How to Determine if a Vehicle's Primer is Exposed?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if a vehicle's primer is exposed: The owner can gently touch the scratch with their fingers. If they can feel obvious unevenness or roughness, it indicates that the vehicle's primer is exposed. If the scratch is not very noticeable and the primer is not exposed, using a polishing wheel along with a polishing enhancer can remove the oxidation layer attached to the car's surface, smooth out minor scratches, and allow the chemical to penetrate the paint for restoration effects, thereby removing light scratches and refreshing the paint surface. If the scratch on the car body has already exposed the primer, localized touch-up painting is required. For large-area touch-ups, the entire original factory paint on the door must be sanded off before repainting. Owners can visit a touch-up center that offers quick scratch repair services for such touch-ups.
I usually determine if the car's primer is exposed by visually inspecting and touching the surface. If you notice white or gray areas showing through, looking uneven compared to the original paint color, it might indicate exposed primer. Generally, when the car paint is scratched deeply, it reveals the underlying layer called the primer. After each car wash, I carefully inspect edges and bumpers since these areas are most prone to scratches. I also feel the surface—if it's rough or has small pits, the paint might be damaged. If exposed primer isn't treated promptly, rainwater or moisture can seep in, leading to rust over time and ruining the car's appearance. I recommend regular comprehensive inspections to prevent small issues from escalating—paint maintenance is truly important.
