[derb]

Like the title says, my car was keyed last night. I'm working here in North Carolina right now and have only street parking. They got the front fender, door and rear fender on the driver side. The scratches catch your fingernail but I'm not sure if they are down to metal. There was a white dust along them, clear coat I'm assuming. One looks like it is just in the paint since it still looks red. The car is Arena Red.
Any advise for when I take it to a body shop?
What if only to the primer? ...to metal?
Should I expect the whole side to be repainted?
Will matching the paint be a problem?

Any reputable shop near Chantilly?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
mike

[Potomac-Greg]

Originally Posted by derb

Like the title says, my car was keyed last night. I'm working here in North Carolina right now and have only street parking. They got the front fender, door and rear fender on the driver side. The scratches catch your fingernail but I'm not sure if they are down to metal. There was a white dust along them, clear coat I'm assuming. One looks like it is just in the paint since it still looks red. The car is Arena Red.
Any advise for when I take it to a body shop?
What if only to the primer? ...to metal?
Should I expect the whole side to be repainted?
Will matching the paint be a problem?

Any reputable shop near Chantilly?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
mike

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try an aggressive buffing with a high-cut automotive polish. If that doesn't solve it (and it probably will not), then I would expect you need the whole side painted. Don't know any shops in Chantilly.

That kind of senseless vandalism makes me yearn for some old-school Islamic punishment.

[Dr K]

Mike,
VERY sorry about your car. If it is all still red, they may be able to sand and clear-coat (which shouldn't change the color). Or you could follow the Scunt pathway and have big racing stripes applied.

I know you're probably feeling pretty bad right now so cheer yourself up by checking out this thread that starts with good information on adding racing stripes and goes downhill fast: http://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=20658 (it heats up on page 6, but it's plenty entertaining for the first 6 pages. Nominated for Thread of the Year - one of the few nominees NOT started by me).

[markwemple]

Pics might help. If it isn't to metal, I'd go with the least invasive process possible, if you're not looking to concours the car. It is very possible to use touch-up, a great brush and s very fine sanding block, just like you would for a stone chip, and do the whole area. That way, you don't have to worry as much about color match, fade or, FWIW, originality.

[racer]

My only shop experience, on my VW, was an insurance claim worked by D&V Collision. They were located on Poland Road, but have since moved over to loudoun county parkway, near the new mobil/mcdonalds strip mall.

As mentioned, might want to see what a high end polishing/detailer could do. Also, is it worth an insurance claim?

[LPM911]

Originally Posted by markwemple

Pics might help.

this is absolutely hilarious coming from you.

[markwemple]

So, I'm not big on re-sizing.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by markwemple

Pics might help.

It's not like cheap and easy to use cameras are just readily available. And then how to get the photograph onto the interwebs? It's a complex process for highly skilled people, not for the faint of heart. You can't expect the average person to just post pictures online at a moments notice. Or even a few months notice, for that matter.

Isn't that right Mark?

[markwemple]

Well, I even thought I could download my Iphone pics here. Nope re-size again. Heck, even my point and shoot doesn't have the ability to se-size (reformat?). So either I have to take the time or be lazy and say screw it (guess which one I normally pick).

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by markwemple

Heck, even my point and shoot doesn't have the ability to se-size (reformat?).

What make / model is it? I've never seen a digital camera that doesn't give you options for image resolution. Even the cheapo $99 ones.