Mobile paint service in NJ

[marlinsfan]

Some lame idiot hit the front corner of my bumper while my car was parked at the local supermarket (I always back into parking spots). No damage was done to bumper, but the paint got all scratched up. The person did not stick around, nor did he/she leave a note.

When I lived in Florida there were mobile paint companies that would come out to where you where, match the paint and spray the scratches so it looked like new. I have not been able to find any in central/northern NJ. Anyone here know of any?

Have not take the car to a body shop as it's going to be pricey. The local car wash has a detailing business, and the guy wants $500 to paint the whole bumper. Ugh.

Any ideas? Toyota's touch up paint comes in a pen, that won't work.

 

[bofa]

Some pics might help us provide alternatives. If its not too bad, you may be able to diy.

$500 for a bumper cover isnt a bad price, assuming they do quality work, but if he didnt talk about blending it, id be suspicious.

 

[1engineer]

Some lame idiot hit the front corner of my bumper while my car was parked at the local supermarket (I always back into parking spots). No damage was done to bumper, but the paint got all scratched up. The person did not stick around, nor did he/she leave a note.

When I lived in Florida there were mobile paint companies that would come out to where you where, match the paint and spray the scratches so it looked like new. I have not been able to find any in central/northern NJ. Anyone here know of any?

Have not take the car to a body shop as it's going to be pricey. The local car wash has a detailing business, and the guy wants $500 to paint the whole bumper. Ugh.

Any ideas? Toyota's touch up paint comes in a pen, that won't work.

No. Toyota touch up paint comes with a pen AND brush.

 

[marlinsfan]

Some pics might help us provide alternatives. If its not too bad, you may be able to diy.

$500 for a bumper cover isnt a bad price, assuming they do quality work, but if he didnt talk about blending it, id be suspicious.

I am technically challenged. Every time I try to post a picture, I spend hours and can never get it to work....

 

[bofa]

I am technically challenged. Every time I try to post a picture, I spend hours and can never get it to work....

:lol: No worries. Can you tell if its just paint damage or if it needs body work? Is it a scuff on top of the clear or did it go through the clear and into the paint? Also check the body gaps to make sure they didn't shift.

 

[marlinsfan]

:lol: No worries. Can you tell if its just paint damage or if it needs body work? Is it a scuff on top of the clear or did it go through the clear and into the paint? Also check the body gaps to make sure they didn't shift.

No gaps between the lower bumper (the one that has the paint damage) and the upper bumper. The scratches are deep enough to show the black plastic bumper underneath. There are 3-4 scratches, about 1/2 inch wide and 3-4 inches long.

 

[Westerly]

Most of the dealer's near me in CT use Dent Wizard for that type of repair. Might want to call them.

 

[marlinsfan]

Most of the dealer's near me in CT use Dent Wizard for that type of repair. Might want to call them.

That was a good lead.... but they only work with dealers, car rental companies, leasing companies, etc. Strictly B2B.

I just noticed my avatar picture is not showing! Proof that I can't post pictures!

 

[bofa]

No gaps between the lower bumper (the one that has the paint damage) and the upper bumper. The scratches are deep enough to show the black plastic bumper underneath. There are 3-4 scratches, about 1/2 inch wide and 3-4 inches long.

If it just scratched the paint off the surface, you can probably fix it yourself, assuming you are interested in doing so. Regular touch up paint is not enough and will not return it to its original condition. You'll need some quality body color paint and clear coat, 3m wet sand paper (600 grit and 1500 grit), quick detailer spray, rubbing compound, toothpicks and a school eraser. I swear this is not a Macgyver repair. But it will get it darn close to perfect and wont cost more than $50.

If not, hopefully someone else from the area can help. You might also check Craigslist - thats where the mobile guys tend to advertise. Most are dent repair only now though and wont touch paint.

 

[catrains]

since the plastic is not damaged just the paint , it is possible you can prime and paint this ..

being a bumper just do a good job on the repair so it looks good. may not be perfect but I am sure it will get whacked again shortly.

mask off the area do one damaged section at a time when its all colored in then get the 600-1500 wet sand and smooth it out. if it looks good then spray the area with a thin clear coat and 2000 wet sand then use a foam polishing pad with some 3M finishing compound .

if you never did this before practice on some other painted metal surface.

I have used spray cans and for small repairs like this it does work .

you do have to cover all the surfaces that are not to be painted .
my mirrors black started to turn white I did fix them and so far a few years now still look good . plastic base material.

 

[marlinsfan]

If it just scratched the paint off the surface, you can probably fix it yourself, assuming you are interested in doing so. Regular touch up paint is not enough and will not return it to its original condition. You'll need some quality body color paint and clear coat, 3m wet sand paper (600 grit and 1500 grit), quick detailer spray, rubbing compound, toothpicks and a school eraser. I swear this is not a Macgyver repair. But it will get it darn close to perfect and wont cost more than $50.

If not, hopefully someone else from the area can help. You might also check Craigslist - thats where the mobile guys tend to advertise. Most are dent repair only now though and wont touch paint.

Interesting. Thanks for the list of ingredients. Do you have the recipe? I'm willing to give it a try, but need directions....

