Paint Scratch help

I don't think a decision to have it fixed necessarily has to be tied to seasonal temperatures.

 

That sucks man. Was it intentional? I.e. Vandalism?


A shop might be able to wetsand and clear coat it? Worth stopping by a couple places and ask thier opinion.

 

That blows man! Sorry to hear.

 

The scratches might be too deep but you could try a high quality rubbing compound followed by a polishing compound...

 

Don't take it personally. Vandals damage targets of opportunity.

A DIY job can fill in the scratch but I'd be very surprised if you'll be able to match the paint. In some or most light the scratch is going to be visible.

I'd get a professional opinion from the body shop? Did the scratch go down to the metal just past the junction of the Y or is that where it didn't do down to the primer?

If the car was 10 years old I'd vote for touching it up yourself at minimal expense but the car is too new so I'm voting to do it right so you won't be reminded of it every time you see that panel.

 

^ Plus 1. Bite the bullet and get a body shop to look at it. Up here that'd be called a "comprehensive" claim, a catch-all for vandalism, hit-and-run.

Your picture's so close it's hard to tell the scope, how close it it to adjacent panel/seams. Depending on how far it is from a border, they may be able to blend it within that panel, but more likely they'll need to extend to adjacent panel.

And yeah, it's a royal pain when it happens.

 

There are "scratch removal" products down any major stores automotive care aisle.
Meguiars is good.

Don't know if they would work to your satisfaction.

However, if you plan to have it professionally fixed this spring, I suppose trying one wouldn't really hurt. If you're happy with the results? Then issue solved. If you're unhappy? Well they'll be repainting the whole area anyway.

 

If you truly feel this was done out of hate, I strongly suggest you don't do the professional/permanent repair now. The person might do it again if he sees your Prius is nice and pretty again. I would diy with some touch-up now to prevent salt/moister, then do a better repair later.

 

I would take it to a body shop and have them fix it. I don't think the vandalism occurred just because it is a Prius. There are just a lot of evil people now that does evil things. I have a 2014 Avalon and some jerk just twisted the back-up camera and broke it off. Fortunately it was a clean break and I was able to position it perfectly and set it in place with BONDO. I think some people are just jealous when they see a nice car and they just have to do something bad to it.

 

I can relate and feel for you. One day on my 05 Prius I came out from shopping and someone had broken my side mirror clean off with it hanging from the power wires. The next day at Toyota and $400. later it was professionally repaired. I wish I had caught whomever did this.

Definitely get a number of estimates. Do not stop at just one. Good luck