It's no secret, car paint scratches easily. A bag set upon the trunk, keys bumping against the door, a shopping car running into the side … you name it, and it probably causes paint damage. While you may think removing every day scratches is meant for professionals only, think again! Sure, you can take your car to a professional for touch-ups, but in a time where sites like Pinterest are favored by many, there's never been a better time to DIY.
To remove a scratch from your car, here's what you'll need.
- 3,000 grit sandpaper
- microfiber towel
- polishing compound
- polishing pads
- dual action (DA) polisher unit
There are many types of scratches your car may endure. Here are a few to know, along with the steps on how to remove them.
Clear-Coat Scratch: Clear-coat scratches are minor scratches that do not go through the clear coat into your car's paint color. These types of scratches can typically be polished out with a polishing compound.
- Clean the scratch and the area surrounding it to remove any dirt.
- Apply a small amount of polishing compound to a polishing pad.
- Polish a small area at a time. After many strokes, use a clean, microfiber cloth to buff the area dry.
- Check your progress often to see if the scratch is still visible. If necessary, repeat steps two and three. Be sure to sand slowly to avoid sanding through your car's exterior clear-paint coat.
Base-Coat/Primer Scratch: If the scratch you are trying to remove goes beneath the base-coat paint color, or primer, this is considered a base-coat/primer scratch. For these types of scratches, you will need to get matching paint.
- Clean the scratch and the surrounding area to remove any oils or wax.
- Carefully apply primer or color to the scratch. This will leave you with paint overlapping the scratch. While you want to minimize any over-lapping, it's okay if some does occur.
- Let paint cure overnight, or longer.
- Using a sponge or rubber block covered with 600- or 1000-grit wet-or-dry sandpaper until the surface of the paint you applied is completely smooth. Be sure to work slowly, stopping often in order to clean the area and check your progress.
- Using a polishing compound over the sanded spot.
- Repeat previous steps if the area is not level.
- Don't wax your car for 30 days to ensure your work stays put.
For more car tips, visit our dealership in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
