Auto Paint Jobs

How to Fix Minor Scratches in Your Car Body's Paint Finish

11 June 2020

Gavin Lawson

As the name says, car body restoration is a car repair job performed to bring the body of a car back to its original shape and appearance. Depending on your motivation for renewing the bodywork, the job can be a full restoration or strictly some minor bodywork. The more work you plan on getting done, the more likely it is that your car will require professional attention.

If your ride is only a little scratched, there's no reason you shouldn't try to fix the problem yourself. All you have to do is to get some education, gather the right tools and supplies, and have some time on your hands.

Here's the ultimate DIY repair guide for fixing minor car scratches.

When to DIY

No matter how deep or shallow, scratches are a blot on your automobile's paint finish. Deep paint scratches require professional attention because they can cause rust problems if not repaired properly. 

These scratches penetrate the clear coat down to the metal and won't disappear completely with store-bought restoration products or DIY scratch repair kits. You may need to take more robust measures such as making a visit to the auto body repair shop to get the entire panel repainted or replaced.

As for shallow scratches, which don't go deeper than the clear coat layer, touch-up paint can be used to easily fix the damage.

Procedure for Fixing Minor Car Scratches 

First, you'll need to clean the scratch with soap and water. You can use a few gentle wipes of a lint-free cloth wetted in denatured alcohol to finish cleaning the area. 

Allow the area to dry properly, and then use a piece of fine sandpaper to smooth it out. Once you don't see the scratch anymore, apply a little amount of rubbing compound at a time and spread it evenly over the entire length of the scratch.

Apply at least three base coats of paint, letting each coat dry properly before applying the next coat. Once the basecoat is completely dry, finish up by applying the clear coat. 

While not so serious that they can affect the performance of your car, scratches are an eyesore that you'll want fixed as quickly as possible. With the above-outlined instructions, you should be able to get a decent job done even if you have no previous body repair experience. When it comes to a major or complete body restoration, you should leave the job to a car body restoration shop.

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