Keyed

[eyelight]

Took a quick trip down to the supermarket this evening and the bright lights of their carpark showed that some lowlife had keyed the front wing of our E220 coupe. Wasn't like that earlier today when we went for a stroll, so must have beeen done this evening. The streetlight around the corner where we have to park it is kaput so maybe that encourgaged them, but maybe it's because I gave it a good wash and wax on Thursday, and it looked super shiny for a change.
Anyway, a quick search of the forum shows someone recommending T cut polish, and something called 'chipstik' for a low budget cover up of this kind of vandalism. Haven't had a chance to look at it in daylight yet, so don't know how deep the scratches are.
Anyone used this 'chipstik' ?

Since the car is a 1994, it's probably not worth more than £2500, so getting it resprayed might not be viable. The two parallel scratches run from headlight to about 3 inches into front door.

On the other hand, there is a small bit of rust around the wheelarch, so if there was a breakers with a wing in the right "green" colour, that might be an option too.

Thanks.

 

[television]

let us know how deep they are first.

Malcolm

 

[type49]

The wings on 210 E class & 202 C class are just bolted on. I pressume yours are too. If someone can comfirm this, a breakers yard might be an easier option than you think.

 

[bigasotonuk]

But what are the chances getting a second hand wing from a breakers without dents, scratches and lacquer damage and in the right colour for this age of vehicle, Or am i just being negative? Genuine 202 wings are not that expensive new. Better biting the bullet and get it repaired/sprayed maybe cheaper than you think.

 

[type49]

Yeh, chances are it will still need spraying but at least you can get rid of the rust.

 

[television]

Never seen an MB yet where the wings do not unbolt. colour matches are quite good these days.

Malcolm

 

[eyelight]

Thanks all.
The car is a W124. I reckon the wings unbolt, but on looking at the car in daylight this morning, the scratches aren't as deep as they looked last night. Looks like just the top layer of paint and not through to the metal, so possibly it can be touched up with this 'chipstik' type thing for the moment.

Rust on the wheelarches is another matter and no doubt the two wings should be replaced in time. A question of how long we hang on to this car.

 

[stumpy]

If you can't feel the scratches with your fingernail then they can be buffed out by someone with a Porter Cable polisher and the right selection of polishes.

 

[alec2]

Buy a bottle of 'TCut' from your local car parts shop.

It is very easy to use and usually will fix a surface only scratch. May have to repeat a few times.

If this is not good enough you can try one of the Coloured polishes available from the car shops. These leave a coloured residue in the scratch.

Avoid a chipstick unless the paint is cut completly through.

Alec

 

[M6AJJ]

A lot cheaper than T Cut, and works just as well if not better, try ordinary Brasso.

 

[nick45]

My experience of chipstick is that it looks like an amateur repair; I'd tread carefully. Wing from a breakers is a good option but watch the colour match because different cars of that age will have different degrees of paint fade.
I had this on an E30 BMW of mine and got one of those mobile dent/ scratch removal guys out to it. £50 and it was absolutely as good as new. Halfords are also offering this service now (about £60 per job I think).

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Faded paint can be recovered by removing the top few millionths of paint to reveal the original, unfaded paint beneath