Some a-hole spray painted my car

[her209]

Some time between Friday afternoon and Saturday some asshole spray painted a white line on the driver side of my car. It was just my car too (my brother's car is always parked right behind it) so its someone with a vendetta. If I had to guess whodunit, it would be an asshole in the neighborhood who was speeding in our neighborhood and almost crashed into me because he thought he had a right of way even though I was going straight on a T-intersection. Anyways, the sprayer had to had come at night as the neighbor's house across the street have windows that face into the street and there's usually people about in the neighborhood.

Should I get the cops involved? I doubt they'd be able to do anything, but I do want them to have a record of the incident in case something else happens in the future.

 

[lxskllr]

I wouldn't bother with the cops. Take pictures, create a document explaining the pictures, and store it on your computer. Dealing with the cops will just take up your valuable time, without any pay off.

 

[Analog]

I would definitely call the police. At least they have it on record. That way, if this guy does something worse later and is caught, it may be linked to him. Also, if he is caught doing the same thing to someone else, it also can be linked. Not calling is definitely a fail on your part.

 

[Vette73]

Yes file a police report. That way they will patrol the area a little more.


Also get some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1721.../dp/B001O7PNNM

Use that and a buffer and you will probable get most/all the paint off. Then wax it after as you are leaving the paint bare.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Have you tested the top speed of your vehicle with the new racing stripe? They can make a car much more visibly faster to the human eye.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Yes file a police report. That way they will patrol the area a little more.


Also get some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1721.../dp/B001O7PNNM

Use that and a buffer and you will probable get most/all the paint off. Then wax it after as you are leaving the paint bare.

Might not need to use compound, body solvents can remove paint, have to wax after those also though.

 

[silverpig]

The same thing happened to me several years ago, but it:

a. was a blue stripe on a POS white car
b. happened to multiple cars in the neighbourhood

Enough of us filed police reports and a few witnesses were found. Turned out to be a little douchebag kid. Went to court to testify, got a cheque for like $200 in the mail for restitution.

 

[gaidensensei]

There are only two ways anyone in a legal department could do anything, given that there was reason to do so. Everyone knows the cops likely will do nothing, your case would likely just be a waste of their resources.

What's not to say you can do something yourself?

But you could do two things if you wanted justice. You could dust it up for fingerprints.

The much reasonable alternative is to use forensic chemistry. In one lecture I've had regarding chemical analysis, the PhD candidate ran SEM and infrared analysis on vandalism and spray paint that was on a public transit subway. The subway company funded the research. After the paint analysis and determining the composition from the chemicals in the paint, they were able run a database check on vendors that sold that particular paint used in the mixture, to one local hardware store that had a supply. The research ended there, but they could have likely caught the culprit if they asked the store records - a large amount was used.

 

[Icepick]

Definitely file a police report to get this on record. I don't know if the insurance company will required it or not. As others have said, at the very least, it will alert the police to a vandalism problem in your area and there might already be other cases they can link yours too. You never, know, you might get the police closer to catching the victim. People who do stupid things like this often are caught bragging about their actions to someone. That's the way a lot of these cases get solved.

 

[RichUK]

Acquire a sawn-off shotgun and go on a rampage?

 

[IEC]

Report to police so that they have the case on file.

 

[BoomerD]

I agree with those who recommend reporting this. While the cops may not do anything...and may not even show up to take a report, at least it will be on record.
That should help with the insurance company...although, depending on your policy and deductible, it might not be of any financial benefit. (costs $300 to have professionally fixed, you have a $500 deductible)
So...even if it doesn't affect your ability to claim it on insurance, reporting it still alerts the police to the problem. You MAY not be the only one tagged...

 

[DrPizza]

File a police report.
Next garbage pick-up day, pick up his trash and search it for the can of spray paint. Keep yourself on videotape the entire time from picking up the bag until (if) you find it. If found, give a DVD of the video to the neighbor, point out that you already filed the police report, and ask if they want to make restitution WITH or WITHOUT going through the court system - their choice.

 

[Vette73]

Acquire a sawn-off shotgun and go on a rampage?

 

[dr150]

That sucks dude.



I hope your insurance deductible is low. Maybe a pro can lift the fresh spray paint off with some special chemicals and save you some money from have to pursue the insurance route.

 

[Malak]

Having a police report on record won't help except for insurance purposes. The incidents will never be linked because it won't be investigated.

 

[alkemyst]

But you could do two things if you wanted justice. You could dust it up for fingerprints.

I don't know many taggers touching the vehicle. Personally if I felt it was definitely the guy that I thought did it, I'd approach him about it and let him know he better keep an eye out if it's not him as he's the only guy I know to come see the next time.

Some asshat keyed my car right down the block about 10 years ago. Right after they were walking their dog and I was in first gear in a 20mph. I had dropped something I forget what and didn't upshift.

They started yelling and running into the road with their dog telling me to slow the fuck down. They were yelling and ranting...came up to my car as I stopped. I told them I am going 20, WTF?...they insisted I was doing 60+.

Anyway. Got upstairs to my office, see them walk up the driveway then running back down and away. I went out and had a 6" key mark.

Cops didn't do nothing, but I reported it anyway.

Needless to say they ended up losing this petty battle. Then they moved away.

 

[Ms. DICKINSON]

Just wipe it off. Just some cheap American paint. It shouldn't be that hard.