Bay Area Touch Up Painter..is there such a thing?

[revkev]

I have a couple of fingernail scratches on my car that a buff and polish will not be able to correct. I went to 3 different auto body/paint shops and they all said there is no way to touch up the scratches without it looking like it was "touched up." They all said the panel had to be resprayed. I am leaning on the belief that a touch up job is chump change vs. a respray so they will of course go for the upsell. I found 2 different "touch up" companies on Yelp. They both said they can touch up at 60-70% matching. They also said the touch up would NOT be flush.

My friends (out of state of course) has had great success in touching up by:
1. Sanding the area.
2. Applying paint.
3. Properly buffing the area with pro grade equipment.

I don't have the time or resources to do this on my own, plus I lack the skill set. Has anyone found a good "touch up" artist in the Bay Area? If I can find a 90% matcher, I will be happy or is this a unicorn? Thanks

[comintern]

I have a couple scratches I would like to have fixed as well. And a side bolster tear. Any shops north of San Rafael you guys would recommend?

Thanks

[revkev]

We have the same problem.

For bolster:
Cooks in Redwood City was referred a lot.
Val's in the SF

[WyattEarp]

If you have a Colors on Parade franchise in your area or something similar they do a great job. Check around with the car dealers and see who they use. Most of these guys do a fantastic job. They will actually sand, spray and blend the area, all on site. I've had excellent results with my local guy.

[Palum6o]

Yeah, I'm here now and miss the guys from Carisma.

[revkev]

Thanks, I did find a Colors on Parade in SF. Just shot them an email. Going to try these guys too: L&M Mobile Car Touchup

[dyusem]

You may want to stop in and chat with Craig Whitman or Patrick Doherty at Whitman's in San Rafael before doing anything that you may regret.

[rgofast]

I have heard that the doctor color chip kits work well. You send them your paint code and they have a kit with blending solution that works well for small touch ups and even for road rash. Although I have not used the system, a friend in the local Porsche club has and said it worked well. If you have metallic paint you will never be able to touch up by hand with a good result. In order for the metallic to flow out and match, it has to be sprayed, possibly with a airbrush and very small tip. Then there is the clear coat. Sometimes these small flaws are better left alone, as the more you mess with them, the worse they look

[aabarth]

What you are seeking is a detailer, not a paint shop!
The OC Pclub has a guy that can do it all with wonderfull results !

[dyusem]

Dr. Colorchip does work well for rock nicks however I can't imagine the time and effort that would be required to make fingernail type scratches vanish, if that would even be possible.

Patience is required while using this product but it is also rewarded.

Originally Posted by rgofast

I have heard that the doctor color chip kits work well. You send them your paint code and they have a kit with blending solution that works well for small touch ups and even for road rash. Although I have not used the system, a friend in the local Porsche club has and said it worked well. If you have metallic paint you will never be able to touch up by hand with a good result. In order for the metallic to flow out and match, it has to be sprayed, possibly with a airbrush and very small tip. Then there is the clear coat. Sometimes these small flaws are better left alone, as the more you mess with them, the worse they look

[revkev]

dyusem. Please elaborate on the "chat." Have they touched up your car before? If so, may I ask for a pic? I am exploring all options at this point. Thanks

[dyusem]

Dr Colorchip is a product that is purchased and used by consumers to repair minor paint repairs.

I don't have any before / after pics, sorry.

Originally Posted by revkev

dyusem. Please elaborate on the "chat." Have they touched up your car before? If so, may I ask for a pic? I am exploring all options at this point. Thanks