Paint repair advice

[funkle]

I have some superficial damage to my paint on the rear hatch resulting from a break in. It is through the clear coat, but not paint. Insurance will cover repainting the entire piece. I have a shop that I believe can do a good job blending & matching orange peal. But I don't know if I want to do this extensive repainting for such a minor scratch. The paint is otherwise, nearly perfect, so would like to keep it that way as much as possible. What are your thoughts? Should I repaint the entire hatch with insurance footing the bill, or just touch up?

[BruceJ]

Originally Posted by funkle

I have some superficial damage to my paint on the rear hatch resulting from a break in. It is through the clear coat, but not paint. Insurance will cover repainting the entire piece. I have a shop that I believe can do a good job blending & matching orange peal. But I don't know if I want to do this extensive repainting for such a minor scratch. The paint is otherwise, nearly perfect, so would like to keep it that way as much as possible. What are your thoughts? Should I repaint the entire hatch with insurance footing the bill, or just touch up?

Not to be sarcastic but Id go with what the bodyshop says. Its what they do, daily. Presuming you have one you trust

[funkle]

Originally Posted by BruceJ

Not to be sarcastic but Id go with what the bodyshop says. Its what they do, daily. Presuming you have one you trust

I believe they'll do a "good" job, but I guess a part of me still questions whether they (or anyone) will be able to nail matching the paint color & texture 100%, and I will regret it (due to overly high expectations?). I was hoping for some accounts of what others have experienced. And of course the shop will most likely recommend the most costly rout if insurance is picking up the tab.

[inTgr8r]

It's hard to tell from that pic how bad it is (reflection)

If, as you say, it's just the clear coat, then it can definitely be touched up and buffed.
If it was me, I would prefer to keep the OE paint if at all possible.

Interlagos is a difficult color to match up with a respray.

[Vanne]

What Ian said +1

[itdnwiwbp]

I had a garage door chain break above my car and whip across my windshield, roof and rear quarter a few years ago. Down to bare metal. (There's a better account on here somewhere if you'd like to search.) Several years in now the paint (Interlagos) is still a perfect match. Of course I'm concerned about the long term but that's what lifetime guarantee for repairs through good insurance is for I guess. Full disclosure, the first job was terrible but a year later the shop made it right and totally reimbursed me for everything I had paid for as well as getting me a rental car. Just do your homework and pick a good paint shop.

[BruceJ]

I have had repairs, with paint matching several times.
New bumper for a mod to my Z4. Had a removable hardtop color changed to match my Z4. Finally, rear bumper replaced/color matched after my Z4 was rear-ended. Car was painted Hellrot. Unless you paint cars for a living you would never know. This car was garaged and mostly a weekend vehicle, probably made it easier to match the paint.
I also have a white 330i that has had repairs with paint work. It is not garaged and is alpine white. Again, if you didn't paint for a living it would be tough to tell.
Good luck
Bruce

[David70]

I would also get it touched up. Benefit to you is if they try and can't make it look great you can still have them repaint it.

[Polarbert]

Just had my bumper completely resprayed and you'd never be able to tell. Its an excellent job. I'd say let the insurance take care of it and respray.