Best way to fix a mistake I am still kicking myself for?

[ForgetYourMap]

So I had a complete lapse of judgment when backing out of my sisters car park and scratched my side mirror pretty badly. Any easy way to fix this or at least make it less noticeable? Every time I go to the passengers side I cringe at my stupidity.

 

[preacher35]

It's difficult to tell, from your pic, how bad the "scratch" is. Did it penetrate the clear coat or is it merely scuffed? Has the actual paint, underneath the clear coat, been damaged? We need to know these things in order to offer advice.

 

[T4R2014]

That is going to need a repaint anyway. Your best best is to take it off yourself and have a body shop paint it.

 

[preacher35]

That is going to need a repaint anyway. Your best best is to take it off yourself and have a body shop paint it.

Not necessarily. If the clear coat has not been penetrated, it can be buffed out with some work.

 

[ForgetYourMap]

Sorry for the poor picture. It is through the clear coat unfortunately.

Can you give me an idea of how much a body shop might charge to paint the mirror if I took it off myself?

 

[T4R2014]

Not necessarily. If the clear coat has not been penetrated, it can be buffed out with some work.

That is true. From the pics it seems that it has some deep scratches. OP, can the scratches be felt with your fingernail? You may be able to get away with using a compound.

 

[dgwood12]

It looks like those are through the paint. I can faintly see some black showing through. If you want to try DIY, I have had great experience purchasing color matching paint from Touch Up Paint and Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup. You can purchase your exact color in a spray can and do it yourself.

Since it is just the mirror, it would be pretty easy. Just make sure you sand the surface well and get all the old clear off. You can then fill the scratches with some compound and sand again and paint and then follow up with a clear coat. I recommend the 2K Urethane Clearcoat as it is the same type of clear that auto body shops use.

 

[ForgetYourMap]

Thanks guys I will take it by a local auto paint supplies shop and see if they have the stuff your talking about. Maybe they can assess it too and see if it qualifies for a DIY.

 

[kevinpt]

plasti dip them black?

 

[ForgetYourMap]

Here is a better picture.

I went to auto paint supply store and he applied some compound so it already looks better. He told me to wet sand it very carefully and apply more compound to get rid of the high ridges. After inspecting it closer there is only one bad part that will require some paint touch up.

Here are my tools. Wish me luck!

 

[preacher35]

You might get a better finish with an airbrush (if you have experience using one).