Scratches from Valet... booooo
Contributors
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 827
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From: Boston, MA
My Ride: 2008 535i 6MT
Either get it professionally repaired or DIY.
DIY:
1) Cover the scratch by painstaking covering it with touchup paint and a very fine brush
2) Let dry 24 hrs.
3) Repeat 1 and 2 as necessary until it's less than the surrounding paint.
4) Use 3M Hand Glaze to smooth out the difference in height between the OEM paint and the touchup.
5) Buff the hand glaze
6) Wax
7) Buff the wax
8) It won't be noticeable
I did this to rock chips and scratches on my last 3 BMW's. Everyone thinks I wash my car often. If they only knew ...
DIY:
1) Cover the scratch by painstaking covering it with touchup paint and a very fine brush
2) Let dry 24 hrs.
3) Repeat 1 and 2 as necessary until it's less than the surrounding paint.
4) Use 3M Hand Glaze to smooth out the difference in height between the OEM paint and the touchup.
5) Buff the hand glaze
6) Wax
7) Buff the wax
8) It won't be noticeable
I did this to rock chips and scratches on my last 3 BMW's. Everyone thinks I wash my car often. If they only knew ...
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by jdloaner' post='760158' date='Jan 5 2009, 06:46 PM
Ok, got it. No more Valet or driving drunk. Now, for the scratches I have currently....
Have you tried contacting the valet company? Maybe they will go in 50% on the repair?
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,084
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Originally Posted by neoe60' post='760334' date='Jan 5 2009, 07:35 PM
Yea, but that's not to say my date wasn't super tipsy! Plus, we were heading out to meet other coworkers at the club so there was just alot of distractions that night.
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='760350' date='Jan 5 2009, 09:56 PM
This is beginning to sound like IceyTys story about his drunk date sex!!
Seriously, though, if it's just a surface scratch, a cleaner-wax with a very mild abrasive may do the trick. If not, carefully applying a rubbing or polishing compound might work. If it's deeper, I'd follow ObD's advice. GL.
Members
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 24
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If it didn't penitrate the clear coat you should be able to get it out. Do you have a portor cable polisher? If you dont you should get one, they are a must. If you do, use a polishing compund first and that should take it out. If it doesnt move to a more aggressive compound and then follow with a polishing compound.
Contributors
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,656
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I used to valet park... legally, the valet company will only cover your car if you claim it before you leave, however, most reputable companies will compensate in good faith due to the fact that most valeting happens in the evening and at social events with alcohol involved (weddings, bdays, nice restaurants) Besides, they dont really expect you to inspect your car before entering it. i mean come on, how much of a douche bag would you look like inspecting your car when they are trying to get you out of there because you are holding up everyone else...
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 957
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From: South Bay, CA
My Ride: My 5 and I met on Father's Day 2008 and have been together ever since. 20" Wheels (Make TBD), premium package, sport package, AiB V3 upgrade and a Passport Escort 8500 Radar Detector.
Valet is the illusion of security.
Just walk the extra block. It's good for you!
Just walk the extra block. It's good for you!
