How to Deal with Scratches That Reach the Primer?
2 Answers
Methods to deal with scratches that reach the primer: 1. Fine hairline scratches: Dust and sand particles in the air during high-speed driving can cause fine hairline scratches on the car's paint surface. These can be easily removed using wax containing fine cutting abrasives. 2. Light scratches: Gently dragging a key across the car body will leave a noticeable mark, damaging the transparent layer of the paint. Such light scratches can be repaired using fine abrasive wax. 3. Moderate scratches: These penetrate the clear coat and color coat but do not reach the primer layer. Such scratches are usually caused by sharp objects. Apply a deep abrasive compound to the scratch, and through the friction between the polishing pad and the paint surface, heat is generated. The abrasive softens the paint around the moderate scratch and fills the scratch with the cut paint. 4. Deep scratches: These penetrate the clear coat, color coat, and primer, exposing the inner surface of the car body. Such scratches can only be resolved by repainting.
Here’s how I dealt with the scratched-off primer on my car’s rear last time: First, thoroughly rinse the scratch with neutral car shampoo to ensure no sand particles remain, then dry it with a hair dryer. Exposed metal areas should be temporarily covered with nail polish or a dedicated automotive anti-rust pen to prevent rust from spreading. For small scratches, you can buy a touch-up paint kit online and follow the tutorial to sand-fill putty-spray primer-apply topcoat. However, DIY spraying may result in color mismatch, especially with pearl finishes. I recommend practicing on a scrap piece of metal first, maintaining a 20 cm spraying distance with steady movement. If the scratch area exceeds palm size, skip the hassle and go straight to a professional paint shop—they use spectrophotometers for color matching and finish with high-temperature curing in a spray booth for the best results. Avoid washing the car for at least a week after repair, then regularly wax the new paint for protection.
