I was hoping he was going to try one of these types of outfits. I'm told
they can do wonders with scratches and chips.

Sadly, many seem to be fully employed going round secondhand car dealers
doing several cars at one visit, and can't be bothered with small one off
jobs.

Maybe tho I expect the tight-dealer-based jobs don't pay anywhere near
as well as a retail punter.....

Jim K

On 19 Aug, 16:33, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:
Pal has a near new Suzuki. In bright red. It collected a scratch on the
tailgate. About 12 inches long. Probably vandalism.

The dealer said 300 quid to sort it, so I offered to have a go at buffing
it out. Didn't look to have gone through the paint - but the dealer said
it had. Pal decided not to bother.

Then asked the dealer about a cheaper repair. They offered one for 80
quid. Which was a mess.

So with it now looking far worse than the scratch did, had to go for the
300 quid one. Took a week. Came back the wrong colour (I didn't see this
one)

Back in to be done by a different paint shop. This time the paint matched
and my pal happy.

Saw the repair today for the first time. Another pal present. He says 'why
is there paint on the number plate, and why are there marks at the side of
it?'

Examination showed what looked like deep chips in the original paint which
had been painted over. Three of them. Biggest about the size of a 5p.

The paint finish in the numberplate recess looked straight out of the gun
- not the glassy smooth like the rest of it. With a couple of fish eyes
too.

So back into the main dealer for attempt number four. They're also going
to upgrade the sound system and fit reversing sensors, so watch this space
for more tales of woe. ;-)

--
*Remember not to forget that which you do not need to know.*

* * Dave Plowman * * * * * * * * London SW
* * * * * * * * * To e-mail, change noise into sound.

At one time there was stuff like coloured putty you could rub into
scratches.
Dunno if it's still about. You let it harden & then T-cut it.

"harry" wrote in message
...
On 19 Aug, 16:33, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:
Pal has a near new Suzuki. In bright red. It collected a scratch on the
tailgate. About 12 inches long. Probably vandalism.

The dealer said 300 quid to sort it, so I offered to have a go at buffing
it out. Didn't look to have gone through the paint - but the dealer said
it had. Pal decided not to bother.

Then asked the dealer about a cheaper repair. They offered one for 80
quid. Which was a mess.

So with it now looking far worse than the scratch did, had to go for the
300 quid one. Took a week. Came back the wrong colour (I didn't see this
one)

Back in to be done by a different paint shop. This time the paint matched
and my pal happy.

Saw the repair today for the first time. Another pal present. He says 'why
is there paint on the number plate, and why are there marks at the side of
it?'

Examination showed what looked like deep chips in the original paint which
had been painted over. Three of them. Biggest about the size of a 5p.

The paint finish in the numberplate recess looked straight out of the gun
- not the glassy smooth like the rest of it. With a couple of fish eyes
too.

So back into the main dealer for attempt number four. They're also going
to upgrade the sound system and fit reversing sensors, so watch this space
for more tales of woe. ;-)

--
*Remember not to forget that which you do not need to know.*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

At one time there was stuff like coloured putty you could rub into
scratches.
Dunno if it's still about. You let it harden & then T-cut it.

Still is in my garage - 'cellulose putty'/'knifing' etc - but these are the
days of the car as fashion accessory: not tool, so everything has to be
perfect, and insurance and hence waste, astronomical. Still, the fuel will
run out soon...

S

"Jim K" wrote in message
...
On 19 Aug, 16:33, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

FWIW I observed and had excellent results from a "chips away" type
block a couple of years ago - so good that he promptly became area
manager and then emigrated - the ******* ;))

He sorted a nasty scuff on a wheelarch, scratches on a door, scuffed
bumper on another, and other smaller bits and bobs - was here most of
a day, used my elec... but I thought it was £200 well spent - the
repairs were *undetectable*...

Can they also treat scratches & scuffs to the plastic 'bumper' panels ?
Honda quote £300+ for a new panel.

"harry" wrote in message
...


At one time there was stuff like coloured putty you could rub into
scratches.
Dunno if it's still about. You let it harden & then T-cut it.




My car had numerous scratches around handles where SWMBO keeps scratching
paint with her rings.

I bought (with complete scepticism) a scratch away product from JML
......... you simply rub it on like polish, and wipe off ... it TOTALLY got
rid of scratches, very impressed ... well worth £6 and I have a 95% bottle
remaining.

Just checked it is this stuff .. video on this link
http://www.jmldirect.com/product.asp...gecurrency=GBP

Although I bought it in an out-of-town retail Outlet (Leeks)
No good for big scratches I guess, or for dents ...but great on small
scratches.

3 months on scratches still totally hidden.

On Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:25:02 +0100, Rick Hughes wrote:

Can they also treat scratches & scuffs to the plastic 'bumper' panels ?

Donno but as most simply painted as well rather than self coloured I
can't see why not.

Honda quote £300+ for a new panel.

A new panel can be fitted by one of their trainee workshop monkeys in
30 mins, not to mention the markup on the parts... Doing a paint
touchup job needs someone with the training and skills do even a half
decent job, with very little in the way of materials.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 19 Aug, 22:25, "Rick Hughes"
wrote:
"Jim K" wrote in message

...
On 19 Aug, 16:33, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

FWIW I observed and had excellent results from a "chips away" type
block a couple of years ago - so good that he promptly became area
manager and then emigrated - the ******* ;))

He sorted a nasty scuff on a wheelarch, scratches on a door, scuffed
bumper on another, and other smaller bits and bobs - was here most of
a day, used my elec... but I thought it was £200 well spent - the
repairs were *undetectable*...

Can they also treat scratches & scuffs to the plastic 'bumper' panels ?
Honda quote £300+ for a new panel.

if painted ones Yes! - my wheel arch scuff was on painted plastic - if
not painted..dunno

Jim K