Like most property you own, a car needs proper handling and maintenance. Sometimes it’s almost impossible to avoid a car scratch. Scratches on the car can be the result of vandalism, improper parking or a minor accident. No matter how long you’ve owned the car, a scratch can be unpleasant and frustrating as it reduces the appearance of your vehicle, making it essential to find a suitable way to keep your vehicle looking like new. Even if you want to repair the scratch yourself, it is essential to bring in a professional. They have extensive knowledge in the restoration of scratches. But before all that, let’s get to understand better the the importance of repairing small scratches.
Why should you repair scratches on your car?
Prevent further damage
At first, a scratch may seem minor or harmless, but it can become disastrous over time. A small scratch can cause rust on your vehicle, which can damage the vehicle frame.
Avoid loss of value
If you do not intend to stay with your car for a long time, it is necessary to treat the small scratch before it escalates. A scratch, no matter how small, will drastically reduce the resale value of your car.
Professional methods of restoring minor car scratches
Paint correction
The paint correction removes imperfections, such as minor scratches, to give your car a new look. Before starting the paint correction process, you will need to level the surface, which is done according to the methods mentioned below.
Wet sanding
Wet sanding is a process where scratches and blemishes are removed from your car using sandpaper. The process must be done perfectly to avoid an inconsistent pattern or excessive paint removal. The innovation of wet sanders has been key to avoiding these problems because the equipment does the job perfectly.
When hand sanding with water, it is essential to use the sandpaper with water as it acts as a lubricant. In addition, the water helps to get rid of the removed paint to avoid clogging the sandpaper. It should be understood that wet sanding for minor scratches is generally less aggressive and takes little time.
Compounding
The compounding method is used to remove scratches that are too difficult to remove. This method uses a liquid with chemical and physical abrasives to remove scratches. Like wet sanding, compounding has adopted advanced technology using a polisher and microfiber pads to remove scratches.
After leveling the paint, your car undergoes a polish, also known as a refining or finishing step. This is the step that restores the full clarity and shine of the color. Finally, it would be better to protect the paint by applying wax, putty or ceramic coating.
Scratch repair kit
A scratch repair kit is an effective way to remove small to moderate scratches. The kit contains a touch-up paint, a pad, a polish to remove scratches and a paste. You should thoroughly clean the area under the scratch to remove debris and dust for best results.
When cleaning, try using soap and water. After that you can use a microfiber cloth to dry the area. Using the polishing pad, rub a small amount of anti-scratch paste over the area and wipe off the excess. The paste removes the thin layer of the car creating a smooth and even surface.
Conclusion
A car is prone to a few scratches from minor accidents, vandalism, or poor parking abilities. Therefore, having your vehicle serviced by a professional is essential to restore its appearance.
Interesting Related Article: “Paint Like a Pro: A Guide to DIY Car Painting”