Keyed GFM
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: CA
Keyed GFM
My baby just turned one a few days ago and I've enjoyed her ever since my 2000 Acura Integra GS-R got stolen last year. I figured I wouldn't be on some kid's must want to steal list when I got her and I thought she would blend in with the billions of other second gen IS rolling around in Southern California. Unfortunately, bad luck struck me tonight when I got dropped off from work to pick up my car at a friend's house. I've parked her in front of his house for carpooling purposes for the last 3 months and didn't have any problems. The neighborhood is questionable and I've always did a quick visual outside inspection before getting into the car to head home.
Tonight I found a pretty deep key mark running along the driver side from the back door to the front fender. I've neglected washing her for the past 3 weeks but amidst all that grime, I could see the key mark on the car in this dimly lit neighborhood. When my friend and I ran our fingernails over the deepest keyed section, we guessed that buffing would not remove it. At the moment, I'm feeling a little sad, a bit pissed off, and not sure what to do next.
So, to my fellow IS owners I have a few questions to ask...
1. Should I report this to the cops so they can be better informed of the bad things that happen in the area?
2. Should I report this to my insurance and pay the deductible to have my car repainted? I'm dreading the thought of the paint shop trying to color match my Glacier Frost Mica paint as I have heard that matching this paint color can be difficult. Also, I think I have 3 panels to paint on the driver's side (back door, front door, and front fender). I'll have to inspect my car in day light tomorrow to tell for sure if it is just 3 panels.
3. Should I try and have someone buff it out and do some touch up/claying magic?
4. Should I not repaint the car, as it seems to me that there are quite a few people with keyed up cars in Southern California and hopefully other people will leave my car alone?
5. If anyone is from the Los Angeles County area that knows a good and reputable paint shop, can you please recommend me to it?
I'm a bit bummed right now
. After moving from the Chicago suburbs to Los Angeles, I have had no luck with my cars these past 2 years. I keep thinking to myself that the people out here, for the lack of words, are not as nice as the people from where I grew up. I've never had problems with people messing with my car back in the burbs. It makes me miss Chicago but the thought of freezing winter temperatures and the hot humid summer heat waves kills my thoughts of missing my former home. As hard as it is, I have to try not to be like the haters, look beyond my material possessions and be thankful for what I have... a good life, a good family, good friends, someone who loves me and from what I've read so far on this forum, a bunch of supportive Lexus people at CL. Thanks in advance for everyone's help.
Tonight I found a pretty deep key mark running along the driver side from the back door to the front fender. I've neglected washing her for the past 3 weeks but amidst all that grime, I could see the key mark on the car in this dimly lit neighborhood. When my friend and I ran our fingernails over the deepest keyed section, we guessed that buffing would not remove it. At the moment, I'm feeling a little sad, a bit pissed off, and not sure what to do next.
So, to my fellow IS owners I have a few questions to ask...
1. Should I report this to the cops so they can be better informed of the bad things that happen in the area?
2. Should I report this to my insurance and pay the deductible to have my car repainted? I'm dreading the thought of the paint shop trying to color match my Glacier Frost Mica paint as I have heard that matching this paint color can be difficult. Also, I think I have 3 panels to paint on the driver's side (back door, front door, and front fender). I'll have to inspect my car in day light tomorrow to tell for sure if it is just 3 panels.
3. Should I try and have someone buff it out and do some touch up/claying magic?
4. Should I not repaint the car, as it seems to me that there are quite a few people with keyed up cars in Southern California and hopefully other people will leave my car alone?
5. If anyone is from the Los Angeles County area that knows a good and reputable paint shop, can you please recommend me to it?
I'm a bit bummed right now
. After moving from the Chicago suburbs to Los Angeles, I have had no luck with my cars these past 2 years. I keep thinking to myself that the people out here, for the lack of words, are not as nice as the people from where I grew up. I've never had problems with people messing with my car back in the burbs. It makes me miss Chicago but the thought of freezing winter temperatures and the hot humid summer heat waves kills my thoughts of missing my former home. As hard as it is, I have to try not to be like the haters, look beyond my material possessions and be thankful for what I have... a good life, a good family, good friends, someone who loves me and from what I've read so far on this forum, a bunch of supportive Lexus people at CL. Thanks in advance for everyone's help.
If I was you, I would report it to insurance and tell them you have a specific body shop to go to and bring it to Backyard Creations since you're in CA, I've seen them color match so well.
I know a great place to take your car if insurance is paying for it and a great place to take your car if YOU are paying for it. Both places are about 30 min drive w/ no traffic from Downtown LA.
Don't have someone try to buff it out..most likely they'll ruin it.
Don't have someone try to buff it out..most likely they'll ruin it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 1
From: Socal
I know of a really good shop, but its near yorba linda which is pretty far from you...
is it keyed down past the primer? if so you will have to do something about it otherwise it will start rusting....if not then you can leave it as is... but i doubt it will deter people from continuing to key it...
is it keyed down past the primer? if so you will have to do something about it otherwise it will start rusting....if not then you can leave it as is... but i doubt it will deter people from continuing to key it...
Sorry to hear about your damage. It seems that there are people out there that envy our cars. I hope karma comes around to the individual(s) that did this to your car and that it doesn't happen to anyone else. I'm sure your baby will be looking new once again. Look on the brighter side, at least nothing else was vandalized or stolen.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: KY
Welcome to the club? I'm glad not to be in LA. I stand out a little but have so far avoided the haters. It may happen, so I'll enjoy it while it lasts. Good luck with that. That's why I got $0 comprehensive deductible, to ease the pain!
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,994
Likes: 248
From: California
Sad to hear of your situation and one can very much see your pain and frustration.
