How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car

  • February 28, 2009
  • 20,612 Views
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Fix those little scratches before they become big rust marks.

You Will Need

  • Your car’s VIN number
  • Car-wash liquid
  • Clean cotton cloth
  • 1,500- to 2,000-grit sandpaper
  • A small paintbrush
  • Primer
  • Touch-up paint
How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Match paint to VIN

Step 1: Match paint to VIN

Write down your car’s VIN number (located on your car’s registration and your car’s title) and take it to an auto shop so they can locate the precise paint color to match your vehicle.

How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Get primer

Step 2: Get primer

Ask the salesperson if your car’s paint is enamel-based and, if so, what kind of primer to use.

Buy paint in a spray can for easier application.

How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Wash and dry

Step 3: Wash and dry

Wash the scratched area with car-wash liquid and dry with a clean cotton cloth.

How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Sand scratch

Step 4: Sand scratch

Sand the area with very fine sandpaper.

How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Brush away sanding dust

Step 5: Brush away sanding dust

Brush away the sanding dust with a small, soft paintbrush.

How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Re-sand

Step 6: Re-sand

Re-sand to smooth out any bumps.

How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Spray primer

Step 7: Spray primer

Spray primer onto the scratch and allow it to dry overnight.

How To Fix a Scratch on Your Car: Spray paint

Step 8: Spray paint

Spray the area with touch-up paint or use the small paintbrush to apply a small amount of paint. Let it dry. If only all car repairs could be so easy!

From March to April 2008, a Vancouver man went on a car-keying spree, allegedly causing over a half million dollars worth of damage to about 1,000 cars.

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Comments (5)

EricBoone

The info is great, but the guy is doing some sort of valley parking.Over night is to long he needs a quick fix.The footage don't match the time it takes to repair the scratch.

over 2 years ago by EricBoone

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silvasapho

I agrig. Footage don't match th time it take. Maybe if valley parking guy is magic or something this make sense. Or maybe nor.

over 2 years ago by silvasapho

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snarF69

na. when it go up t gy it shamppin to guff. valley plown ith chulrmurs; look 1:24. thas choink't up, sniggs

over 2 years ago by snarF69

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bagamot

Learn to spell you you illiterate monkey!

about 1 year ago by bagamot

Reply
jdmj22

il subscibe and i got a question..how do you survive a car/van/truck upside down in 29 seconds?

over 2 years ago by jdmj22

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Video is in Cars & Transportation (90 videos)