Dent/paint/scratch removal by self, possible?

Maintenance/Repairs
22

I didn’t notice it in the link, and I know they’re still widely used. But they have largely fallen out of favor in professional, residential painting, of which I’ve done plenty. That’s where I was coming from.

Of course, a lot of that in residential is because most products are water based. Any potential pitfalls of the besswax are much reduced with solvent based products. But I still think you’ll get a cleaner surface, with just as much dust removal (the point of tack cloth) with alcohol and microfiber.

23

$20? I just paid $27 for the matching paint pen at the Acura dealer. I’ve been using spray paint since a young kid. It’s just something you do to paint bikes and things, plus associated light body work. If you get to b3 an adult and no paint experience, you really need to hire someone. Lots of body men though moonlight in their own garages and prices can be quite a bit lower. Ask at the local auto paint supplier like Napa for a lead. Saturday morning sitting on a stool at the counter is a good time to see who comes in for supplies.

24

I don’t know anyone whom I can ask, but this looks like a good idea. I have some stuff to use, but one option I can check is, seattle automotive services "paint" - craigslist

25

My old school trick for spray paint is to use stiff paper or thin cardboard with a hole in it to prevent over spray. Dime size or smaller for me.

26

The last time I used the paintless dent guys, they charged me $150 but did a great job. The body shop used them. Not all are the same. However if the paint needs refinishing, that is something else. If you insist, order matching paint from automotive touch up. Google. $20 a can but perfect match. You’ll need primer, color and clear. Then you’ll need to color sand and polish. Check out a book from the library first. Tools, information, practice.

27

@bing If I get required stuff and spray paint and get someone from craiglist, that should work ? I wouldn’t know his prior history and expertise, but I will try to figure by talking to him.

I have –
Bondo Glazing & Spot Putty (small tube, 4.5 oz)
91% Isopropyl Alcohol (for initial and final cleaning)
Collinite 476s Super DoubleCoat Auto Wax
Tack cloth
Buffer Polisher

And I can buy TouchUpDirect Aerosol Platinum Kit.

I can try to learn it myself and try, but if I can find someone better than me with reasonable price (for example $150-200 is good for me), that would work.

28

Craigslist for a do-it-yourself project? No.

If you don’t want to repaint the bumper cover yourself, ask a service writer at the car dealer you do business with to arrange for a repair. They have a touch-up crew that visits each week to repaint and perform touch-up to car bumper covers on used cars. The cost for a spot repair is a fraction of what a body shop charges for a repaint.

2 Likes
29

I vote you do it yourself. I’ve done much larger body repairs: people have driven into me twice, a bear attacked once while I was hiking. It looks terrible. But I’m proud of my achievement.

30

Here are some videos showing how to make your own repairs.

Touch Up Paint How To Videos | AutomotiveTouchup

31

@Nevada_545 , I checked with my usual car mechanic and he pointed me to a body shop, who would again charge over $1000, so skipping that option.
@RandomTroll , That’s what I am leaning towards and watching some videos. I hope below items should work -
Bondo Glazing & Spot Putty (small tube, 4.5 oz)
91% Isopropyl Alcohol (for initial and final cleaning)
Collinite 476s Super DoubleCoat Auto Wax
Tack cloth
Buffer Polisher
TouchUpDirect Aerosol Platinum Kit.

32

Wrong person. Car dealers recondition used cars, they have connections with paint and upholstery repair specialists, auto mechanics do not.

33

I can’t tell how big that is or how big it will be after hammer and dolly but glazing is used for just small imperfections and pin holes that you can get with filler.