What to Do When Car Paint Gets Scratched Off?
3 Answers
Methods to deal with scratched-off car paint: 1. A touch-up pen can handle minor scratches. If the rust is not severe, you can first use very fine sandpaper dipped in water to gently remove the rust spots, sanding in straight lines in the same direction. After completely cleaning it, apply a layer of primer; 2. Applying toothpaste can temporarily prevent rust. Simply gently apply toothpaste in a circular motion over the scratched area. The main components of car paint are resins, which have relatively large molecular gaps. After coating, small molecular elements such as silicon, silicon dioxide, and nano-inorganic silicon in the coating solution can fully penetrate into the gaps and micropores of the car paint molecules, forming a transparent crystalline coating layer on its surface, similar to a phone screen protector.
The other day, I parked my car by the roadside and scraped against a pillar while turning, leaving a large patch of paint peeled off. I panicked and instinctively rubbed it with my hand, only to make it worse. Later, I learned that for such minor scratches, it's best not to panic. First, carefully inspect the damage: gently clean the scraped area to see if the primer is exposed. If metal is visible, rust prevention is necessary to avoid water ingress and corrosion. For small scratches, I bought a touch-up paint pen—just spend a few dozen bucks to fix it myself: wash, dry, lightly sand smooth with sandpaper, apply the paint, and wait a few days for it to scab over. When parking, try to avoid tight corners or areas with dense branches; developing this habit can prevent most accidents, saving money and protecting the car. For large areas of paint loss, it's better to drive directly to a repair shop for a spray paint fix—don’t hesitate like I did and waste time.
When I notice paint scratches, I first assess the severity: If it's just a superficial scratch that hasn't reached the primer, DIY repair is cost-effective. After cleaning the area with a soft cloth, I purchase a touch-up pen or sticker from an auto parts store—application is straightforward (just evenly cover the gap with paint) and provides good rust prevention. For deep wounds exposing metal, I immediately seek professional help to prevent rainwater from accelerating corrosion of the chassis structure. During regular car washes, I inspect the body and apply wax coatings to reduce friction risks. Addressing such minor issues promptly maintains driving safety without causing undue psychological stress.
