Touch up or paint a scratch?
02-06-2019, 01:45 PM
#1
Touch up or paint a scratch?
This morning I picked up my car from having maintenance at the Porsche dealership. Unfortunately, I noticed a scratch, approximately three Inches long, on the passenger door panel and the door handle. I brought this to the attention of my service advisor. I said I will bring it to my detail shop (where I had color correction, PPF, and ceramic coating applied) and see what can be done. The detail shop that they could not provide any service that would fix or improve the damage as the scratch penetrated the clearcoat and hit the metal, and recommended a body shop to bring it to since the detail shop thought the best course of action would be the paint the affected area.
At the body shop, the person said they could either touch up the scratch where it would be less noticeable (to where it would not be visible from far way but on closer inspection one can see it to the tune of about two hours of work), or paint the affected area and blend to the surrounding area/panel (affecting two car panels in total). He recommeded to paint and would do so if it was his car.
After the body shop is finished with whatever repair method, the car will be taken to the detail shop for color correction and the re-application of the ceramic coating to the affected area (PPF was not applied to this area).
The car is a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo in Basalt metallic black. The body shop works on high end cars like Porsche, Ferrari, and Ford GT40.
Either fix method, I would not be happy. If touch-up, I will still see the defect. If paint, then I am not a fan of painting. But something must be done.
I have not heard back from the bodyshop about cost or if Porsche will cover (but my service advisor had informed his management); however, that is immaterial as I will do what is best.
What would you do or recommend what to do with the scratch?
At the body shop, the person said they could either touch up the scratch where it would be less noticeable (to where it would not be visible from far way but on closer inspection one can see it to the tune of about two hours of work), or paint the affected area and blend to the surrounding area/panel (affecting two car panels in total). He recommeded to paint and would do so if it was his car.
After the body shop is finished with whatever repair method, the car will be taken to the detail shop for color correction and the re-application of the ceramic coating to the affected area (PPF was not applied to this area).
The car is a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo in Basalt metallic black. The body shop works on high end cars like Porsche, Ferrari, and Ford GT40.
Either fix method, I would not be happy. If touch-up, I will still see the defect. If paint, then I am not a fan of painting. But something must be done.
I have not heard back from the bodyshop about cost or if Porsche will cover (but my service advisor had informed his management); however, that is immaterial as I will do what is best.
What would you do or recommend what to do with the scratch?
02-06-2019, 03:04 PM
#2
Drifting
This morning I picked up my car from having maintenance at the Porsche dealership. Unfortunately, I noticed a scratch, approximately three Inches long, on the passenger door panel and the door handle. I brought this to the attention of my service advisor. I said I will bring it to my detail shop (where I had color correction, PPF, and ceramic coating applied) and see what can be done. The detail shop that they could not provide any service that would fix or improve the damage as the scratch penetrated the clearcoat and hit the metal, and recommended a body shop to bring it to since the detail shop thought the best course of action would be the paint the affected area.
At the body shop, the person said they could either touch up the scratch where it would be less noticeable (to where it would not be visible from far way but on closer inspection one can see it to the tune of about two hours of work), or paint the affected area and blend to the surrounding area/panel (affecting two car panels in total). He recommeded to paint and would do so if it was his car.
After the body shop is finished with whatever repair method, the car will be taken to the detail shop for color correction and the re-application of the ceramic coating to the affected area (PPF was not applied to this area).
The car is a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo in Basalt metallic black. The body shop works on high end cars like Porsche, Ferrari, and Ford GT40.
Either fix method, I would not be happy. If touch-up, I will still see the defect. If paint, then I am not a fan of painting. But something must be done.
I have not heard back from the bodyshop about cost or if Porsche will cover (but my service advisor had informed his management); however, that is immaterial as I will do what is best.
What would you do or recommend what to do with the scratch?
At the body shop, the person said they could either touch up the scratch where it would be less noticeable (to where it would not be visible from far way but on closer inspection one can see it to the tune of about two hours of work), or paint the affected area and blend to the surrounding area/panel (affecting two car panels in total). He recommeded to paint and would do so if it was his car.
After the body shop is finished with whatever repair method, the car will be taken to the detail shop for color correction and the re-application of the ceramic coating to the affected area (PPF was not applied to this area).
The car is a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo in Basalt metallic black. The body shop works on high end cars like Porsche, Ferrari, and Ford GT40.
Either fix method, I would not be happy. If touch-up, I will still see the defect. If paint, then I am not a fan of painting. But something must be done.
