The vibrant streets and aggressive traffic of Charlton can take their toll on your car. For example, if you’ve ventured to the quiet haven that the arboretum at the north end of Spring Street can be, you’ve likely come back with the odd shirt sleeve covered in Escalade. A scrape like that takes more than a wash to disappear and often just appears as a fine scratch on the surface of your metal. Whether caused by grit, branches or wayward roadside warriors, scratches on your vehicle can be unsightly. Not only do they impact the aesthetic appearance of your vehicle, but if you intended to sell it, the scratches will cause a drop in its value. Many of these scratches can either be corrected at home or made less noticeable with a few simple new tools and techniques. The following guide to car scratch repair in Charlton will help you restore your vehicle to it’s original pristine look without having to rely on expensive professional help.
Types of Car Scratches
Identifying which kind of scratch is important to determine what type of repair is most suitable.
Car scratch is usually categorised into:
1.Paint Scratch: A paint scratch is caused by a surface in contact with a car’s body. The object bumps and scratches the skin and paint, clearing a narrow grooved line in the area it has made contact.
- Clear-coat Scratch: If the painting over the car body has not been protected, the clear coat of the color paint can peel off, resulting in a loss of color. This scratch should be honed to prevent it from tarnishing.
3.Combination Scratch: In this case there is a scratch in the clear coat as well as the color paint. Usually it is most effective to polish and extract the scratches by using a machine.
4.Deep Scratch: A deep scratch means that the whole color paint as well as the clear coat is damaged, causing a metallic glare. To prevent rust, the damaged part should be panelized.
Clear Coat Scratches: In these cases, only a thin layer called the clear coating is involved. These scratches are the simplest to repair.
Paint Scratches: These scratches penetrate through the clear coat and reach the paint layer.
Deep Scratches: These scratches extend through the paint layer to the primer or metal.
Tools and Materials Needed
To effectively repair car scratches, gather the following tools and materials:
Car wash soap
Microfiber cloths
Sandpaper (2000-3000 grit)
Rubbing compound
Polishing compound
Touch-up paint (matched to your car’s color)
Primer (for deep scratches)
Clear coat
Car wax
Step-by-Step Repair Process
Step 1: Clean the Area
Wash the scratched area with car wash soap to remove any dust and debris Before starting the repair, you need to have a perfectly clean surface to work with. Use car wash soap and a soft microfiber cloth to thoroughly wash and rinse the scratched region. Remove gravel and any other larger debris with a brush first, and then wash with soap and water.
Step 2: Sand the Scratch
Use wet 2000-3000 grit sandpaper on clear coat and paint scratches by sanding lightly in a circular motion to smooth out the scratch and blend it in with the surroundings. Be careful not to sand too deep. With deeper scratches, you might have to skip this step. Immediately apply the primer.
Step 3: Apply Rubbing Compound
Put a little on a microfiber cloth and work it into the scratched area in a small circle motion. This will help smooth the scratch and slightly flatten it to be ready for polishing. Remove any excess rubbing compound from the lenses with a clean cloth.
Step 4: Polish the Surface
Once that’s done, you can keep the repaired area looking its best by polishing the area to match the rest of your car’s finish. Rubbing and polishing compounds are available at most auto stores. After buffing with the rubbing compound, use a polishing compound to restore the shine. Use a clean microfibre cloth to polish the repaired area, buffing smaller circles over the larger ones until the repaired area becomes less obvious and matches the rest of the car’s finish.
Step 5: Apply Touch-Up Paint
For scratches that have penetrated to the primer or metal: apply an appropriate tint of touch-up paint that matches your car’s colour using a fine brush and apply it to the scratch (allow to dry according to manufacturer’s instructions; multiple, thinner layers are the best way to do it.
Step 6: Apply a Clear Coat
After the touch-up paint dries, spray the area with clear coat. Once the clear coat has dried, your repair will be relatively complete and protected from the elements – and hopefully easy to blend with the rest of your car’s finish. 3. Polish and Blend Dust the repair area again, and lightly wet it before spraying buffing product. Gently apply a firm buffing motion with a buffing sponge to blend the repair.
Step 7: Wax the Area
Finally – and this is the nicest bit – wax the repaired area for an additional protective layer and a glossy shine. Smear some car wax on the repaired bit with a clean cloth using round motions, then buff it out to a high gloss.
Tips for Preventing Future Scratches
To minimize the risk of future scratches, consider these tips:
Careful Parking: Park in less crowded areas and avoid tight spaces where possible.
Regular washing: wash car everyday so you won’t leave dirt on car which can hurt the paint and cause scratches.
Use a Car Cover: Protect your vehicle from environmental elements when parked outside.
Conclusion
Restoring your Charlton car scratch doesn’t have to be a difficult task. By following this detailed guide, you will have the tools to repair minor to moderate price and appearance on your vehicle. As mentioned throughout the passage, being carful in the prep and having the correct tools will help achieve maximum results and avoid costly visits to the bodyshop.