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So my car has now been baptized in to the world of damage... (aside from the scratch I had taken care of on delivery). I received a 4" long scratch that penetrated through the paint and got a pretty good line though the plastic rocker panel on the passenger side rear door. Sadly, the damage was significant enough to warrant a more extensive repair. So I got 400 grit through 2000 grit sandpapers, plastic body filler, a bucket of water, and the duplicolor paint stuff: primer, paint, and clear. Needless to say... NOT HAPPY with the color match of the paint. Oxford White has been in the Ford lineup FOREVER. Paint code YZ. This isn't anything new. I figured that a reputable company like Sherwin Williams (owners of Duplicolor) would have their stuff together. Nope. Have a look for yourselves. Looks like I get to do this repair again. I asked around and got a couple recommendations for Matrix Paint. There's a store about a dozen miles away that sells it. They mix it onsite, put it in a spray can, and also offer a special clear coat solution that's apparently a 2 part clear and hardener (you push a button on the bottom of the can which releases it in to the solution). It's definitely more expensive - I'm hearing about 55 bucks. Duplicolor was about half that. I don't know about their other color solutions, but I can say the Oxford White is not good.

I was parking my Energi today and slowly ran into a raised curb(ARGH :rant2:) It did not seem to ding the mechanics of the bumper, although I have to check a panel gap to see if it is out of line. I did however scratch a couple of dings into the bumper. Is the bumper painted or is it a solid color. It was raining so it may just be wet but after I wiped away the extruded plastic from the scratches it seems that there is still the grey color of the rest of the bumper. The car is only one week old and I hate the idea of taking it to a body shop already but if the bumper is one solid color I think I will be able to handle it. If there is any white showing though I will almost certainly have to do something about it. I will definitely not park in that area ever again! :banghead: Peace, Father Bill