Scratches in car paint are not only annoying but are almost inevitable in daily life. Whether you drive too close to a bush by the roadside or park in a cramped spot in an underground car park, you may end up with paint damage. The good news is that you can usually fix minor damages and even some deeper scratches yourself, without needing to consult an expensive specialist or visit a workshop. It’s particularly worthwhile for older vehicles. Here, you’ll find practical tips and straightforward instructions on how to remove car scratches and repair paint damage by yourself.
What damages car paint? Car paint is sensitive to many environmental factors, both mechanical and chemical, that can cause harm. Vehicle paint comprises four ultra-thin layers, so it’s hardly surprising that it can get scratched easily.
Prevention is always the best approach. Here are the most common causes of car paint damage, most of which can be avoided with a little care in daily life or by taking protective measures:
Mechanical damage to paint often occurs from:
- Rock chips or gravel
- Branches and twigs
- Car keys
- Fingernails and animal claws
- Rings and watches
- Buckles on handbags and belts
- Metal buttons on trousers and jackets
- Stones under shoes when entering the vehicle
Chemical damage to paint often results from:
- Tree sap and pollen
- Insect and bird droppings
- Road salt
- Hand cream
- Sunscreen
1.Wash and clean the area of paint damage thoroughly
You can use a high-pressure cleaner to first get rid of any coarse dirt. Soak any additional dirt with foamed car shampoo. Do not touch the paint, but press a soaked sponge over it. Rinse off the softened dirt with the hose. You can then carefully clean the paint using a sponge and plenty of shampoo water in circular movements.
2.Dry and degrease the damaged area.
Allow the paint to air dry or help with a fine microfiber cloth. Then remove wax and polishing residues with a silicone remover.
3.Apply the varnish
Put a few drops of the touch-up pen onto the included rubber spatula and drag the spatula over the damaged area so that the varnish covers it very thinly. Allow the paint to dry. Then briefly apply the liquid paint repair with a polishing cloth. This is how you remove the excess colored varnish, among other things.
4.Polish the area with car polish
The polish removes fine mechanical marks and haze. Always only work on small areas of paint, as dried polish can only be distributed with higher pressure. However, this could unnecessarily scratch or even remove the fine new layer of paint.
5.Finish: Seal the paint
Sealing with wax polish gives the car paint a new shine and also has a water-repellent effect. This means no moisture can penetrate and water simply rolls off the paint. Simply apply the wax polish, which is available as a spray, and polish it with a high-quality microfiber cloth without applying pressure.
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