I have not heard back from the bodyshop about cost or if Porsche will cover (but my service advisor had informed his management); however, that is immaterial as I will do what is best.
What would you do or recommend what to do with the scratch?
Please post photos.
02-06-2019, 04:31 PM
#4
The color of the paint is Basalt metallic black.
The car was also parked overnight outside on the dealer's lot where anybody can get to it. The car also had dew/moisture on it due to staying out overnight. The dealer had previously always parked the car inside their garage after previous maintenance prior to me picking it up.
I have attached a picture of the scratch.
02-06-2019, 06:12 PM
#5
Great question as I have a similar "scratch" though smaller on my 2010 TT in Arctic Silver. Is it better to keep all the paint on all the panels OEM vs a repaint? I'm excluding the front and rear bumpers from this conversation. Is that true regarding solid vs. metallic paint?
Last edited by realking; 02-06-2019 at 06:12 PM. Reason: error
02-06-2019, 07:38 PM
#6
Paint. My car is the same color as yours. I had both front and rear bumpers redone on my car and fixed a scratch on the rear quarter panel while I was at it. I used a high end trusted shop with a great reputation. I also used them on 3 prior cars. The car looks 100% perfect and I'm happy. After the paint was done "gassing out" I covered the whole car with PPF to make sure it can't happen again.
02-06-2019, 09:58 PM
#7
Drifting
The color of the paint is Basalt metallic black.
The car was also parked overnight outside on the dealer's lot where anybody can get to it. The car also had dew/moisture on it due to staying out overnight. The dealer had previously always parked the car inside their garage after previous maintenance prior to me picking it up.
I have attached a picture of the scratch.
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02-07-2019, 12:14 PM
#8
I used to be crazy about getting everything repainted every time something happened.
My aged and grown up mindset tells me that I understand how much collectors, future owners and especially I myself value OEM paint, that now I’d much rather have a professional touch up vs respray.
My recommendation would be replace the handle, and while the handle is off touchup, level, polish the door. But don’t repaint.
My aged and grown up mindset tells me that I understand how much collectors, future owners and especially I myself value OEM paint, that now I’d much rather have a professional touch up vs respray.
My recommendation would be replace the handle, and while the handle is off touchup, level, polish the door. But don’t repaint.
Last edited by Ruskiy; 02-07-2019 at 03:02 PM.
02-07-2019, 05:04 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
I've had amazing success with touching up rock chips using this pen:
You get a bottle of touch-up paint, fill the reservoir, and make super-tiny dabs in the scratch (rather than using a brush) to level out the void. I've had good results with the Dr. ColorChip paint and leveling solution as well. I would try this much cheaper and simpler option before considering respray/blending panels.
Here's a tutorial on this technique and tool:
Here's a tutorial on this technique and tool:
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Aaron12 (07-19-2022)
02-13-2019, 09:14 AM
#11
Racer
I've had amazing success with touching up rock chips using this pen: Loew-Cornell Fine Line Painting Pen You get a bottle of touch-up paint, fill the reservoir, and make super-tiny dabs in the scratch (rather than using a brush) to level out the void. I've had good results with the Dr. ColorChip paint and leveling solution as well. I would try this much cheaper and simpler option before considering respray/blending panels.
02-13-2019, 09:43 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
Yes, for deeper repairs you need to add layers with drying time in between. Sometimes you can get lucky with one or two coats because of the capillary action from that pen and the tiny amount of paint it disperses. There is a leveler solution that comes with the Dr. Colorchip kit that also helps with smoothing the paint so you don't have a bubble that is proud of the surface. There is definitely a technique to this, but very rewarding with practice and patience.
02-13-2019, 09:59 AM
#13
Racer
Yes, for deeper repairs you need to add layers with drying time in between. Sometimes you can get lucky with one or two coats because of the capillary action from that pen and the tiny amount of paint it disperses. There is a leveler solution that comes with the Dr. Colorchip kit that also helps with smoothing the paint so you don't have a bubble that is proud of the surface. There is definitely a technique to this, but very rewarding with practice and patience.
02-13-2019, 10:29 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
No, I didn't use a clear coat final layer. I've read mixed things about needing it and their instructions don't mention it. I didn't want to risk another product ruining the repair I made, so I just make sure it's waxed well and haven't had any issues so far.
02-15-2019, 06:44 PM
#15
Cruisin'
Join Date: Feb 2019
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Since it not just a cosmetic issue it's also a loss of value issue on your car with repainting or touch up, I would have them cut you a check to repaint and then just touch up best you can. Pocket the extra to compensate you for when and if you ever sell down the road.