Touching up your Volt's paint (nicks, chips) - Tint Coat / Tri-Coat

[ammPilot]

Probably did it on purpose.

Do you have a paintless dent removal guy that can push out that dent for you? Don't live with it that way! It's not too expensive for them to work their magic.

Dealer's service staff thinks it's too big a dent for that. I'll probably check around anyway, though. Thanks for the encouragement!

[dtaubert]

Dealer's service staff thinks it's too big a dent for that. I'll probably check around anyway, though. Thanks for the encouragement!

They are probably wrong. I've used a couple different local guys and they really can work magic.

For example, check out this web site:

http://www.dentexpertsal.com/

[voltage692]

Dealer's service staff thinks it's too big a dent for that. I'll probably check around anyway, though. Thanks for the encouragement!

Dealer's service staff wants to sell you a $500-1000 repair. Stay away from dealers as much as possible. I do, and my cars last longer and cost less.

The paintless dent guys are mobile and will come to your home or work. If they can't do it, they will tell you, but I have had them repair very big/difficult dents. Just don't get a newbie working on your car -- it's quite the skill.

[ammPilot]

Dealer's service staff wants to sell you a $500-1000 repair...The paintless dent guys are mobile...I have had them repair very big/difficult dents. Just don't get a newbie...

Thanks. DTaubert's recommendation, roughly local, has some awfully impressive photos of his work, including on cars that are worth, literally, 40-50x what ours are worth (mid-'30s-ish Duesenberg SJ). From his pictures, my dent should be child's play for him--though it will take touch-up paint, since the paint itself is dinged down through the color coat.

[wishman]

scottf200 - where did you end up buying your touchup paint? I have the same color as yours and need to touchup a spot.

[Ron C]

I bought some from the dealer. Two bottles, ~$30 or so - I don't really remember.

One thing maybe you can clarify: I seem to recall that the Red Volt color is called "Crystal Red Metallic TINTcoat" not "TRIcoat", which is why I believe that I have 2 colors instead of 3. Am I recalling incorrectly?

[scottf200]

One thing maybe you can clarify: I seem to recall that the Red Volt color is called "Crystal Red Metallic TINTcoat" not "TRIcoat", which is why I believe that I have 2 colors instead of 3. Am I recalling incorrectly?

See opening post with graphics <grin>. They seem to be used interchangeably.

scottf200 - where did you end up buying your touchup paint? I have the same color as yours and need to touchup a spot.

Embarrassingly enough this feel off my todo list. I actually need to buy some for our other two cars as well. They need it much worse than my Volt. I have a small area in the right rear where I backed into something while being distracted. I'm so cautious usually. Need to get these ordered for my vehicles!

[timlange3]

I have used the Dr. Colorchip system, (base one) several times and it does work as advertised. Dab, smear, and then after a few minutes, blend. Most of my chips disappear and I cannot find them again. The deep ones take several passes though.

[cottylowry]

Several years and a couple if sportscars ago I touched up my 1989 328GTS Ferrari befo selling it. The paint was not metallic, and was the standard Ferrari vivid orangish red, the result was fabulous. Color match was perfect and after a little practice, the process was very easy. Highly recommended. I did purchase the more expensive kit, but found that I had way more paint that I could ever use. The paint and the solvent to remove the excess blob that you apply is more important than the little swabs and microfiber in the more expensive kit.

[bjhorton2005]

I had my chips repaired before I had the 3m clear bra applied. It wasn't a very good job at all. It's filled in and at least a consistant color but the chips are as clear as day.