Can Car Scratches Be Repaired by Yourself?
4 Answers
Yes, car scratches can be repaired by yourself as follows: Touch-up Paint Pen: If the rust is not severe, you can first use very fine sandpaper dipped in water to gently sand away the rust spots. However, avoid sanding randomly without direction; sand in straight lines in the same direction. After completely cleaning it, apply a layer of primer. For new scratches, you can clean them and directly apply the primer. Then, if the vehicle comes with a small can of original factory paint, you can wait for the primer to dry, sand it smooth with water sandpaper, and apply the original factory paint over the primer. Applying Toothpaste Can Temporarily Prevent Rust: Another method is to use ordinary toothpaste. When you find new small scratches on the car body, gently apply the toothpaste in a circular motion over the scratch. After rain or washing the car, don't forget to reapply. This can generally reduce the visibility of the scratch and also simply act as a barrier to prevent rust in the short term.
It definitely depends on the severity of the scratch. I've seen many friends handle car body scratches themselves, and in fact, superficial scratches can be completely DIY repaired. For example, when a door gets scratched by a branch and only the clear coat is damaged, a touch-up pen can solve the problem. Remember to clean the scratched area first, lightly sand it with a polishing compound, and then apply a small amount of touch-up paint to fill the scratch. Last time, my neighbor had a small scratch on the rearview mirror, bought a touch-up pen that matched the paint color for twenty bucks, and fixed it in half an hour—now you can't even see the mark. However, if the primer or metal layer is exposed, it's better to seek professional help, otherwise, it might rust over time.
DIY scratch repairs can save a significant amount of money, but be prepared for potentially compromised results. For minor scratches on plastic bumpers, emergency touch-up kits available online for just tens of RMB can suffice. Last month, when my car's rear light area got scraped by an e-bike, I purchased a kit containing polishing sponges and gloss enhancer. Following tutorial videos step by step: first removing grease, then applying primer, and finally spraying color paint. Although slight color difference is noticeable up close, it's completely invisible from one meter away. However, if the scratch exceeds the size of two fingernails or reaches the primer layer, it's advisable to visit a repair shop for a more worry-free solution.
Before proceeding with repairs, it's essential to assess the extent of the damage. If only the clear coat is affected, vigorously rubbing the area several times with toothpaste and a dry towel can help fade the marks. However, if the metal surface reveals the gray primer beneath, don't hesitate—this requires a full repaint. I've personally dealt with door scratches by first smoothing out rough edges with fine sandpaper, then applying matching filler to the dent. After it dried, I carefully sanded it to a smooth finish. The most crucial step is accurately matching the paint color code, which can typically be found on the fuel filler flap or B-pillar label. Be aware that repaired areas may have reduced corrosion resistance.