 

[marlinsfan]

since the plastic is not damaged just the paint , it is possible you can prime and paint this ..

being a bumper just do a good job on the repair so it looks good. may not be perfect but I am sure it will get whacked again shortly.

mask off the area do one damaged section at a time when its all colored in then get the 600-1500 wet sand and smooth it out. if it looks good then spray the area with a thin clear coat and 2000 wet sand then use a foam polishing pad with some 3M finishing compound .

if you never did this before practice on some other painted metal surface.

I have used spray cans and for small repairs like this it does work .

you do have to cover all the surfaces that are not to be painted .
my mirrors black started to turn white I did fix them and so far a few years now still look good . plastic base material.

Do I sand before I paint? Or just paint right on top of the damage?

 

[catrains]

Do I sand before I paint? Or just paint right on top of the damage?

you should wet sand using the 600-1000 paper but lightly to remove and other paint from other vehicle and any paint that is ruff. then prime plastic . then the color paint over that with tape to cover the undamaged paint. with several coats so that the film is matching or higher then you can wet sand the paint area lightly with the 600-1000 so it looks even . if not then paint color more to allow a smooth surface .. when it is looking good then spray with the clear over the damaged area even the area you did not paint but only a very light coat. then using the 2000 wet paper smooth it out and do the polishing .. if should look good may not be perfect but its a plastic bumper .

you will need some paint prep solvent so that any wax/oil is removed. this will keep the paint from lifting down the road.
DIY fixes usually fail because of this film over the area to be painted..

use gloves all the time ..skin will have oils ...

 

[bofa]

Interesting. Thanks for the list of ingredients. Do you have the recipe? I'm willing to give it a try, but need directions....

Yep, just didnt want to type it all out if you didnt want to do it.

Take a small piece of the 600 paper and hit the exposed plastic on the bumper. Avoid touching the surrounding clearcoat that is still intact. You will need to carefully clean up the edges of the remaining paint though.

Wipe the prepped area down with rubbing alcohol using a microfiber or old t shirt and let it dry. You can use a hairdryer to speed things up.

Take the base coat (color) and apply to the bare area. The idea here is not to fill the "hole" but just to cover the surface to add the color. I like to use toothpicks for this because it controls the spread better and uses less paint. You'll want to avoid painting over existing paint if possible. You only need to do 2 light coats here (really 1 if you get it right the first go). Let that cure. I usually wait 4 hours but could take longer based on temps/humidity.

Next is the clear coat. This is what you will use to level the surface with the other paint. Still apply in thin layers and be careful not to greatly exceed the height of the surrounding clearcoat (unless you really enjoy sanding). Once dried the touched up surface should be slightly above the original clear and will it probably look uneven. Thats okay - youll fix that next.

Take the 1500 grit paper cut small strips about the size of the school eraser and soak it thoroughly with the detailer spray, which is your lubricant. The eraser is your sanding block to allow even pressure while sanding. Spray the surface with the detailer too and the lightly rub the painted area with the eraser+sand paper. Your goal is to bring this down even with the existing surface. Its okay if you accidentally sand the surrounding areas, but dont get carried away and focus on the new clear. Be liberal with the detailer and you can use your finger to see if the surface is smooth and even.

Once you are finished sanding the surface will look hazy but should feel even. Follow the directions on the rubbing compound, whicheill basically have you working it into the sanded spots and then wiping off the excess. You will do this 4-5 times until its shiny again.

From there you can follow up with any desired wax if you choose to (in this case, wash the whole bumper before you start.

 

[marlinsfan]

Yep, just didnt want to type it all out if you didnt want to do it.

Take a small piece of the 600 paper and hit the exposed plastic on the bumper. Avoid touching the surrounding clearcoat that is still intact. You will need to carefully clean up the edges of the remaining paint though.

Wipe the prepped area down with rubbing alcohol using a microfiber or old t shirt and let it dry. You can use a hairdryer to speed things up.

Take the base coat (color) and apply to the bare area. The idea here is not to fill the "hole" but just to cover the surface to add the color. I like to use toothpicks for this because it controls the spread better and uses less paint. You'll want to avoid painting over existing paint if possible. You only need to do 2 light coats here (really 1 if you get it right the first go). Let that cure. I usually wait 4 hours but could take longer based on temps/humidity.

Next is the clear coat. This is what you will use to level the surface with the other paint. Still apply in thin layers and be careful not to greatly exceed the height of the surrounding clearcoat (unless you really enjoy sanding). Once dried the touched up surface should be slightly above the original clear and will it probably look uneven. Thats okay - youll fix that next.

Take the 1500 grit paper cut small strips about the size of the school eraser and soak it thoroughly with the detailer spray, which is your lubricant. The eraser is your sanding block to allow even pressure while sanding. Spray the surface with the detailer too and the lightly rub the painted area with the eraser+sand paper. Your goal is to bring this down even with the existing surface. Its okay if you accidentally sand the surrounding areas, but dont get carried away and focus on the new clear. Be liberal with the detailer and you can use your finger to see if the surface is smooth and even.

Once you are finished sanding the surface will look hazy but should feel even. Follow the directions on the rubbing compound, whicheill basically have you working it into the sanded spots and then wiping off the excess. You will do this 4-5 times until its shiny again.

From there you can follow up with any desired wax if you choose to (in this case, wash the whole bumper before you start.

Awesome, thank you so much!

Ok, I'm going to try to upload a picture.

 

[marlinsfan]

Oh my, that came out big! But it's up there.