Paint Repair

[mtnman]

So, I disovered upon returning from a trip to the ever classy Wal-Mart that some _______ (insert derogatory expletive of choice) had left a nice scrape along my front right fender. Luckily, I was able to polish out all of the green paint he/she left, but I still have a paint chip approximately 1 inch long and 1/2 inch tall. I have done my best to maintain my composure and remind myself that it's "just a truck," but nonetheless, she is my baby and now she been scarred.

1) Should I try to mend the chip myself using touch-up paint or take it to a local body/paint shop? I want it to look like new, and am not sure I have the time/skills/patience to go through the multi step process that I have seen suggested before.
2) Any idea on what a paint shop might charge for such a repair?

For reference, it is a super white TRD SPORT, so I am sure I could make it look 'decent' with touch-up paint, but decent isn't good enough.

Thanks in advance,

[wiggum21]

Originally Posted by mtnman

So, I disovered upon returning from a trip to the ever classy Wal-Mart that some _______ (insert derogatory expletive of choice) had left a nice scrape along my front right fender. Luckily, I was able to polish out all of the green paint he/she left, but I still have a paint chip approximately 1 inch long and 1/2 inch tall. I have done my best to maintain my composure and remind myself that it's "just a truck," but nonetheless, she is my baby and now she been scarred.

1) Should I try to mend the chip myself using touch-up paint or take it to a local body/paint shop? I want it to look like new, and am not sure I have the time/skills/patience to go through the multi step process that I have seen suggested before.
2) Any idea on what a paint shop might charge for such a repair?

For reference, it is a super white TRD SPORT, so I am sure I could make it look 'decent' with touch-up paint, but decent isn't good enough.

Thanks in advance,

That blows man. I also have a super white taco and the touch up paint does a good job at hiding the small nicks and scratches. With yours being 1" by 1/2", that seems like a lot of area to touch up....but I am no body tech. Do you have a pic of the area. Some of the guys around here are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to minor body work. Good Luck!

[mtnman]

I don't have a pic because my digital camera is currently on loan to a friend traveling to NYC...basically a 1" x 0.5" chip on the fender flare...clean edges, down to what I assume is the black plastic.

[NorCalTacoma]

You are in luck if your truck is white.

[astrotaco]

I did a repair on my sisters black 03 highlander, last month, that had ~3" bumper scratch. Some idiot scraped off a patch of paint ~3" long .5 inch wide. I bought the matching paint and clear coat from Paintscratch.com (in spray cans). Preped the area (corner of the front bumper) and kept prepping about 3" in each direction (ie went sand). Sprayed the area with the paint kit (2 coats of color and used all the clear coat on the entire bumper). Last week (about a month later) I wetsanded the entire bumper and polished and now you can't even tell anything happened. White may turn out easier.

I've got to admit though before I wetsanded and polished, you could tell that there was some additional paint on the side that was painted. You could even tell by running your hand across the bumper. I thought I was going to have to get clowned on at the body shop but wetsanding and polishing was magic.

It was a bit of a hassel but I just wanted to see how it would turn out before taking it to the autobody shop for est. $150.

Paint cost me $34 from paintscratch. Good weekend project (paint).

[Pb]

Sounds like a big scratch. You might want to get a body shop to fix that. It's hard to fix wide scratches with touchup paint. I'd like to see a pic of it.

[Memphis]

If your paint is one of the metallic colors, it will be hard to make it "like new" with touch-up paint.....having it professionally done would be better. Instead of the bodyshop, check at your local dealership and see if they have one of the paint guys that work on fixing shipping blemishes and freshening up chips on used cars. The dealership where I bought my truck uses a guy that works out of a van in the back of their lot and scratches like yours are what he does best.....and for cheaper $$ than the bodyshop.