How to Fix Car Scratches

Getting your car scratched is certainly annoying, considering the expenses and repair work to be done. There are many people who, even with a small scratch on their car, go to the repair shop and get the scratch fixed. Such people need to understand that if the scratch is minor, they can do the repair task themselves.

If you decide to mend car scratches yourself, you can surely save on professional repair costs. However, if the car scratches are pretty severe, you then need to go to the garage to get them fixed.

Like in any other Do-It-Yourself (DIY) task, you would require certain materials and tools for fixing car scratches. These essentials include a quality car-wash solution, clean and soft cotton cloth, sandpaper, undercoat, retouch car paint, and most importantly, the car color VIN number.

The VIN number, available on the windshield, is very useful in determining which color shade is suitable on the car's surface.

If you want to get rid of car scratches, the first step you need to take is to give your car's VIN code to the paint shop dealer, who will tell you which color shade will accurately match the car's original color.

Also, confirm it with the dealer, whether your car's paint is enamel based, and if it is, ask him what kind of undercoat to use. It is suggested to choose a suitable undercoat, which can be easily overlaid by the retouch paint in just a single coat.

Now, the next step would be to wash the scratched surface with a car-wash solution to remove any dirt or wax coatings, which can affect the proper application of new paint. Sand the scratched surface with a sandpaper, for getting rid of any rust present. Wipe the surface clean and dry with the soft cotton cloth.

After cleaning the scratched surface, you need to apply the undercoat. But before applying the undercoat or primer, use a masking tape to cover the surroundings of the scratched surface which is not to be repainted. Spray the undercoat on the scratch and leave it for drying overnight.

After the undercoat dries out, you then need to spray the retouch paint. After the retouch paint dries out, the car surface would seem as it was before the scratch.

There are several determinants for finding out the approximate cost of the project, such as how big and severe the scratch is, what kind of paint is to be used, how much time the scratch has been on the surface, etc. Considering all these aspects, typical expenses can be $25 for minor scratches, to a few hundred dollars for major scratch removal projects.

In severe cases, you can also be charged around $400. The above determinants are only for a professional scratch repair job. If you want to determine DIY costs, you primarily need to take into consideration the retouch paint, which is normally available at less than $10.

The total DIY cost can go up to around $45, inclusive of all expenses of undercoat and retouch paint. Those thinking how to fix car window scratches can purchase a glass polishing set, which is generally available at about $30.

If you've got your car's surface scratched, it is recommended to take action as soon as possible, as there is a possibility of rust accumulating in the scratches, and the rust removal may substantially add up to the overall cost. For severe scratches, it is better to take your vehicle to the car repair shop. After reading these tips, I hope you'll decide to fix car scratches yourself.