Paint Repair Techniques

On the highway or even in your driveway, your car's paint job is at risk from road debris, tree branches or neighborhood kids that inflict an ugly scratch or chip. Auto paint consists of three separate layers -- the primer applied directly to the car's metal surface; the colored base coat in the middle; and a protective clear coat on top. Damage extending beyond the clear coat to the lower layers will require more extensive and time-consuming repair.

Marks and Scuffs

Residue marks and scuffs on the surface of the clear coat are fairly easy to remove. Any type of paint repair starts with a wash that pays special attention to the affected area. A mild solution of dish detergent or a commercial car wash product removes wax and grease locally or from the entire car. Minor marks come off with conservative use of acetone and a soft, microfiber cloth.

Clear-Coat Scratches

Removing tiny scratches affecting only the clear-coat layer -- such as those caused by bushes, keys or fingernails around a door handle -- requires a clear coat-safe rubbing compound applied with a foam applicator, then wiped away with a microfiber cloth. The final step is to apply a quality polishing compound by hand or with a specialty power tool.

Medium Chips and Scratches

Damage to the colored base coat requires more time and materials, including touch-up paint, usually obtained from a local car dealership, which exactly matches the original paint job. The damaged area is finely sanded, carefully filled in with touch-up paint and sanded again. Clear coat goes over the repair before it gets a final sanding. Tiny brushes, such as those found at an art-supply store, prove ideal for the filling-in, rather than the broader brushes supplied with the touch-up paint.

Deep Damage

Damage to the primer, or underlying metal, requires extensive repair. In addition to the efforts and materials needed for lesser damage, primer repair requires applying new primer and sanding it locally, using tape and old newspaper to mask the surrounding areas. After the application of new and matching paint with specialized spray equipment, it's time for the clear-coat finish, then sanding, rubbing and polishing. Mike Davis of CarPaintRepairInfo.com suggests waiting about a month or so before applying a coat of wax.