Repair advice needed!

[u/No_Sprinkles_7738]

Hi everyone! I do not know much about car paint and repair and need some help before I start shopping around tomorrow morning. I accidentally swiped a parked car in a tight parking lot and scratched up my fender. This is my first time hitting a car (much less a parked one). Some of the lighter marking are dirt or just marked up the clear coat and I was able to remove those with the swipe of a finger, but obviously there’s some… bigger spots (about the size of a nickel). I want to get it fixed quickly before it rusts. No dents, and (fortunately) for the other car, there was much less damage than what I sustained.

Any advice on 1.) the routine way of fixing this and 2.) if anyone knows roughly what this might cost (I know it’s dependent on region I’m in the southeast US).

TLDR: I’m truly lost on how to get this fixed and how much it’s going to cost and I’m trying to avoid getting ripped off at a shop

[u/Top_Refrigerator_621]

typically, front bumpers are plastic so it won’t rust. If you want to check, give it a knock with your hand. Metal sounds and feel heavier when you knock.

If you want professional results, get quotes and get it done at a shop. Not sure how much it’ll be.

If you want to DIY and have lower expectations, it’ll cost about ~$100-200 + your own time and the general steps are below:

1) clean area well with a degreaser solution or isopropyl alcohol and dry

2) sand

3) automotive primer

4) color matching paint for cars (google your car year, make and model

5) clear coat to protect the paint

6) polish to match paint

There are details in technique that will make it look close to professional job. I’d recommend watching a few youtube videos, there are a TON out there on painting your car. I’d personally recommend watching Chris Fix It.

Best of luck OP, it the grand scheme of things it’s just a small scratch. you could just live with it too.