Car Paint Scratch Repair
Tips from the Expert!

Life is a jungle out there, and eventually you will consider doing a car paint scratch repair yourself. Unfortunately, all car paint chips and scratches are not created equal. I know, I know...you don't want to learn something new, you simply want to wave a magic wand over your car and have all those annoying little car paint chips and scratches disappear!
If you are willing to invest a little time, I am going to teach you a thing or two that comes straight from my experience in the world of professional auto detailing. Most of you don't realize that there are solutions that exist today, that allow the "Do-it-Yourselfer" to achieve professional results when it comes to these forms of car paint repairs.

Not All Scratches are Created Equal

The first step in the process is identifying the type of scratch or chip we are dealing with; for they come in many shapes and sizes. The good news is that the majority of the car paint scratch and chips can be dramatically improved with the right tool, along with the right technique! For all of you that like to "Cliff Note" life in general, you can look over to the right column where I have a full list of resources when it comes to car paint scratches and chips.

The Finger Nail Test

Most professionals I have talked to use the same initial test of car paint scratch that I do; the finger nail test. This is the easiest way to identify the type of scratch we are dealing with. Scratch the the area in question lightly with the tip of your nail, if your nail doesn't catch any edge at all, then you are in for good news as these are the easiest forms of car paint scratches to be fixed. If you can catch the edge of a scratch with the tip of your nail, then most likely it will be beyond your ability to remove completely. Since most OE (original equipment) paint jobs today are a 2-stage paint, which means they have a base coat, followed by a clear coat, you really only have a small layer of clear coat to work with. The process of removing scratches is done by polishing away surrounding material (clear coat) with polishes that contain abrasives. Let us dissect the different forms of car paint scratch and chips.

Surface Marks

These types of marks are not actual scratches at all, and represent the easiest form of paint damage to repair. Surface marks can be a result of almost anything that has made contact with your car paint and left some form of mark on the surface. Often, materials such as plastics and rubbers can leave "skid marks" on the surface of your car paint. The following list starts with the easiest and most available solutions, and moves down to solutions for more difficult mark removal.

• Rubbing alcohol.
• Any form of cleaner wax.
• Car polish with some form of abrasives; or, 3M scratch remover in right column.

Work your way down this list based on what you have available around the house. If you don't have access to any, shop any of the products from the column at the right.

Car Paint Scratch

If you have tested the scratch with a fingernail and do not catch an edge, but none of the products from above are working, your next step would be the wet sanding kit (color sanding). This is a more aggressive form of scratch repair. By starting with actual sand paper, you will literally sand away the area that contains the scratch, by sanding until the scratch has disappeared. Then you follow up by polishing away your sanding marks with abrasive containing polishes. If the scratch is no deeper than the clear coat itself, then you can sand and polish until the scratch has been removed. Since the clear coat is relatively thin, we use the finger nail test as a safe indicator as to the depth of a scratch. If you are inexperienced, I am sure this all sounds a little scary, but with the kits suggested, you can produce some great results that will enhance the overall look and value of your car.

You Fail the Finger Tip Test

In the event you have a car paint scratch that has failed the finger nail test; meaning, you can catch an edge of the scratch with your fingernail, you are more limited on your options. I am often asked if car touch up paint works; and the answer to that is yes, on the right scratch, and with limited results. You will always be able to see the repaired area if you look hard enough, but if we accept this fact, we then won't have unrealistic expectations. If the scratch is substantial, and is not the ultra thin, hairline type, then I would recommend the Dr. Colorchip solution. This is a great kit for paint chips and scratches where there is room for touch up paint to actually fill in; hairline scratches do not meet this requirement, and if you are dealing with a hairline scratch, I would go with either one of the polishes, or the wet sanding kit at the right.

Process of Elimination

For the truly inexperienced, this can seem overwhelming at first; I will try to recap and simplify at the same time for your own car paint scratch repair:

Car Paint Chips

• Actual chip to paint which you can grab with your fingernail tip.
• Generally occurs on front facing areas of car.
• Also common behind wheels/tires on lower sections of car.
• Good method is brush tip or pen tip car touch-up paint application.
• Best method is Dr. Colorchip as shown in column to right.

Car Paint Surface Marks

Typically left from softer materials like plastics and rubbers such as shopping carts, car bumpers, blown tire skins on road ways, etc.

• Rubbing alcohol is usually a quick remedy.
• Car wax with added chemical or abrasive cleaners.
• Car polish with abrasives in it.
• Typically there will be additional marks or scratches underneath.
• Use product like the 3M in right column to remove underlying scratches.

Hairline Paint Scratches

For the ultra fine, hairline scratches where touch-up paint of any kind could not possibly fill due to lack of any "room" within scratch.

• Use wet sand kit from Langka to sand and polish away.
• Use wet sand kit to diminish scratch and make less noticeable.

Deep or Wide Paint Scratches

These kind of scratches are the most severe; meaning deep and wide. Visible room to be filled with some form of touch-up paint.

• Use one of the car paint touch-up kits to the right.
• Dr. Colorchip or Langka
• I prefer the Dr. Colorchip myself.