How to Repair Automotive Paint Scratches
It is irritating to get a scratch in the paint on your car, but not all scratches are alike. Some only penetrate the clear coat, while others go through the color and primer down to the steel. Sometimes it looks like a scratch, but it turns out to be a mark where paint from something else rubs off onto your car. Fixing some of these scratches is easier than others, but you can fix any of them with the right techniques and equipment.
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Things You'll Need
- Detergent
- Shoe polish
- Whiteout
- Fine-grain sandpaper
- Soft brush
- Rubbing compound
- Washcloth
- Towel
- Polishing wheel
- Car wax
Instructions
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1
Determine if the scratch is a scratch or a mark. Scrape your fingernail at a 90-degree angle across the mark to see if it is above the paint or digs into it. If it is over the paint, you can rub it with your hand or polish it off with a polishing compound. If it digs into the paint, move on to Step 2.
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2
Wash the scratched area with detergent and water. Let it dry completely. Apply shoe polish to the scratch or whiteout, so you can sand the area without going through all of the levels.
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3
Sand the scratched area with wet, fine-grain sandpaper until the shoe polish or whiteout is completely gone. Use a soft brush to remove the sanded particles.
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4
Buff the scratched area with a rubbing compound and a washcloth. Wipe the haze from buffing away with a towel. Wash the area with water again.
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5
Polish the area with a polishing wheel and compound. Wipe the area down again with a hand cloth and apply a layer of car wax to bring the shine back.
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Tips & Warnings
You might need to use body compound in the scratch if it goes through to the primer coat. If so, sand it flat and apply primer to it, letting it dry overnight. Use a touch-up paint matching the color of your car, and then polish the area.
