How to Fix Paint Chips or Large Scratches on a Car

Written By: Karly Ekren
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How to Fix Paint Chips or Large Scratches on a Car

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

8

Time Required

3 hours

Introduction

This guide is for people who do not have the time or money to get their car professionally painted. It is also for the people who prefer do-it-yourself repair jobs.

It is best to work in dry non-windy conditions such as in your garage or when its sunny outside with no chance of rain.

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    • Wipe down the area of the paint chip or scratch with a damp papertowel.

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    • Place tape around anything you do not want to get paint on.

    • e.g. windows, taillights/headlights, metal decals, license plates, etc.

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    • Sand down the paint chip or scratch, including the immediate surrounding area.

    • Start with a coarse grain.

    • Then move to a fine grain to remove any sharp edges.

    • Don't sand too far out around the area. The goal of using sandpaper is to reduce any edges to prevent rusting underneath the paint, and to create a surface that the primer will stick to.

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    • Wipe down the area with a dry papertowel to remove debris.

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    • Spray the primer all over the area that was sanded. Use small strokes and spray the primer around the area.

    • Wait 10 minutes or until it feels dry when touched.

    • Add another layer or two if you can still see the edge of the paint chip or scratch.

    • The goal is to fill in the scratch or chip with primer to prevent rust.

    • Let it dry for 15-20 minutes before moving to the next step.

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    • Spray on a coat of colored paint. Use small strokes and spray the paint around the area.

    • Spraying at least 6 inches (no more than 10 inches) away from the surface will prevent paint from dripping.

    • Paint drips can be removed by gently dabbing them with a dry paper towel.

    • Allow to dry.

    • Drying time takes at least 10 minutes per coat of paint.

    • Continue adding coats and drying in between until primer cannot be seen through the paint.

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    • Spray on the clear protective coat. Use small strokes and spray the clear coat around the area.

    • Allow to dry for 10 minutes or until the area feels dry when touched.

    • Add at least 3 more coats, allowing each coat to dry in between.

    • The clear coat helps prevent rust and adds a refective texture that helps the paint job blend in.

    • Remove masking tape from the car when finished.

    • If you accidentally got paint on your windows, it will come off if you scratch it with a flat razor.

Author

Karly Ekren

Member since: 14/04/20

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