Every driver needs to know how to get scratches out of a car.
If you drive your car regularly, then dents, scratches, and chips are inevitable. Scratches can be caused by a stone flicked up by another vehicle, banging the car door in a parking lot, or even, rust breaking through the paintwork.
If scratches are left alone, they can corrode, rust and spread to other parts of the car. Because of this, it’s important to deal with scratches as soon as possible to avoid more expensive repairs further down the road.
Below are the three top secrets to answer the question: how to get scratches out of a car?
1. Cleaning Before Fixing
The first secret to getting scratches out of a car is to wash the car before doing anything else. It’s especially important to clean the damaged area. This can be done simply by using soap and water and applying with a soft cloth.
This is important because clean and tidy workspace helps to concentrate. It also removes dust and dirt that can cause abrasions to the exterior of the car.
2. Sanding the Area
The second secret is to sand the affected area. This particularly important in cases when the scratched area has already started to rust. This makes the damaged area smooth and allows the paint to be evenly applied afterward.
It should be lightly sanded using ultrafine sandpaper (2000-grit). If a more coarse sandpaper is used then it could cause further damage to the exterior of the car. Apply using small strokes in a circular motion. Occasionally wipe any bits off the area using a soft cloth.
If the scratch only covers a small area, ordinary household toothpaste can be used instead. It may sound like a joke, but toothpaste has the same abrasive qualities as sand paper and is cheaper and easier to find. The toothpaste should be applied carefully in a circular motion using a soft cloth or cotton swab.
3. Time to Apply the Paint
The third and final secret to getting scratches out of your car is to apply the paint. Bottles of touch-up car paint can be purchased from car dealers to guarantee an exact match. Paint colors have an associated code so that they can be identified.
After making sure the scratched area is clean and sanded, the paint can be applied using a brush. A toothpick is also great for very small chips.
The paint should be left to dry for a few days. After the paint has dried, a thin clear coat can be applied and the body work can be waxed.
Conclusion: How to Get Scratches Out of a Car?
The top three secrets to get scratches out of a car are clean, sand and then apply paint. Simple!
It is often easy to fix minor scratches without going to a body shop. But if the scratches are more severe, then it is advisable to leave it to a professional to avoid further damage.
For further information about car repairs and more informative blog posts on DIY auto repair, check out our most recent posts!
