They are not aesthetic and their presence reduces the beauty of your bodywork. The solution would be to get rid of them quickly on your own, whether they are deep or not. So here are the tips and steps for you to follow to repair a deep scratch on a car?
Clean the scratch and its contours
The first thing to do in this case is to clean the damaged area with alcohol. This will serve to remove any wax residue or seal on the scratch(es). Also, you should know that if the scratches are deep enough, then the repair will require more than simple touch-ups.
Fill the hole with striped putty
To fill the crack, apply some filler to the edges of the scratch. Then, distribute the product very gently in the hole using a small squeegee. Let it dry afterwards for a few minutes (about 2 to 4 minutes). Once dried, the entire surface of the scratch will be completely filled. Be careful not to overflow.
Sand if necessary
It’s time to sand. For sanding, you need several tools. You will need: a rag wrapped around a foam sanding block and a liquid leveler. You need to rub the scratch as you go. This will allow you to clean up the overflowing putty.
Thereafter, wipe the entire surface of the scratch and sand it with a damp grit paper. Polish the area immediately afterwards with a soft cloth. The choice of cloth is to avoid attacking the paint or varnish on the bodywork.
However, make sure to put a little pressure on it, and don’t forget that the polishing must be done in a circular motion of the arm (without forcing your gesture too much). In addition, the deeper the scratch, the more thorough you will need to be: the touch-up pen is strongly recommended in cases of more serious damage.
Apply the paint: spray or stripe pen
The last step in your repair is to finally apply the paint not only to the filler putty, but also to the entire area. Be sure to tap lightly, but don’t brush. Once the paint completely covers the touch-up area, let it dry as long as it takes. That said, you can as many times as you wish, apply a coat of paint or varnish.
By following these tips, it is quite possible to repair, with your own means, one or more more or less deep scratches on the bodywork of your vehicle. However, more serious cases will require the intervention and care of a body repair professional.
How to treat a superficial scratch?
If the scratch on your car’s body is not that deep, but on the contrary seems rather superficial, there are a few tricks to try before doing a more in-depth treatment. You can for example apply using a cloth or your fingers, toothpaste, cigarette ash at the end of a damp cloth or clay stone.
How to remove a scratch on a windshield?
There are specific products and kits for scratches on windshields, but you can first try to erase it yourself. To do this, take a soft, chamois-type cloth, soak it in Blanc de Meudon and rub where the scratch is, while making circles.
Next, you will need to soak a newspaper in white spirit and scrub, which will help clean the area. If the scratches are finer and less deep, you can simply use a sponge of warm water and baking soda or toothpaste.
Does insurance cover repairs for scratches?
It will depend on the car insurance chosen, but when taking out insurance you have to compare, make quotes and make sure that the scratches are taken care of. These are problems that occur frequently, voluntarily or not and realized or not because of vandalism.
If so, damage that can be covered by insurance, depending on guarantees and liability. If the person responsible is identified and it turns out to be a third party, it is important to make a statement. If you are responsible for the scratch then you will have to look in detail at the insurance contract.
If the person responsible for the scratch has not been identified, it will be necessary to file a complaint against X, which will allow you to obtain a document for the insurer. Generally, to be compensated for this type of problem, you must have taken out vandalism cover.
