I only have 600 miles on my 2005 Red RX-8 and am enjoying the heck out of it. I have been keeping it in a friend's garage while my carport is being enclosed. Today, disaster struck. The vibration of the garage door opening created just enough vibration on a shelf for a small item to fall on the rear side of the car just in front of the rear lights, placing a couple of miniscule dings, but more noticeably the paint finish is a little marred. Can this be buffed out, and if so do I have to go to a body shop? *Also, would the little dings be best taken care of by someone with the devices for popping out little dings?

 

i'd go to a good body shop for both....will cost a lill more but will look new when done....since the damage is small it shouldn't run you too much $$$$

and if they mess up you get to yell at them till they fix it

 

Take it to a paintless dent shop - it's amazing the things they can do - from fairly major damage (I had them once straighten a dent the size of two frisbees on my last car) to little door dings from parking lots - and things falling off shelves.

If the paint is only marred, chances are they can rub that out as well - or even you can. Start with clay barring the spot (after the dent is fixed), follow that by liberal and repeated applications of Meguiar's #7 until you can no longer see the imperfection, and ideally until you can't even feel it. Then wax or Zaino the spot and you're done.

If the paint "mar" is through the paint or clearcoat, you'll never get out without professional help. If you can see primer through the scratch, get help. If it's just a scuff in the paint, use the technique listed above.