I'd definitely report it to the police. At the very least, they need to know what is going on in that area so they can step up patrols. A police department cannot know where the hot spots are if people keep quiet.
At any rate, don't worry about the GFM matching issue. Find a good shop that has some recommendations and they should be able to make it look like nothing ever happened.
I'd definitely report it to the police. At the very least, they need to know what is going on in that area so they can step up patrols. A police department cannot know where the hot spots are if people keep quiet.
At any rate, don't worry about the GFM matching issue. Find a good shop that has some recommendations and they should be able to make it look like nothing ever happened.
My baby just turned one a few days ago and I've enjoyed her ever since my 2000 Acura Integra GS-R got stolen last year. I figured I wouldn't be on some kid's must want to steal list when I got her and I thought she would blend in with the billions of other second gen IS rolling around in Southern California. Unfortunately, bad luck struck me tonight when I got dropped off from work to pick up my car at a friend's house. I've parked her in front of his house for carpooling purposes for the last 3 months and didn't have any problems. The neighborhood is questionable and I've always did a quick visual outside inspection before getting into the car to head home.
Tonight I found a pretty deep key mark running along the driver side from the back door to the front fender. I've neglected washing her for the past 3 weeks but amidst all that grime, I could see the key mark on the car in this dimly lit neighborhood. When my friend and I ran our fingernails over the deepest keyed section, we guessed that buffing would not remove it. At the moment, I'm feeling a little sad, a bit pissed off, and not sure what to do next.
So, to my fellow IS owners I have a few questions to ask...
1. Should I report this to the cops so they can be better informed of the bad things that happen in the area?
2. Should I report this to my insurance and pay the deductible to have my car repainted? I'm dreading the thought of the paint shop trying to color match my Glacier Frost Mica paint as I have heard that matching this paint color can be difficult. Also, I think I have 3 panels to paint on the driver's side (back door, front door, and front fender). I'll have to inspect my car in day light tomorrow to tell for sure if it is just 3 panels.
3. Should I try and have someone buff it out and do some touch up/claying magic?
4. Should I not repaint the car, as it seems to me that there are quite a few people with keyed up cars in Southern California and hopefully other people will leave my car alone?
5. If anyone is from the Los Angeles County area that knows a good and reputable paint shop, can you please recommend me to it?
I'm a bit bummed right now. After moving from the Chicago suburbs to Los Angeles, I have had no luck with my cars these past 2 years. I keep thinking to myself that the people out here, for the lack of words, are not as nice as the people from where I grew up. I've never had problems with people messing with my car back in the burbs. It makes me miss Chicago but the thought of freezing winter temperatures and the hot humid summer heat waves kills my thoughts of missing my former home. As hard as it is, I have to try not to be like the haters, look beyond my material possessions and be thankful for what I have... a good life, a good family, good friends, someone who loves me and from what I've read so far on this forum, a bunch of supportive Lexus people at CL. Thanks in advance for everyone's help.
Tonight I found a pretty deep key mark running along the driver side from the back door to the front fender. I've neglected washing her for the past 3 weeks but amidst all that grime, I could see the key mark on the car in this dimly lit neighborhood. When my friend and I ran our fingernails over the deepest keyed section, we guessed that buffing would not remove it. At the moment, I'm feeling a little sad, a bit pissed off, and not sure what to do next.
So, to my fellow IS owners I have a few questions to ask...
1. Should I report this to the cops so they can be better informed of the bad things that happen in the area?
2. Should I report this to my insurance and pay the deductible to have my car repainted? I'm dreading the thought of the paint shop trying to color match my Glacier Frost Mica paint as I have heard that matching this paint color can be difficult. Also, I think I have 3 panels to paint on the driver's side (back door, front door, and front fender). I'll have to inspect my car in day light tomorrow to tell for sure if it is just 3 panels.
3. Should I try and have someone buff it out and do some touch up/claying magic?
4. Should I not repaint the car, as it seems to me that there are quite a few people with keyed up cars in Southern California and hopefully other people will leave my car alone?
5. If anyone is from the Los Angeles County area that knows a good and reputable paint shop, can you please recommend me to it?
I'm a bit bummed right now
. After moving from the Chicago suburbs to Los Angeles, I have had no luck with my cars these past 2 years. I keep thinking to myself that the people out here, for the lack of words, are not as nice as the people from where I grew up. I've never had problems with people messing with my car back in the burbs. It makes me miss Chicago but the thought of freezing winter temperatures and the hot humid summer heat waves kills my thoughts of missing my former home. As hard as it is, I have to try not to be like the haters, look beyond my material possessions and be thankful for what I have... a good life, a good family, good friends, someone who loves me and from what I've read so far on this forum, a bunch of supportive Lexus people at CL. Thanks in advance for everyone's help.P.S. Yes, come back to Chicago
Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Miami, Surburb of Havana :/ :/
Sorry dude!!! Freaking must have been kids with way too much time on their hands!
Remember, If you use you insurance you have the RIGHT to take it to any body shop you prefer. Its your right not theirs! They might take longer cutting the check if the shop is not on their prefered list but I wouldnt settle for less. High end cars need high end shops to match the paint.
Remember, If you use you insurance you have the RIGHT to take it to any body shop you prefer. Its your right not theirs! They might take longer cutting the check if the shop is not on their prefered list but I wouldnt settle for less. High end cars need high end shops to match the paint.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: New England
people from California always trash and dog us people who live in the midwest but this is just another example of why I'm so glad I don't live out in the land of fruit and nuts. Can't even own a decent car without it getting stolen or hated on. You can have that cess pool known as L.A.
people from California always trash and dog us people who live in the midwest but this is just another example of why I'm so glad I don't live out in the land of fruit and nuts. Can't even own a decent car without it getting stolen or hated on. You can have that cess pool known as L.A.