Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

[Crazed98Camaro]

Well my 2nd day at my new job (Helping out in a pool store) and I am bringing home some bad news.

Parked my car in the coner of the store lot (small parking lot, will get a pic of how big it is tommarow).
First day, parked under a tree and got **** on by birds, so today I back into a spot a little closer to the entrace to the parking lot.

I go out to get lunch for every one, and come to find this.
First logical thing that goes through my mind is a huge truck with this big trailer that came through. I can see how he could hit it and not understand.

Store does NOT have cameras.

First when I found it:


Got home, washed the dirt off:


Went over it with a few coats of Meguiars ScratchX:


Got rid of that brown blob with a terry cloth towl and some elbow grease:


Now, what I need from you guys is what to do in this situation.
Shoud I try to buff it out? Some of the gashes are deep but with enough work I think I can make some small ones go away.
Or should I take it to a shop to get painted? I did this before with my back bumper, but I got the kid who hit it to pay for it. This would most likely be out of my pocket.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

Have you tried rubbing compound? It might help get off some of those bigger scuffs and what's left of the brown blob.

I'd try buffing it before going to get it painted which will surely be a pretty penny.

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

Have you tried rubbing compound? It might help get off some of those bigger scuffs and what's left of the brown blob.

I'd try buffing it before going to get it painted which will surely be a pretty penny.

No, havn't tried a rubbing compound yet. I only used what I had on me, Meguiars ScratchX.

Would I need an orbiatal buffer for that?

I would deffintally like try to get it to look good before I hand it over.
The rear bumper alone cost up to $500.

[t-topV6]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

Have you tried rubbing compound? It might help get off some of those bigger scuffs and what's left of the brown blob.

I'd try buffing it before going to get it painted which will surely be a pretty penny.

x2, and if that doesn't work try a pain touch-up kit, you can get one at like NAPA or anywhere probably for under $10, make sure its the right color... be cheaper than having it repainted

also, good job, you took alot of it out, comparing the last to first picture... nice job :):tup:

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

try a pain touch-up kit, you can get one at like NAPA or anywhere probably for under $10, make sure its the right color... be cheaper than having it repainted

also, good job, you took alot of it out, comparing the last to first picture... nice job :):tup:

A pain-touch up kit? Will that ease my pain with the situation? Hahaah
A paint kit sounds good. Like you said as long as its the right color.

But I'm going to try to buff out what I can first.

[Niko97RS]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

try using non acetone nail polish remover...works for me

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

try using non acetone nail polish remover...works for me

What were you removing??

[Niko97RS]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

any swapped paint/tar/sap

sometimes what appears to be a scratch is actually paint that you think is a scratch....from the looks of ur pics, rubbing alcohol or non acetone nail polish remover could do the trick. i got rear ended by a camry that was red. saw a bunch of black "scratches" tried my method....nothing was left but a clean bumper

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

sometimes what appears to be a scratch is actually paint that you think is a scratch....from the looks of ur pics, rubbing alcohol or non acetone nail polish remover could do the trick. i got rear ended by a camry that was red. saw a bunch of black "scratches" tried my method....nothing was left but a clean bumper

Alright, I think i will try that. I also have 3m Adhesive Remover.

Thanks for everything guys!
I will most likely try all of these tommarow, then post up what the results are.

[zpwn06]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

Mineral spirits is good stuff, won't work too hard on the paint, rubbing compound WILL damage the paint a little (but it sounds like you know basically what your doing). This happened to my friend yesterday except he hit the guy hahaha dumbfruck

if you can find some touch up paint in your color (looks like it might be difficult) that'll help.

[HeadyFirebird'00]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

if you want to pay it, your comprehension insurance will pay for it. say it was vandalized. those look like key scatches after you buffed it up. mine comp. is way cheaper than collision, i would hate to look at that everyday. plus its the nose of the car, i find that one of the best lookinig places on our cars. try to get an insurance claim on it, sticking to a SOLID story that it was vandalized somehow. get that baby mean and green again

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

rubbing compound WILL damage the paint

Rubbing compound will not "damage" the paint. It will remove a small layer of paint that will need to be shined back up with different products, but it will not damage the paint.

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

It will remove a small layer of paint that will need to be shined back up with different products, but it will not damage the paint.

Ex...Polish, Wax?

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Got hit in the front clip. Need advice.

Polishing compound, swirl remover, and cleaner wax should do it.