My pride and joy has been keyed!!!

[Kalpsn2000]

Have been pretty lucky in my 7 years ownership of my Mk5 GTI in terms of damage to my pride and joy. Only had one scrape and the person left details.

But a couple of weekend's ago after a shopping trip to the local Tesco, came back to the car loaded up and got in the drivers seat. Then my wife goes to get into the passenger side and just freezes. She says there's a big scratch down the side of the door. I went over and saw that it had been keyed

There was a long line on the passenger door and 2 smaller lines on the wing

The sun was out and the car was looking gooood! Therefore I'm assuming some jealous f***** has done it!

No CCTV in that part of the car park

Now after some time has passed I can appreciate it could have been worse but still very upsetting.

Taken at Tesco:






Taken at home:






Anyway now the anger has gone I need to look into what can be done. I'm based in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Any recommended bodywork places in the surrounding area?

[Pesky jones]

Feel your pain buddy I had mine done going from the front wing, across front door, rear door and rear panel. I couldnt bring myself to spend £600+ so decided to live with it.

I think £150 a panel is a fair price. I know a good body shop in Enfield if thats any good

[pudding]

I hate vandalism threads.  Makes me mad 

Why hasn't a way of filling in scratches been invented yet?!?  I wish wrapping was cheaper than it is too.  A good wrap is nearly as much as a respray these days......but it's a good way of covering up marks and scratches.

[willni]

I hate vandalism threads.  Makes me mad 

Why hasn't a way of filling in scratches been invented yet?!?  I wish wrapping was cheaper than it is too.  A good wrap is nearly as much as a respray these days......but it's a good way of covering up marks and scratches.

It's mainly down to paint colour match paints fade etc from neglect or just general weathering that you can't fill in scratches, you can touch them in and sand them down but they can stand out because of the above. Protection wrapping is expensive but now they're made to last for ten years, depending on the car a small half car costing around £600, it turns into £60 a year depending on your choice of course self-healing is the only way in my opinion so you don't get scratches etc.

There's also the option of ceramic coatings both professionally and enthusiast applied, I have ceramic on mine and a put it on a lot of my family members and friends cars, mine used to get stone chipped like mad but they've reduced dramatically I'm hesitant to say I've received none the the past year, but I think I've gotten a maximum of 3 tiny one, vs 10 medium sized the previous year.

Also @Kalpsn2000 if you pour some water over the key scratches and they disappear they'll disappear, if not they should at the least be reduced by polishing.

[Kalpsn2000]

Feel your pain buddy I had mine done going from the front wing, across front door, rear door and rear panel. I couldnt bring myself to spend £600+ so decided to live with it.

I think £150 a panel is a fair price. I know a good body shop in Enfield if thats any good

Pretty sure I came across your thread. Yours sounded much worse than mine. Definitely feel your pain mate.

I'm assuming you mean Enfield north London...its not too far. If you can send me the details of the place that would be great

[Kalpsn2000]

I hate vandalism threads.  Makes me mad 

Why hasn't a way of filling in scratches been invented yet?!?  I wish wrapping was cheaper than it is too.  A good wrap is nearly as much as a respray these days......but it's a good way of covering up marks and scratches.

It's mainly down to paint colour match paints fade etc from neglect or just general weathering that you can't fill in scratches, you can touch them in and sand them down but they can stand out because of the above. Protection wrapping is expensive but now they're made to last for ten years, depending on the car a small half car costing around £600, it turns into £60 a year depending on your choice of course self-healing is the only way in my opinion so you don't get scratches etc.

There's also the option of ceramic coatings both professionally and enthusiast applied, I have ceramic on mine and a put it on a lot of my family members and friends cars, mine used to get stone chipped like mad but they've reduced dramatically I'm hesitant to say I've received none the the past year, but I think I've gotten a maximum of 3 tiny one, vs 10 medium sized the previous year.

Also @Kalpsn2000 if you pour some water over the key scratches and they disappear they'll disappear, if not they should at the least be reduced by polishing.

I'll try the water test. Pretty sure the ones on the wing will go with polishing but not sure about the door. Anyway lets see what they say when i get to a body shop.

[Roczen]

Hi, where did you get the bodywork painted in the end? I ask as I also live in Rickmansworth and need a few scratches (down to the metal) repaired. Just bought the car - came with the scratches. Black 5dr GTI. 

[MPS]

As the door panel can be unbolted from the rest of the door wouldn't it be cheapest to buy a replacement from a breaker on ebay?

[Rado16v]

I've come across people recommend http://www.lemass.co.uk in Chalfont St Peters but haven't used them myself.

I've used a place called CCR in Iver and I've been happy with their work. They always have a fine selection of top end cars in their workshop which is reassuring. Speak to Joni  (Yoni) on 01753662474

[DBXdarkangel]

Just curious as to why yu guys mention cost of a respray, claim on your insurance as that's what it's there for and if your like me who has no claims protected and fully comprehensive thend happy days.

[pudding]

I guess people balance the cost of their excess and insurance hikes the following year.   Protected doesn't really mean a lot.  Your premiums will still go up regardless because of the "Have you had any claims in the last 5 years?" bullsh*t. 

If I was to claim for vandal damage, I would scratch some panels myself that have chips or dents and get them done as well 

[DBXdarkangel]

How much does it cost tho to paint a wing and a door?  Cost audi well over 1k to paint just the roof on my old a3. Lucky it was under warranty.  My access is only 200 on my mk5 and my insurance only went up £50 when I claimed on a total loss when my insignia caught fire.
Might be cheaper these days to buy a complete door off fleabay and replace all of it then go through insurance :/

[Roczen]

Thanks for the tips. I got a quote for £100 per panel. So boot, front wing and front bumper £300. I thought that was pretty cheap!

The bodyshop said if there is a scratch then the whole panel needs to be painted, they can't do a touch up and make it match. Is that correct?

[Tuffy]

Correct. I just had my drivers door painted (£150) I took a chance and didn’t pay the extra £120 to have it blended into the wing a rear quarter and it’s a great match btw....mines black

[croak2012]

Thanks for the tips. I got a quote for £100 per panel. So boot, front wing and front bumper £300. I thought that was pretty cheap!

The bodyshop said if there is a scratch then the whole panel needs to be painted, they can't do a touch up and make it match. Is that correct?

where did you get that quote from?
thanks
ian