Got a pretty good 2 inch scratch along the side of my Max. What is the BEST way to take care of this?

 

i would take it to a good reputable car detailer in your area, they could buff it out no problem. As long as the scratch is not too deep, usually the rule of thumb is ,if u can stick your fingernail in the scratch then its too deep to buff out.

 

"2009 Maxima SV + Sport Package
1999 Camaro Z28 305hp LS1 (original owner)"
Great taste in cars! Don't happen to have a 67 camaro SS or a 69 R/T on top of that do you? ; )

 

i just got a 6 inch scracth in my car a few weeks ago. it was the shape of a cross on my drivers side door. $300 to fix.

take it to an autobody place, dont mess around with trying to do it yourself. thats one of those things that have to be left to professionals.

 

300....ouch!

 

I used something called Quixx Repair System to remove two scuff marks on the driver side front panel. I don't know what hit the car to cause the marks, but I used this stuff and it works great! Once word of caution though...if the scratch is deep you will have to wet sand the spot (the kit comes with everything) very carefully. I bought it from Advanced Auto for $17. I did a test on my 1998 Mustang just to get familiar with it and it worked flawlessly. Just remember to use very light pressure if you have to wet sand the scratch so that you won't remove too much paint/clear coat. I do have a few scratches (not scuffs) on my 1998 Maxima. I can do a test on it and let you know how it works. I was very hesitant to do this on my 09 Max...but I am glad that I did!

 

I have 2 scratches also. It noticed after 2 days of driving the car. It is on the bottom part of the bumper. It is the lowest point of the bumper. I am thinking it might of gotten scraped with parking curb or speed bump, but I would noticed if it happened. Right now I am driving with to see if it happens again. But never happened. I will have to take it autobody shop for them buff it out or something. I know it will cost me about 300+ dollars. I am ticked. My car got violated within days of getting her. You can't notice the scratch unless you are looking for it. I notice the littlest thing. Aside from that, I love the 09.

Manoj

 

I know how you feel, when I bought my 09 Max last weekend I didnt think to look under the car. When i took the car home I was looking around it and discovered the bottom pretty scraped up. I'm seeing if the dealer will do anything but I'm sure I will get the "how do we know you didnt do it ater you drove it off the lot".

Since the bottom of the front bumper is plastic, you cant really buff that out, I guess they would have to fill it, smooth and repaint it. My cars cherry has already been popped I feel and it's killing me

 

I use meguiars scratch remover, it works like a charm. after Im finished i use mequiars next 2.0 wax over the are. Out of all the waxes I use Mequiars 2.0 wax is the best!

 

Add a small dent to that too....I'm having a great week! Think I'm going to head back to Nissan and get a price on both the small dent and the scratch. I bet 350 bucks to have it all taken care of. The dent is small but I can see it.

 

Just got my 1st dent on saturday, during my daughters bday. I had 8 boxes of pizza to take to the party so i decided to quickly park inbetween 2 cars with enough distance, I noticed that the car on my driver side had a babyseat on the rear and for some reason gave me the chills that, if the parent wanted to put the kid in his seat she would probably open the door all the way. I ran really quick with the pizzas but by the time i got back, dammit man i had a dent on my rear driver side fender about 3 inches long. I'm soo pissed at myself for parking inbetween 2 cars. Its my 1st time since i've had the maxima and go figure i get hit by another door. It was the same scenario when i got the scratch on the passenger door. It was superbowl day and I parked right by the entrance of the house where everyone was walking and it looks like some kid riding his scooter or bike put a scratch on the door. I wonder how much it will cost to get rid of the scratch and that nasty dent.

 

I am one of those that notices every single scratch and it bugs the hell out of me. Once I get a few I will take it to a detailer to buff them out. I know it wont be the last!

 

If you guys haven't tried PDR(Paintless Dent Repair), give it a look. The guy I go to charges about $70 for the first one and less for each succeeding dent he repairs on that visit.

