StilettoViper

Anyone ever gotten their car fixed after it has been keyed? For the side that gets keyed would they paint the whole thing depending on how deep or do good bodyshops do some kind of touch-up blending? What kind of costs would it be at a good auto body place to paint one side without any body work except to sand and spray?

thanks

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

I had a problem with a neighbor and her trash can. Put some pretty small scratches in one spot on my door. What I did was wait until summer and then hit up a body shop. Around here they are dead around this time because everyone is out showing their cars off so they are already painted. Cost me $100 cash to get the whole side done and came out great.

New Yorker

Good body shops will tell you to repaint the whole section, plus "blend in" the surrounding sections. So if it's the left side, for example, they'll want to repaint the whole side, plus blend in the the parts of the surrounding parts that touch it (side of the hood, ends of the bumpers, etc.).

Cost varies by region—shops in "exclusive" communities (i.e. Silicon Valley, Winnetka near Chicago, Westchester near NYC) often charge much more. Not only can their clients afford it, but they have more "high end" cars, and are probably more **** about how perfect the job is.

The cost will also depend a lot on how **** you are. (I'm **** about body work.) If you live outside DC and you want a perfect, can't-tell-it-was-painted job, I wouldn't be surprised if the best shops charge (for the whole side of the car) $2000-$3000 or more. If you'd be happy with a "pretty good" job, (can't tell unless you really look hard), it can cost a lot less. But remember… this should be covered by your comprehensive insurance, and you're free to take your car to any shop you like. So why not take it to a really good one?

Best way to find a really great shop is research a little. First, go online to Porsche, Lambo or even BMW forums and see if those guys recommend any shops near you. Second, call the exotic car dealer (Ferrari, Lambo, Bentley) nearest you and ask which body shop they recommend. Finally, find out where local classic car guys take their '32 Ford or '57 Chevy. Shops that do classic car restoration are the best! (And, unfortunately, cost the most. But it doesn't cost anything to get an estimate.)

Needless to say, if you just want an "ok" job and you're not picky, you probably can find it for well under a grand. Just remember, usually you get what you pay for. A crappy shop can fix it, and 10 months later you'll notice the paint doesn't quite match. Or it's ok looking in sunlight, but doesn't match at night, in a parking lot under lights.

Just my 2¢.

StilettoViper

Thanks. I guess I wouldn't say im totally ****. I'm somewhere in the middle. I would want it to be blended so there is no paint mis-match. I would hate that but the car in question isn't my dream car or anything so.... middle of the road i guess would be good enough....I'm guessing a little over a grand would be OK.

Razz1

Yep, what New Yorker said.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

repaint the whole panel when the time comes. some places will spot paint it, but it depends how good they are.

Uncivilizedracer

Depends on how deep the cuts are most of them will buff it but depending on a estimate for the whole side you might be better off getting the whole car repainted so there is no color mis match i ran into that years ago