It’s virtually impossible to avoid paintwork scratches, but with the right tools for the job, keeping your car’s bodywork in top condition shouldn’t be an overwhelming job. Our main advice is to act quickly as damaged paintwork not only lets the look down. It can also affect its value and, if left for any length of time, speed up corrosion.
Do it yourself
There’s something to be said for taking on the job yourself. There is a huge number of products on the market. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling the repair – even if you are a die-hard DIY expert adept at changing silicone hoses and tuning the engine – heed your own advice and seek professional help. Before you decide which path to go down, remember to ask yourself these questions:
Is it deep?
If a scratch is deep, it is likely that the damage will be more complex to repair. A car’s paint finish is made up of three layers. The first one is a primer that doubles up as a corrosion inhibitor. After the colour layer is a coat of lacquer. Each of these layers are made up of layers themselves, so touching up can be an arduous task. Run your finger over it to ascertain the depth and then decide whether you can fix it or if it needs more specialist help.
What do I need?
If a scratch is minor, a product like T-Cut should do the job. This typically requires removing the top layer and then requires a thorough polish to remove the scratch. If the base coat is affected, touch-up paint will need to be applied. Once your pride and joy is looking suitably stylish, think about making time to service its tubes and hosing; there is lots of useful information to be found at https://www.goodflexrubber.com.
The cleaner, the better
However you decide to repair a scratch, one of the most important things to remember is to make sure that the area is clean. Even a tiny amount of dust or dirt can damage the paintwork and will turn the whole process into a thankless task. We also recommend working on a small area at a time.
Once the scratch is repaired, allow it to dry completely, then apply a coat of wax.
