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Scratches...already?!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kross, Apr 11, 2006.

  1. Kross

    Kross New Member

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    After only TWO days of my normal rush-hour commute (back and forth from work), my beloved Prius has taken on some war marks. Today while driving home I saw a tiny pebble bouncing along in front of me on a PACKED freeway. Unable to really do anything (other than hit the breaks, which I did) I watched helplessly as it bounced off my hood. I was weeping (on the inside) the whole ride home.

    Once I got home, I got out to check out the damage. Instead of the one scratch that I was expecting, I noticed two scratches on my front hood. The scratches aren't just on the paint that can be buffed out, but are down to the metal as you can see in the pictures. They aren't big enough to be visible by just standing in front of the car but they aren't small either. Plus the metal is exposed which increases the chances of paint chipping and rust.

    Any ideas anyone? Any help would be greatly appreciated! What to do, what to get done, ideas as to what kind of place to go to get it done, estimated cost, etc. etc, ANYTHING...?

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    #1 Kross, Apr 11, 2006
  2. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I cry with you.

    I had a clear bra put on my car right after I got it and the hood stayed pristine.

    Then I had an accident and the hood had to be replaced. The shop said not to put another clear bra on it for 30 days. I have two small chips on the hood now. Haven't bothered to replace the clear bra. What's the point of spending $800 when the hood is already chipped?

    I don't know what to tell you. Do you want to spend the money to have the hood repainted? I'm not doing anything about the chips. I might get a paint pen. I haven't decided.
     
    #2 Godiva, Apr 11, 2006
  3. grasshopper

    grasshopper Member

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    Check this out.

    repair chips and minor scratches

    by David W. Bynon
    Copyright ©, 2000, Autopia Car Care -- All Rights Reserved

    http://autopia-carcare.com/freeguide.html

    Moderator (tag) note: Sorry folks but you'll have to go to the site listed above, download the ebook, Autopia Guide to Detailing, and register to read the article. The Guide is protected under U.S. copyright laws and no part may be copied without the express written consent of the author.

    Edit: Ooops, sorry bout that.
     
    #3 grasshopper, Apr 11, 2006
  4. brasche

    brasche Member

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    Install a clear bra, its not too late. You will still need to be careful for the windshield, but you won't need to worry about bugs.
     
    #4 brasche, Apr 11, 2006
  5. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Get a clear bra.

    Paint pens work really well too.
     
    #5 SW03ES, Apr 11, 2006
  6. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    ya i stopped worrying about chips after i got my 5th one. cant see em from more than 10 feet away anyway...

    that is the drawback of hand washing your own car, you dont miss a thing
     
    #6 DaveinOlyWA, Apr 12, 2006
  7. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    i'd suggest a touch up pen from the dealer.

    it's hard to get it perfect but you can get close and from a distance you won't see it.

    i also had a real hard time with my first new car damage (door ding, which i now have 3 of) and various scratches still irk me (the one i can't figure for the life of me where it came from) but hey, it's still beautiful- it's a prius! :D
     
    #7 galaxee, Apr 12, 2006
  8. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

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    In the ongoing saga of carpooling, the woman I ride with wears rings. The passenger doors - both of them - have scratches inside the handle wells. Since I rarely get over to that side and it's been too cold to do a thorough washing, I didn't notice until my wife parked next to me and mentioned them.

    Geez, now I have to try and tell this woman that she can't wear rings when she's riding in my car. It's not that the paint's weak. She's just not careful with her own stuff much less someone else's. And then she's probably going to get all huffy and probably tell all the poeple at work that I'm all bent out of shape because of my precious car.

    I just can't win.
     
    #8 TonyPSchaefer, Apr 12, 2006
  9. Cocoatreat

    Cocoatreat New Member

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    i bought the paint pen after noticing 2 little spots....i'm telling u it matched almost 100% with my red salsa.. no one can hardly see it.....i bought the invisible bra.... so i will be installing it myself pretty soon.... with the zaino...i think its pretty awesome....try the paint pen....& i'm sure u will be happy ......& then put the invisible bra on for protection :D
     
    #9 Cocoatreat, Apr 12, 2006
  10. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Don't install the invisible bra yourself! Having watched pro's do it and all the tools they use, unless you have experience installing tint you need a pro to do it. For one all the protectatnts etc need to be stripped from the paint in order to make the product adhere properly, its just not worth it.

    As for the rings, you can have the clear bra product applied to the door handle cups too.

    You can also get the paint pens online from www.paintscratch.com
     
    #10 SW03ES, Apr 12, 2006
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