Scratched cars, parking lots and summer time seem to all go together that’s why we need a paint protection. After carefully washing and polishing your car come one weekend afternoon are you out on the prowl for touch up paint for cars and trucks. Or is a case looking for a match for touch up car paint to repair scuffs, remove auto scratches or perhaps even worse – for plastic bumper repairs.
Yet the simple fact of it is – it’s downright expensive to repair or fix a scratched automobile paint finish. Just how can you fix a scratched car yourself?
For the most part you may well get off easily if you are handy , through and a little bit artistic that is if the damage to the paint surface – the car , truck or SUV’s finish can be assessed overall at a light or medium level paint scratch.
Firstly as with any paint or repair job you will have to thoroughly and carefully “prepare the surface. In the auto body trades it is usually done by cleaning the area or areas with simple soap and water. Next dry it completely with a clean soft cloth or clothes. Do not use a hair dryer or heat gun to dry the surfaces faster. Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners if heavy dirt or grime still overlays parts of the affected or adjacent areas.
Next in line – that is if the scratch was to be repaired with auto body professionals would be to sand down and reduce the scratched areas.
Spray water on the desired area with a spray gun gentle spray setting – attached to a standard garden hose outlet. Next while wet gently sand the affected areas with a 3000 grit very fine abrasive type sanding paper. Sand gently, very gently (less and less pressure applied is best).
It’s a matter of good old fashioned elbow grease.
Don’t risk temptation and danger by going it the easy way out with power tools – even if set to minimal action and sanding pressures.
While over while you cautiously sand away with light to medium pressure overall be reassured if light foam appears while you work away with ease and care. The light foam is simply an indicator and indication that the abrasive from the light sandpaper is reducing your scratched area or scratches.
Next step, or along with this sequence is to wipe the sanded area or areas to ensure that the scratch has actually been removed or is on the road there. You will be left with a rather dull area cosmetically. Be reassured again that everything is fine and you are on the correct path.
Late steps in the process will restore the overall gloss and luster.
As part of your materials preparation steps you should have acquired or purchased from rubbing compound from an automotive supply or big box automotive store. Take an amount the size of a quarter coin of this rubbing compound, place onto a commercial “compound pad”. Continue your buffing until the clear coat’s shine is “partially” restored. Work next to fully wipe off (with care and no pressure), with a clean dry cloth, before the next step proceeds.
Finish the paint scratch repair process polish and shine. Place onto a simple standard “polishing pad” a quarter sized amount of commercial “scratch remover“. Invest in a well known and trusted brand. Its poor and false economy otherwise. Polish the area that you have worked on carefully, that is until the paint surface shine is fully and completely restored to blend in with its surroundings.
Lastly after admiring your hand-i-work .you may wish for added protection to apply a good high quality automotive wax on either the effected area or better yet the whole vehicle.