A Direct Line survey recently found that 52% of all reported car damage is caused by keying or scratches to the car's paint job. Studies also report that depending on the extent of the damage, repairing a scratch on your car varies in cost. Scratches on car paint are classified as follows: 1A, 1B, 2, 3, and 4, with Level 1A being least severe and Level 4 being most severe.
Learning to use a car touch up paint kit properly can be economical, and here are five professional tips from ScratchWizard to guide you.
1. Safety First.
Before you start, read all of the directions for using the paint touch up kit and be sure you take every recommended safety precaution, such as wearing gloves.
2. Prepare the Area Being Touched up.
Take your time in choosing the proper paint shade and type for your vehicle and the size and depth of the scratch you're covering. Test it on another metal surface before use.
Prepare the area properly before you use the paint touch up kit. Clean the area thoroughly with soap, or use wax and some grease remover. Remove any rust on the area by using 220 grit sandpaper or a small wire brush. Finish by applying Rust Away. Apply thin primer coats and allow them to dry for a minimum of 20 minutes. You can also let this dry overnight.
3. Apply the Touch up Paint.
Start by applying several thin base coats of your touch up paint, until the level of the repaired area matches the level of the surrounding area. Allow this to dry for 20 minutes minimum, or you can let it dry overnight.
4. Apply the Clear Coat.
You'll apply thin layers of your clear coat, making sure to let it dry for 10 to 20 minutes between each coat. Clear coat acts as a solvent and applying pressure removes the base coat, so do this very carefully, with a floating motion. Wait a minimum of three days to perform the next step of rubbing the area out.
5. Rub the Area Out.
Apply the rubbing compound (also called cutting creme) to the area that was touched up with the paint touch up kit until it looks shiny and smooth. Be sure to wait a minimum of 30 days before you wax your car.
Even if you've never used vehicle touch up paint, using these professional tips to protect yourself, prepare the area, apply the touch up paint and clear coat, and shine the area up gives you the attractive results you're looking for.
