Just got a new (to me) car.. have a couple of questions.

[firey]

I just bought a 2009 Chevy Malibu LS.  The car is in great shape with low KMs (51000).  However on the back panel near the gas tank are a few scratches.  They are a bit thicker than key scratches.. I'd say maybe the width of the tip of a pen, not overly long maybe 5cm or so.

The paint around them is not flaking off or anything.  Before I purchased the vehicle I had asked the sales lady to see if they could be touched up.  I noticed the scratches were still there and asked her about it.  She told me that they would have had to sand the paint down to metal, and then repaint the panel.  Then due to the fact the one panel would have newer/different paint then it would have to be written down as being a different panel.  Which would mean it would have to be re-registered and other various things done.  

I told her that it was okay, and she said the buffed it down (and it does feel smooth).   

My question is kind of two parts.

#1) I can get touch-up paint online that is apparently OEM.  It also is the same color as my car.  Is it worth getting touch up paint?  Is there risk of rust or it getting worse? Is there a better option?

#2) Is it worth it to get it RustCheck'd with full rust coat, and under coating.  They will do interior component and exterior components, electrical, motor, etc.

If I get it rust proofed, I am assuming that will prevent any rust if #1 isn't worth looking at... however I am not well versed in what should and shouldn't be done with vehicles.

My main concern obviously is the scratches could be a point of entry for rust and such.. but not sure if it is a real risk or not.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

I just bought a 2009 Chevy Malibu LS.  The car is in great shape with low KMs (51000). 

 

Congratulations! What colour is it?

 

#1) I can get touch-up paint online that is apparently OEM.  It also is the same color as my car.  Is it worth getting touch up paint?  Is there risk of rust or it getting worse? Is there a better option?

 

From my experience, even if you get the original touch-up paint from the manufacturer that matches your car's colour - there will still be a slight, but noticeable difference in colour (because it's a whole different type of paint, without coating) Touch-up paint basically comes in small containers with a mini brush similar to ladies nail polish.

 

 Is it worth getting touch up paint?

 

It depends how irritated you are by those scratches, how noticeable they seem to you, and how much you are willing to spend to fix it.

 

Is there risk of rust or it getting worse?

 

The risk of rust is supposed to be lower after you've touched it up, compared to just leaving it as it is. However, only a proper paint job can give you a full anti-rust guarantee.

 

Is there a better option?

 

Sanding and repainting it at the shop is the best and most expensive option. The part will be like new.

 

#2) Is it worth it to get it RustCheck'd with full rust coat, and under coating.  They will do interior component and exterior components, electrical, motor, etc.

 

 

This depends on how long you are willing to keep the car. If you plan to sell it after a couple of years, I'd say it's not worth it.

 

Rustproofing interior components is an overkill imho. I usually just rustproof the bottom of the car. Other parts aren't susceptible to rust as much.

 

My main concern obviously is the scratches could be a point of entry for rust and such.. but not sure if it is a real risk or not.

 

 

I'd say you have time until about 2015-2016 before the car starts to show the first signs of rust. How fresh are those scratches? Can you take a picture?

[firey]

Congratulations! What colour is it?

 

 

It's "Urban Moss Green"

 

 

From my experience, even if you get the original touch-up paint from the manufacturer that matches your car's colour - there will still be a slight, but noticeable difference in colour (because it's a whole different type of paint, without coating) Touch-up paint basically comes in small containers with a mini brush similar to ladies nail polish.

 

 

Okay, I figured it wouldn't be a perfect match.

 

 

It depends how irritated you are by those scratches, how noticeable they seem to you, and how much you are willing to spend to fix it.

 

 

I'm not irritated by them, I am more concerned about rust.  My thought is that if I can prevent rust now.. I will save in the long run.

 

 

The risk of rust is supposed to be lower after you've touched it up, compared to just leaving it as it is. However, only a proper paint job can give you a full anti-rust guarantee.

 

Okay, I talked to my sisters Fiance who is a car guy, and he said that it looks like the paint is scratched but the base coat is still present, so it shouldn't rust, but there is a risk still.

 

 

Sanding and repainting it at the shop is the best and most expensive option. The part will be like new.

 

That's what the dealership said, however they said that to do that there is a bunch of other legal stuff that has to be put down for the car (saying panels are different).

 

This depends on how long you are willing to keep the car. If you plan to sell it after a couple of years, I'd say it's not worth it.

 

Rustproofing interior components is an overkill imho. I usually just rustproof the bottom of the car. Other parts aren't susceptible to rust as much.

 

Well, I have to pay the car off in 4 and a half years.  So I am hoping to get a fair number of years (6-7+ if possible).  As the car isn't that old I don't think it is out of the question.  As for the rust proofing, it is all part of their package.  I understand that it is may be overkill but at the same time.. better safe than sorry.

 

 

 

 

I'd say you have time until about 2015-2016 before the car starts to show the first signs of rust. How fresh are those scratches? Can you take a picture?

 

 

 

I will take a picture later.  I honestly have no clue how new the scratches are.  They could be months old.  I noticed them before I bought the car.. and it has rained since but I don't see any signs of rust on or around them.

[streetw0lf]

Expect to get many more dents, dings, and scratches unless you cover your car in bubble wrap :-)  I completely understand your concerns but the world is not kind to cars.  Good luck with the car.

[HawkMan]

Many "modern" workshops today to new type of fixes where they can fix smaller paint blemishes like that and smaller bumps quickly and fairly cheap compared to the operation she described to you.

 

the method(s) has a special name, but I don't remmber what it is, it's fairly basic anyway but somethign they haven't traditionally done. what they will do is simply sand down the area to be fixed(if needed) and paint that area, with matchin paint and if they can't match the paint perfectly, that it out so it will blend and you won't be able to notice the difference.

[firey]

Thanks for the advice

@street

Yea for sure.  I have driven for many years.. but as this is my first car that I am paying for (Insurance, Finance, etc) and is in my name.. I wanna make sure it lasts as long as possible.

@ Hawk

I will definitely look into this.  I know that the sanding, painting, etc is costly and time consuming.