I've had my TL for 8 days now and I just got my first big scratch. While driving near a dump truck yesterday something flew out of the back of it (a clump of mud/rocks perhaps) and left a 4 inch long by 2 inch wide scrape on the hood of my car.

It doesn't look like it is scratched down to the metal, but the paint is definately scratched. It as if someone scraped it with some pretty coarse grit sandpaper. The scratches are white.

Any suggestions for a repair? Should I try polishing compound first?

 

Did you get the license plate of the dump truck? They are liable for the damage. I would call your insurance company and report it to them and then take it to a reputable body shop. I would not mess with the polishing compound, since you have a clearcoat paint on the car and it is easily damaged by polishing compounds. I know the sick feeling when a new car gets it first major scratch.

 

unfortunately I didn't. I'll get a bodyshop estimate but I have a $500 deductable and I don't want my rates to rise so I'll probably pay out of pocket. Thanks for the response.

 

most dump trucks and heavy movers like that have a "stay back 400 feet - not responsible for broken windshields" sign

 

Where do you live? In PA, they're not unless you can prove the load was unsecure.

 

Depending on your insurance company, your rates may not go up for a "Comprehensive" claim. I've had repairs under my "Comprehensive" portion that didn't cause a rate change.

"Comprehensive" claims are usually for something that was beyond your control, so some insurance companies won't ding you for it.

 

yeah, similar thing happen to me before, a 18 wheeler drove over a metal plate on the freeway and the rear tires bring the plate up and flying, I was right behind the truck, so that plate hit my front passenger side fender. I was able to get it fixed along replacing the entire windshield due to a crack, without the insurance company increasing my rate. Just have to pay my deductable.