Is Painting Necessary When the Car's Primer is Exposed?
2 Answers
If the metal panel is not exposed, painting may not be necessary, but if the metal panel of the car body is exposed, painting is required. The following are the treatment methods for metal panel scratches of varying degrees: Minor Scratches: Minor scratches such as swirl marks only damage the surface layer of the paint. These scratches cause minimal damage to the paint and are relatively easy to repair, often solvable through waxing. You can start by using scratch remover wax, applying it with a waxing sponge to polish the scratched area, moving in a consistent clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Then, use a gloss-enhancing wax to make the painted surface appear shinier. Deep Scratches: If the scratch on the car body directly exposes the metal panel or the scratched area is larger than a fingernail, the damage has penetrated below the primer. In such cases, immediately take the car to a 4S shop or an auto beauty shop with a paint baking facility. The paint repair technician will reapply the anti-rust primer and perform a surface paint repair. If the damaged paint is not repaired promptly, corrosive substances can gradually oxidize, leading to rust and worsening of the damaged area, resulting in greater losses.
After the car's primer is exposed, I strongly recommend getting it repainted. The exposed metal parts directly contact air and moisture, making them highly prone to rust and corrosion. This isn't just an appearance issue—rust spreading can damage the vehicle's structure and increase future repair costs. Having driven for over a decade, I once used a small touch-up pen for minor scratches, only for rust spots to spread across the entire door, costing a fortune to fix later. For small areas, professional spot painting at a repair shop is efficient and aesthetically pleasing. After rain, washing the car promptly to keep the surface dry can also delay the problem. But in the long run, repainting is the real solution—prevention is better than cure.