Can touch-up paint be used for car scratch repair?
2 Answers
If the car's paint surface is scratched, it is not advisable to use spray paint for repair. After the paint surface is damaged, it must be repaired at a professional institution or a 4S shop. The car's body paint surface is quite complex, consisting of four layers from the inside out: the electrophoretic layer, the intermediate coat, the color coat, and the clear coat. Below is relevant information about the car body paint surface: Main function of the electrophoretic layer: Rust prevention. After the entire car body is assembled, it is immersed in an electrophoretic tank, forming an electrophoretic layer on the entire surface of the car body. Above the electrophoretic layer: The intermediate coat, whose main function is also rust prevention, and it enhances the bonding ability with the next layer of the car body paint. Above the intermediate coat: The color coat, which primarily serves an aesthetic purpose. Above the color coat: The clear coat, which mainly protects the color coat and enhances the glossiness of the car body paint surface.
Last time my car got scratched by a branch, I tried using touch-up paint. This stuff works for small scratches and is pretty straightforward to use – just wash the car, sand the area clean, and spray it on; takes just minutes. But honestly, the results aren’t ideal. The color mismatch is the biggest headache, especially with metallic paint, which looks really obvious in sunlight. The repaired spot also doesn’t feel as smooth as the factory paint, and after a few months parked outside, it tends to crack. I touched up a corner of the bumper, and by the next year’s car wash, the edges were already peeling. It’s okay for saving money in a pinch, but for larger scratches or visible areas, professional touch-up is the way to go—they have paint booths and better color matching, plus it lasts longer. For light scratches, a simple polish will do the trick; no need for paint.
