The right way to paint scratches on a car with your own hands

Covering the vehicle provides not only a presentable appearance, but also additional protection. But, like other materials, the paintwork surface has a limited operational period. Under the influence of loads, minor damage gradually appears on it. Therefore, it will be useful for car owners to know how to paint over a scratch on a damaged car with their own hands.

No matter how careful the driver is, scratches on the car will still appear. Damage of this type is divided into several groups depending on a number of signs:

• small scratches of the first level that damaged the paintwork;
• medium second level scratches that damaged the top coat and primer;
• deep scratches of the third level, damaging all layers of the coating, including metal.

Special tools are used to paint scratches on a car. But in order to understand which device is needed to restore the surface, it is necessary to determine the type of scratch.

Damage repair methods are also of several types:

• point;
• polishing;
• using a brush;
• using a spray can of paint;
• with a complete overhaul.

In most cases, labor-intensive efforts are not required to repair a scratch. To do this, it is not necessary to contact the service center - you can paint over the scratch on the damaged area yourself.

Spot painting

Spot painting is also known as retouching. This method involves several ways to restore the surface of the car, depending on the damage rate.

Most often, this type of painting is used to eliminate first-level scratches that have damaged the paintwork. When performing spot painting, the places of scratches are determined, after which painting is carried out. The task is performed independently using markers.

If the coating has second-level scratches that have damaged the paintwork and primer, local action agents are applied. These include a polymer pencil-chalk and a brush with paint. It is recommended to apply paint in several layers.

You can only paint scratches in cleaned and dried areas. Wait for the surface to dry before applying the next coat of paint.

Polishing

If there are scratches, painting is not always required. In some cases polishing is sufficient. This method is only suitable if you need to eliminate shallow scratches. To determine their presence, it is necessary to wet the surface and wait until it dries. After that, the scratches will show themselves.

You can remove the scratch by polishing it yourself, or at a car wash. It requires a special wax paste. The substance fills the scratch, causing it to disappear. But keep in mind that polishing provides a temporary effect. Therefore, in order to maintain the paintwork in a new condition, it is necessary to repeat this action periodically.

Professional polishing is different from ordinary polishing. During its implementation, the coating is removed in the area with a scratch, after which the surface is restored. This procedure does not need to be repeated. But when doing it yourself, you may encounter additional problems.

Paints with brushes

Painting scratches with brushes is used to repair damage that has caused serious damage to the coating. This method allows you to restore the coating from scratches, the depth of which reaches the metal.

To complete the task, a special paint is used, which includes fiberglass. Once applied, this component provides additional protection. In addition to this feature, the substance has a number of other advantages:

• ease of use - the scratch is painted over with brushes, after which it remains to wait until the surface dries;
• the presence of a catalog of automotive colors - thanks to this, you do not need to worry about finding the right color;
• high drying speed - no need to wait long to use the vehicle again.

The paint is also applied using a special thin brush. It allows you to eliminate narrow scratches that appear as a result of physical damage.

Before applying paint, the surface must be cleaned of grease.

Paint can

Painting car scratches in this way is done with minimal effort. But using this method it is difficult to repair large damage. To carry out the task, special spray cans are used, which are sold in car dealerships. Outwardly, they resemble probes.

Spray cans work like aerosols. It is necessary to find a scratch and spray paint on it with a can. Painted damage dries in a short period. To select the desired color, there is a catalog of automotive colors.

repair kit

Repair kit - a set of devices for removing scratches with your own hands. It includes a minimum list of equipment with which you can cover up damage to the coating of the machine. The repair kit consists of:

• pencil
• varnish;
• special spray applicator.

Some kits are supplemented with a polishing agent that can be applied to the surface using a cloth or microfiber. The characteristics of the paint match the factory counterpart, so the colors match, and you can cover up the doors, bodywork, and other components with a pencil. The advantage of the application is to quickly and cheaply restore the coating.

There are different types of repair kits on the Russian market. Sometimes the pencil in the set is replaced by a bottle with a brush. These sets usually cost more.

The repair kit is designed for multiple use. With it, you can cover up damage immediately after it occurs. Periodically touching up scratches, even old cars are maintained in a new condition.

Painting parts

The body painting procedure is carried out in several stages. Surface must be cleaned prior to painting. Cleaning involves removing the auto element from the surface:

• pollution;
• fat.

Sandpaper is required for cleaning. With its help, parts of the machine are processed, after which you can proceed to the next stage. For uniform application of paint, it is necessary to clean the damage and the surface around it.

What is required for painting work

To fully paint a scratch, in addition to sandpaper, you will need a set of tools. The list consists of:

• grinding bar;
• spatula;
• acrylic putty for cars;
• primers;
• paints;
• varnish.

A list of these components will help eliminate scratches on small and large cars. It is necessary to use special automotive paint, and not a standard building counterpart.

Puttying and plastering

The putty is applied in a two-millimeter layer after the cleaned surface. A spatula is used to apply the material. Movement should be transverse, not longitudinal. It will take thirty minutes for the putty to dry.

After puttying, the surface is polished. If the coating remains concave after sanding, not enough putty has been used. In this case, the action must be repeated until the surface is smooth. In the absence of experience in this area, you should contact the service center, otherwise you can only make things worse.

Primer

The primer can only be applied if the surface is perfectly even. The application process is complex and time consuming. First you need to clean the surface and remove grease.

The application of the material is carried out using:

• brushes;
• swab;
• atomizer.

After applying the primer with water, excess material is removed from the coating. Priming is best done with sandpaper, which provides a matte finish.

Choosing and applying paint

To choose the right paint, you need to know what color was used to cover the car. Car colors have a name and a number. It is easier to choose the right color for new models than for old ones.

If the required color is missing, the problem is solved using the online catalog. After choosing the desired color of paint, it is applied to the coating. For this task are used:

• paint in cans;
• paint in cans;
• coloring pencils.

Before painting, make sure that there are no contaminants. After the paint dries, apply the second layer. Usually it is required to apply paint up to three times.

After a certain operating period, the paint changes shade. Therefore, the new color may not match the coating. But over time, it will acquire the desired shade.

How to apply varnish

The varnish is applied only on the dried surface. It is recommended to use the substance in cans. Shake the can before applying. Then the substance is poured into the spray gun. The gun must be clean and have a pressure of up to one and a half atmospheres.

The correct application of varnish is of great importance, as it represents the final stage. The substance is applied in several layers. Each subsequent layer of varnish overlaps the previous one with a margin. After applying the last layer, it will take up to two days for the coating to dry.