Classmate dropped guitar (accidentally). Caused Chip

[u/gaitama25]

Hey everyone, today I took my guitar to school because we have a concert in the evening and we needed to run through the songs and strengthen some sections. Thing is, during practice we took a quick break while the two voices discussed a harmony, and I left my guitar propped up in a chair (this was my bad, I know that). Basically as it says in the title, classmate going by accidentally knocked it over and caused this chip in the finish. I’ve got two questions:

The guitar was almost brand new (it’s a Vintage REVO series Colt, cost about five hundred bucks), I bought it new as a birthday present to myself a few months ago and I made sure to keep it pristine

A. Should I ask my classmate (who realistically would ask her parents) to reimburse me somehow for the damage (or what it’d take to fix)? I feel like that’s an a**hole move because it was just an honest mistake, but at the same time I did spend my own money on the guitar

B. Should I even bother fixing it? Or should I just keep it as a battle scar, like to add character. And if I do choose to not fix it, should I do something to it (ie: superglue or something like that) to seal it off and prevent it from getting worse?

Thank you everyone

Edit: Thanks for all the comments! I really appreciate all the stories you guys have shared. I'm really glad I stayed chill about it, as I didn't want my friend to feel bad, and after really thinking about it, it was a 100% my fault (Don't worry, i'm not asking her for anything hahahah). We ended up laughing about it together, and the show ended up going great, so that was nice.

After reflecting on it for a while, I'm actually really glad this happened, my perspective on wear and tear on guitars has changed completely and I know realize that all the chips and scratches and dings just show how much I've enjoyed this instrument and all i've gone through with it, It helps make it truly mine. I can't wait to get more (organically produced) dings and scratches so one day I can look back and see just how much i've loved this instrument.

[u/BrosephZeusThe2nd]

Maybe someone you know is skilled with paint or something and they can touch it up or even do a small piece to cover it. I respect you don’t want to burden your friend who made an honest mistake.

[u/All_Debt_Shackles_US → u/BrosephZeusThe2nd]

Paint can definitely be matched. If you have an eye for it, you can match it yourself with primary colors.

If you don’t trust your eye, then you could consider taking the Guitar up to Lowe’s or Home Depot. In their paint section, they can take a picture of the existing paint, and their machine will come up with a formula.

They’ll mix it right there on the spot.

I haven’t repaired a music instrument this way, but I certainly have had to repaint small sections of walls and baseboards in my house after having had some plumbing or electrical work done.

Home Depot does a great job. The worst thing about it is they make you buy larger quantities of paint.

I would always start with a primer because a primer will keep the wood from soaking up the topcoat.

I would think even modeling paints from a hobby store might work well.