My car got keyed up about two years ago. It runs from the driver's side front bumper all the way to the rear bumper.

I used compound to get a small section out in the driver's door but it was too much for me to do in one day cause it was really deep in some areas.

I kept on putting it off and the scratch is still there. On the way to the Mass. meet, I got out and was checking it. There was some small rust in a small section, about a half an inch in the passenger side. By running my fingernail through it, I got rid of it.

My questions is: Should I use compound on the rest of the scratch and do it myself or take it to a shop to do it? I don't have a buffer.

 

If it has started to rust, that means the scratch went through the primer. You will need a lot of compund to get rid of it and the compund will take away too much of the clearcoat around the scratch. Take it to a good body shop. Hopefully they will be able to help you out. People who key cars should have their kneecaps broken....they really **** me off

 

don't compound any more. the existing paint will get too thin. head over to the body shop..if you want a temp fix go get something called rust avenger and see if that works.
then hit it up w/ some touch up paint.
good luck
Dan