I've had several done, and no one has been able to point to the location of the dent, even after I told them the panel it was on.

 

I backed into my bike a few days ago and got a 1/4" chip in the paint.
Should I fix it myself and if I do fix it where should I get the touch up kit?

 

PDR is the best invention ever! I must of spent at least 2k$ on PDR for my last car an Acura

 

FIX IT! "Now the scratch has met its match!"

 

Here is the before picture of the scratch on my Mustang (Ignore the 09 Max in the reflection ) If you scroll down far enough, you will see the Mustang's rear wheel/tire.



Here is after using Quixx

 

Ron I have the same thing on my car, did you pay to get it fixed? or is it still there?

 

It's still there. I need to do something about it soon.

 

Most scratch removers are crap. I have tried many over the years and wasted money too.

The only thing I have found that works is Quixx. And why it works is they provide 3000grid sandpaper that does the trick.

That and elbow grease is the only way to get rid of scratches. Deep scratches, I don't think so.

 

Would you reccommend taking the car to the dealership for a scratch about 2 inches long and a dent the size of a quarter? I'm more comfortable having it at Nissan for the work than some autobody place. What do you think?

 

The Quixx stuff works well if you are willing to put some time into it. I did that with a 6 inch scratch. If it is deep, use some touch up over the area, let it dry and then Quixx it.

As far as small dents, there are some companies that specialize in that.

 

If you can catch your fingernail on the scratch while (no pun intended) scratching it then you need to take it to a profesional, I would not take it to the dealer for anything ever to with the paint but that is just me.

 

The three Nissan dealers closest to me outsource all body/paint work. One uses a huge nearby Chevy dealer, one uses an adjacent
Lincoln-Mercury dealer and I'm not sure who the third one uses. Unless your Nissan dealer is a fairly large dealership, I would expect
he may outsource body and paint work.

 

What is the difference in outsourcing vs me bringing it to a bodyshop? I'd rather have it under Nissan's care during the repairs. This way they warranty the work, etc.

 

am I off by thinking its best to go to the dealer and have them outlet the work?

 

Not at all. Just make SURE whoever does the work gives some kind of warranty. In most cases, your Nissan dealer does
not take the car to the shop doing the work, but simply tells you where it is and how to get there. The warranty will come
from the shop doing the work. I would expect that shop to be another (probably larger) car dealer's inhouse shop.

This will almost always be the place your Nissan dealer sends any car on his lot for body work when something happens to it.

 

If I were you I would just take it to a reputable body shop. Ask around, I am sure more then one or two people you know have had work done at a body shop and can tell you how it went. I personally wouldn't take it to the dealership for this kind of thing. To me it seems to be an unnecessary third party unless they are covering it under warranty. It may sound crude, but try giving a call to the largest ad in the Yellowbook. You could even check out their BBB history if you wanted.

 

Personally with the car being new I would rather go to the Dealer I got it from (a pretty big dealer) and have them arrange it/do it themselves. Taking it to a body shop seems more risky as they have no tie to you and your car.

 

I can understand that. But honestly, this has nothing to do with Nissan. Nissan will tell you to go to their sponsored body shop. If you go to a third party you have more leeway on how good the body shop is. I can tell you from experience that the body shop I went to that Nissan recommended for warranty warranty work to have them attempt to fix my paint wasn't that good of a body shop and they didn't do a good job in the end. I am not trying to argue with you by any means but rather just give you some insight on some experience I have had.

 

Quite frankly - the results will be determined by the talent of the individual working on the repair, not the shop he works for. I have found that most of the higher talent individuals gravitate toward privately owned shops where they can work on commission - and thus be compensated for their excellence.

The accountability of the owner, whether an individual or a dealership, can obviously also come into play if you expereience less than expected results.

That being said - it is certainly possible that you can find talented people at a dealership body shop. But it does seem that most of them move pretty quickly.