How to Repair Car Paint by Yourself?

[DiArcher]

First, assess the extent of the paint scratch. Then, apply filler to the scratched area. Next, spray the scratched area with touch-up paint. Finally, the paint scratch repair is completed.

[VanMila]

I often tinker with my car and have done touch-up painting many times. First, clean the scratched area with water and dish soap to ensure there's no dust or grease, otherwise the paint won't adhere. After wiping it dry with a damp cloth, use 400-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface. Once it's evenly sanded, switch to 2000-grit fine sandpaper to smooth it out. Buy a touch-up spray can or pen that matches your car model, making sure the color code is correct—you can test it on a small hidden area first. When spraying, maintain a distance of 20 cm and apply thin layers, taking your time. Let each layer dry for over 10 minutes before applying the next. After spraying, let it cure for half a day, then lightly sand the edges with ultra-fine sandpaper to blend the new and old paint naturally. Finally, polish and protect the new paint with car wax. The whole process is safest in a well-ventilated garage and can save a lot on repair costs, making it ideal for those with strong DIY skills. The key is patience—the results are better than you'd expect.

[CarsonRose]

Getting started with DIY touch-up painting can indeed feel a bit overwhelming at first. I began by learning from that small scratch. Use a soft-bristle brush to clean the damaged area, ensuring there's no grease. Choose a matching touch-up paint pen, checking the manual for the color code. Gently sand the scratched area with fine-grit sandpaper like 1500 grit—don't scrub too hard to avoid damaging the original paint. Apply the paint with the brush tip in thin layers, waiting over 10 minutes for each coat to dry before adding another. Two or three coats should cover it completely. Wear gloves during the process, and working outdoors in a well-ventilated area is better. After finishing, let it sit for a day—if it feels rough, lightly sand it smooth again. Though my technique was clumsy at first, it's quite practical, costing just a few dozen yuan for tools. I recommend starting with small areas to build experience; handling larger scratches becomes much easier afterward.

[SebastianMarie]

To save costs, I've handled a few touch-up paint jobs with basic tools. Clean the scratches with household detergent mixed with water, scrub, then dry and use a $1.20 set of 400-2000 grit sandpaper to sand. A $1.50 touch-up pen is sufficient, just make sure the color matches the car's paint code. Apply the paint and let it dry for half an hour, then polish with a soft cloth to save on professional wax. The key is to work in a cool, ventilated area—avoid high temperatures or rainy days. The whole process is no-frills; the results aren't perfect but good enough, saving hundreds compared to a shop. DIY is best for temporary fixes on minor damage—time is money, and being careful avoids rework.