Learn How To Deal With Scratches On Your Car

Let’s Learn How To Deal With Scratches On Your Car

If you’re here, you’ve probably had a run in with a rogue shopping cart or someone parked too close or a vengeful ex who happened to see your car in the parking lot while they had keys in their hand.

Don’t worry. We’ve been there and we’re here to help. It can be a little intimidating fixing those scratches by yourself. So we’re going to walk you through this step by step. First,

Determine How Deep The Scratch Is

There are different fixes based on the level of scratch you have. You can usually tell just from eyeballing the damage but if you aren’t sure, there’s a pretty simple way to find out what you need. 

Run your fingernail across the scratch. If your nail catches the scratch, it is too deep and you will need paint.

 Make sure you do this with the entire scratch. The depth may vary as it goes along.

Clean The Area With Soap and Water

So now you know whether or not you have a light scratch or a deep scratch. Hold on to that information for a spell because whatever result you got, it’s time for a cleaning. Wash the affected area with soap and water. Do not skip this step. If you don’t clean first, you could accidentally press dirt and debris particles into the scratch and paint.

 If you’re using TouchUpDirect products in your fix, you may now use the TUD Wax & Grease Remover Wipe on your vehicle. 

Once you’re done cleaning, it’s time to dry.If your scratch is in a hard to reach area, try using a hair dryer (held 12-16 inches from the paint’s surface.)

Okay. Here’s where our paths diverge. If you’ve found that your scratch is deep, please skip to the deep scratch section. If you’ve found that your scratch is shallow just keep on reading.

Light Scratch

Get yourself a polishing compound. Apply the polishing compound to a damp cloth. Rub the cloth across the scratch in a circular motion (make sure you get the whole scratch if it’s larger). Repeat this motion for a few minutes or until the scratch is gone.

Deep Scratch

If you have a gouge or a hole, touch up paint is not your first step. You will need a filler to fix that. Once you are done with the filler (or didn’t need filler at all), it’s time to move on to sandpaper!

Using sandpaper to prepare the area is optional but recommended for deeper scratches. Before painting, fold 500 grit sandpaper into thirds, and dip it in water. Make sure you stay within the damaged area and that you sand in the same direction as the scratch. Rub the area to remove debris and make the surface even. Repeat folding, wetting and rubbing with 1500 grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface for painting. Once you’re done sanding, clean the area with soap and water once again. Dry it off and you’re ready to move on to the next stage.

Primer

Only use this if the original base material (i.e. metal, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and the like) is exposed. If not, you may go straight to the basecoat. Apply 2 to 3 light coats of primer to the material you intend to paint. 

Make sure you cover all of the exposed original base material. Allow 5-10 minutes before continuing on to the next step so the primer has time to dry.

Basecoat

This is the level of paint that will match the color of your car. To make sure that you have the right color, take a test strip and apply the paint to it. 

If you’re not using the TUD test strip, a piece of thick, white paper would likely produce a similar effect.  Let the paint dry for 10 minutes and then apply another layer. After that has dried, apply a layer of clearcoat to your test and let that dry. Hold the test strip up to your vehicle to see if the color is the same. If the color matches your car, you have the right one and can proceed. 

Good! You’re ready to start painting. People tend to expect that touch up paint will be similar to house paint when it’s really closer to the texture of nail polish. Remember to shake the paint well before you start.  Apply the basecoat paint in even, consistent coats. Plan to do 2-3 light coats on the area. Once you are done applying the basecoat, wait 15-30 minutes for it to dry before you move on to the clearcoat.

Some cars might have a tricoat. This means that there is an extra coated layer in between the basecoat and the clearcoat. This layer is called the midcoat. We will tell you if your car has tricoat colors if you buy from us but if you didn’t, don’t worry. Tricoats tend to produce colors with a more vivid sheen like pearl, chameleon, and candy. 

If your car’s color is a tricoat, follow the same steps as above but add the second color over the first. Once the basecoat has been added, apply 2 to 4 coats of the midcoat. Please allow 5-10 minutes between coats for the paint to dry.

Clearcoat

Clearcoat provides a gloss or matte finish, protects the color, and (for TouchUpDirect products at least) makes sure that the paint matches your vehicle’s original factory finish. Do not skip this step. Pay careful attention to the instructions you get with your clearcoat. Apply an even coat. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the first layer to dry. Apply a second even coat. If you’re doing it right, the clearcoat will look clean and glossy when it goes on. 

If you need to, you can apply one more layer after the second has dried. Remember to wait 5 to 10 minutes between coats to give it time to dry.

Polishing and Sanding

Okay. We’re almost there. 48 hours after you have applied the clearcoat, you may apply the polishing compound. At this time, you can also wetsand if you have imperfections in the clearcoat. Apply the wax or polish to your cloth and wipe down the affected area in circular motions until shiny. If you want to wax or polish your whole car to make sure one patch isn’t shinier than the rest of the vehicle, you go right ahead. And that’s it! Congratulations! You fixed up your car’s coat all by yourself!