How to Effectively Fix a Scratch on Your Car

Repainting your car in an auto body shop can cost you a pretty penny. If you have cosmetic imperfections on your vehicle, like a scratch on your car, there are a lot of things you can do to make the repairs yourself without breaking the bank. However, if you have some pretty significant damage, such as dents from a hail storm, then these guys will drive to YOU if you live within a 50-mile radius from their shop in Austin, which is great if you need them in a pinch. Here’s how to repair minor paint imperfections on your vehicle.

1. Figure Out How Deep The Scratch Is

Before you repair a scratch, you’ll need to figure out how deep it is. There are a few coats on your vehicle that keep the paint looking the way it does. If only the clear top coat is affected, it’s much easier to fix than a deeper scratch that hits the colored paint or metal on your car.

2. What You’ll Need

To fix your vehicle, you’ll need the following:

Buffer pads
Spray bottle
Water
Buffer
Soap
Sandpaper
Rubbing compound
Rags
Car Wax
Color-matched paint made for your vehicle

3. Weigh Out The Cost of Repair

If you don’t have any of these items, and your vehicle is heavily scratched, you may have to bite the bullet and take your vehicle in for a professional paint job, especially if you’re repainting the vehicle in order to sell it. According to Reader’s Digest: “Car dealers usually sell 1/2-oz. vials of touch-up paint and clear coat for about $8 each. But call the parts department first to see if your color is in stock. It’ll help to have your VIN handy.” One vial of paint is usually enough to repair approximately 24 small paint chips. If you need more than this, you can search for a larger bottle with the VIN number. If your vehicle is riddled with scratches, it may be worthwhile to get it repainted.

4. Fixing the scratches on your vehicle

Once you have established that the cost of a DIY repair makes sense, here are the steps you need to follow to fix the scratch:

Thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle to ensure that no debris or dust particles get caught in the paint
Apply the color if necessary
Lightly sand down the scratch on the vehicle
Apply the rubbing compound to the scratch
Polish the area
Wash and wax

Fixing minor scratches on your vehicle is relatively simple and cost-effective, especially if you’re considering selling your car. According to UCCRegina: “If you’re selling privately, obvious cosmetic damage will reduce the resale value of your vehicle. Studies have shown even cleanliness affects values, so you can bet a huge scratch will.” It’s always good to get an estimate regarding the cost of repair before you try to fix cosmetic imperfections yourself. You may find that attempting to DIY doesn’t save you all that much, and a new paint job could boost the value of your car for resale purposes. For more extensive repairs, it is probably worth looking for
professional auto body shops St George to get your car looking back to brand
new

Repairing minor damages regularly means you’ll save on a costly trip to the body shop, and that means more money in your pocket. If you’re handy with your car, you may be unnecessarily paying for repair coverage. Consider comparing car insurance quotes with others on the market to find the best price possible for your vehicle and your needs.