Auto body repair & detailing: scratch repair, scratch area, paint touchup

Question
I have 2005 F150 truck - dark blue.  While turning around in a tight space, I inadvertantly scratched side (box) with the point of a sharp key.  It is a very narrow scratch, about  1 /3/4 inch long.  Yes, it went throught the clear and paint, barely perceptible when running my finger nail over it but I can feel it.  The standard repair shops want to fix/paint the scratch and then clearcoat the entire box side ($400-500).  I understand the reasoning why - clearcoat deteoration with time, where it is feathered out, if you just clear coat the scratch area.  But, I read about on the web how one can use very fine point brushes or a paint pen and surgically, very carefully fill in the paint and do the same with a clearcoat substance, and then lightly buff.  I am quite hand and a very detailed person.  It just seems to me I could do this if there was a good product available.  I would like you advice.
Thank you.

Answer
Two answers.  
One - there are mobile touchup businesses that do just what you want done.  For less than probably 80 bucks they will do a professional job on touching up the scratch. Look up mobile paint touchup in your area, call a major used car dealer, or call a reputable detail shop and you chould be able to connect with someone that could do it.  Let them know what you expect and you'll get it.  

Two - if you got the factory touchup paint from the dealer, got a very small fine brush from a craft or art store (don't use the brush that comes with the paint - it's too big) and filled it in, then wet sanded and polished it, I think you could get it to look good.  The paint is thick enough that it will overfill the scratch.  Then take some wet 2000 grit paper after the paint is dry,wrap it around a small block - anything small and square - and carefull sand the area flat.  This assumes you have some sort of buffer and compound to buff out the sand marks because it will look flat and ruined.  Then you'd put some fine to medium cut cleaner compound on it and poish it smooth.  Follow with a polish wax.  Practice laying a very fine line of paint on something first.  Also wet sand an inconspicous area area and polish it out to make sure you have the right stuff to do it.
Hope that helps,
Notto