With the upgraded space that cars fill in our everyday lives, a simple dent or scratch emotionally and financially leave a scar for every car owner. Of course, scratches always mean car paint damage.
In such incidences, the immediate response is to send the car to an auto repair shop whose expertise is concealing the scratch. However, an auto repair shop might be the last resort. How? Like all other aspects of living, even a car scratch can now be at a Do It Your way basis.
Now if you are not convinced, here is a rundown of some DIY fixing on car paint damages. One must note nonetheless that the success of these tips depend on the availability of materials, the depth of the scratch and the age of the car.
If the scratch or dent is deep enough and complex enough to do on your own or when the car is ten to fifteen years old, then that is the time when you should really subject your car under the expert hands of auto repair shops. Regardless, there’s no harm in trying.
Fixing a Small Chip
Fixing a small, remarkable car chip comes in only three easy steps. The first thing to do is to clean the chip with detergent and water and drying it with a soft cloth right after. As soon as chipped area is dry, dab a small amount of auto-polishing compound to soften the dented areas or edges.
In small chips, a ten or a dozen compound swirls will do it. Remember that too much rubbing especially with the compound could damage the coat of the paint. Finally, to remove the wax of the compound, gently rub the area with denatured alcohol.
Scratched Primer Coat
For deeper scratches that may have peeled the car’s primer coat, you shall be undergoing four steps. First, clean the damaged area with water and soap. After which, carefully apply the primer or color overlapping the scratched paint of the damaged area (an auto scratch repair pen will be more convenient to use).
If you are not sure about your paint color, check your car manual for the paint code. Have the paint cure for at least 24 hours before rubbing it with dry sandpaper. Slowly rub the sandpaper in the surface. After that step, apply polishing compound to put back the gloss in the scratched area.
Lastly, you have to apply more paint until the damaged part is filled and leveled with the undamaged areas of the car. After every paint leveling, use the compound to keep the damaged area glossy. Just an important note, do not have your car waxed for at least a month to allow the solvents to be diluted.
Sanding the Clear Coat
This often happens when you are fixing a deep scratch and you were not able to monitor well your rub of the sandpaper. In cases like this, bottles of ordinary clear enamels will not work. You have to specifically use an automotive paint intended for especially for spot repairs.
First, clean the damaged surface and then using a piece of paper, measure and cut out the shape of the scratched area to avoid over spraying. Spray a few inches away through the cut out in the paper. If the paint sags or becomes too shiny, you’ve sprayed too much. Lastly, by using a rubber block, clear out excess paints and level them off. You may go up until two coatings but do not forget to repeat the process.
These are just some of the basic DIY scratch fixing available. Just keep in mind that even when these may look easy, you have to do them with the help of an expert. At the end of the day, it will not hurt consulting the nearest auto shop for better outcomes.