You can fix bad scratches on the car yourself or pay someone to do it. If you want to try to invest a little time and attention in the operation, you can do a professional job with the help of this article.
Steps
Step 1. Purchase paint that matches your car perfectly
Check your vehicle's maintenance manual for the color production code. If you can't find it, go to your dealer or auto parts store (where you can purchase a can of touch-up paint).
Step 2. Go to an art shop and buy a small brush (size # 2 is fine)
Do not use a large brush with touch-up paint, its size is too large for precision scratch work.
Step 3. Test a hidden area of the bodywork to be sure of the paint shade
It must be perfectly identical to the original. Even if you bought the color with the same code, your car has been exposed to sunlight and weather, so the paint may have faded. You certainly don't want to be in for a nasty surprise after touching up all the scratches!
Step 4. Gently but thoroughly clean the entire scratch area
Use a washcloth, water, and mild soap. When you go to fill in the scratches, they must be perfectly clean. There should be no moisture, so dry the area thoroughly before moving on to the next step. You should perform cleaning the day before the touch-up so that the bodywork dries overnight.
Step 5. Spray degreaser on a cloth and apply it to the scratched area
This way you remove all traces of grease and wax.
Step 6. See if the paint lifts at the edges of the scratch
Use a toothpick and scroll the entire length of the incision; if the paint splinters, wipe it off.
Step 7. Smooth the scratch with sandpaper
If the scratch is small, you can make an abrasive pencil. Glue a piece of dry-wet 1200 grit sandpaper to the pencil eraser. Let the glue dry overnight before using this tool, also remember to wet the sandpaper and rotate this pencil gently over the scratch.
Step 8. Clean the part of the body to be touched up with denatured alcohol and a cotton swab of foam rubber
Step 9. If metal is visible, apply primer
Dip the tip of a toothpick in the primer, then apply it to the center of the scratch or chip, waiting for the liquid to fill the incision. Use a small amount of primer so it doesn't stick out of the edges of the scratch. Wait for it to dry for 2-3 hours.
Step 10. Apply touch-up paint with a # 2 brush
Again use a little paint at a time. Wait for the first coat to dry for 2-3 hours and repeat until you have filled the incision. Once finished, the paint in the scratch should be slightly thicker than the surrounding areas. Wait for it to dry for 24 hours.
Step 11. Use 2000 or 2500 grit sandpaper and an emery block to smooth the scratch
Step 12. Polish the area with a good product
Advice
- Remove the watch and the rings to avoid accidental scratches.
- Remember to use a 100% cotton cloth or a microfiber one. Otherwise you will scratch the paint even more.
- Perform these operations in the shade and not in direct sunlight.
