So my Z was keyed on Saturday I guess someone couldn't handle the fact that I have a nicer car then them. The key is literally a complete circle around the entire car. It starts right above driver side wheel hub all the way across about door handle height down to the hood and then across the hood all the way back the other side same height.

I have been told it's going to need an entire re-paint and is going to cost $2k-$3k. This got me thinking about possibly going with a partial vinyl wrap across the top half of the car. Anyone think this could look good? The car is black so maybe have a red "stripe" going down both upper halves then maybe doing a carbon fiber wrap on the hood? The partial wrap should only cost around $1k so I save some money if go this route.

I'm just looking for ideas let me know what you think.

 

You can take it to a body shop or do it yourself, but there are ways to make the scratch much less noticeable. Simply using a clear coat safe polish on the scratch will take away some of its appearance, but a light wet sand with a combination of touch up paint can completely remove the scratch and fill it in.

 

The scratch is down to the metal just about all the way around. Do you think doing the wetsand/touchup will fix it up without much noticeability? Any price estimate on this?

 

Don't wrap the top to save money. Get the car fixed the right way as vinyl wraps are only rated for about 5 years.

Most insurances will cover a vandalism claim, so you'll just be paying your deductible... If you have insurance anyway.

 

Nope i'm running basic coverage on this car. I always assumed that if I hit someone and it was my fault then its on me and I should be the one paying for the car. If it was their fault then they paid for my car so it all worked out. I didn't account for dumb *** drunk kids keying my car.

Anyways, just a did a quote for a $500 deductible it would be over $2k a year so in the end I am going to be spending less with my $700 a year insurance and just pocketing this expense.

 

^sounds like you dont account for getting in a car accident either, but thats what insurance is for. for a quality paint job is minimum 2k. if your interested, my friend can do a complete color change for that price, he paints all of my stuff.

 

funny.. i did the same thing.

Wrapped to cover a key line around my car from a youngster i ahd to let go from our telemarketing room back in mtg days.. hed been there a week and was shady as hell.. time to go.. aaand there ya go.

Oh well, such is life, and his is apparently going to be a harder life than mine.. haha.. i aint mad.

 

Looks like the repair is on your dime. And you found a reputable painter who will do the entire car for $3000? Doubt it.

 

+1 to getting it painted. When/if you ever decide to sell your Z, you wouldn't have to worry about still having scratches on it.

 

So I am getting mixed responses here. Is the entire car going to need a repaint or is a wetsand/touch up over the scratched area going to solve my problem? I am sure the touchup would be much cheaper...

 

youre missing one thing. whos wrapping your car.. yourself?

It extremely hard to do.

And shop will charge you about 3k to wrap a car, and thats if youre stock bodied. No kit etc.

Pull out your interior, go straight pipe out the side behind the front tire, buy a huge 75" GT wing and go with a 18x10.5 square enkei rpf wheel/tire set up and wrap your car hot pink and white w race car sponsor and number graphics all over it .....becuase race car..
its your only option at this point. lol.

 

I would like to see pics please!

 

If it's down to the metal, or even into the color coat, sanding/polish/touch up ain't gonna cut it. You're going to need a paint job. Paying a shop to wrap it will save a little but of money. Doing it yourself will save a lot of money. I've seen tons of wraps done by amateurs that look pretty good. Just take your time, be patient, and do it a panel at a time.

 

I took it to Maaco today and they gave me a quote for $2200. I talked them down to $1800 and got them to touch up some rock chips on the front fender and a rust spot right above the front passenger tire. From reading online over the past few days people were saying it would be over $2000 for sure and pushing $3000 possibly so I went ahead and left my car with them.

Hopefully it all turns out okay...

 

I would suggest getting full repaint. It's your opportunity to try a different color ;(

 

I know Maaco has "warrantys" but they do overall bad jobs. Read local online/Yelp reviews or go see a Maaco painted car 6 months later.

I would only take a beater to them that needed paint badly.

My dad painted a beater with their level/phase 3, ran him like $1200 for that car. initially and from 10ft away it looks great. Upon closer inspection they hadnt taped off trim pieces, window mouldings, wipers, or put back half the bolts on the headlights, and front bumper, as we eventually found out when it randomly fell off the car. Roof paint was done so thin I dont even think it was cleared and it peeled 1yr later lol...

Get it done elsewhere, for another $700-1000 it can surely be done correctly.

 

If it looks bad ill just cancel the charge on my credit card and have it repainted elsewhere. I won't accept a crappy job. It's a family owned Maaco too and the owner walked me through what all is going to be done to the car. Well see how it turns out.

 

only maaco paints brake caliper and rotors free of charge

 

I wonder how your Z got keyed in the first place.

 

that sucks hopefully it turns out alright