PDA

View Full Version : How To: Scratch removal



ChrisD_EJ8
01-20-2008, 08:38 PM
This is a quick how-to on removing a scratch from your vehicles paint without having to spend tons of money on body work. Before I give the instructions, just to make clear to everyone, this does not work as body filler, this doesnt remove the indention of the scratch. However, this can make a big scratch look a lot better in just a little amount of time with looking like you have a big globbed line of paint across the body of your car. This works best with darker colored cars.

Materials needed:
OEM touch up paint
lacquer thinner
a paper dixie cup
piece of cloth
a buffer
liquid buffing compound

1. Clean the scratched surface with the lacquer thinner.
2. Pour about a teaspoon of the OEM touch up paint into the dixie cup and use about 1/4 as much lacquer thinner as touch-up paint used.
3. Stir the lacquer thinner and touch-up paint for a few seconds until mixed.
4. Dip your piece of cloth into your paint mix and apply to the scratch. Apply as much as needed until the scratch is covered. You may need to apply the mix in layers after each layer has dryed.
When applying your paint mix feel free to smear it across the scratch and dont worry about excess paint on your cars body.
5. After your paint has dried, apply your liquid buffing compound to the area that the paint is applied to.
6. Set your buffer to 2300 rpms or less and buff on the scratched area until all of the excess paint is removed, applying your liquid buffing compound as often as possible. If you have never used a buffer before, DO NOT hold the buffer in one place for too long because you will eventually burn through the paint.


Your finished product should be a painted surface that matches the color of your car without the paint being globbed on the surface of your cars body.
The scratch that was once there should be pretty much invisible to the naked eye. Granted someone doesnt have their face an inch from the scratch because when you are looking that close to the scratch you will see an indented surface.

Keep in mind that this isnt a complete fix for a scratch, but it will make the scratch the same color as your car. And if done right you should be pleased with the finished product.

I will try to have pictures up in the next few days.

97EJ6mike
01-20-2008, 09:50 PM
Good job! You should get Rep for this.
Any chance you have pictures to go along with this?

ChrisD_EJ8
01-21-2008, 08:37 AM
I will try to have pics up soon but i forgot to mention, it needs to be in an environment above 50 degrees farenheit to work best. I have a few scratches to fix and if i can get my garage hot enough I will post a few pics of that.

Dina
01-21-2008, 08:38 AM
Nice! Rep Points 4 U

ChrisD_EJ8
01-21-2008, 08:42 AM
This method has seemed to work pretty good for me. If this doesnt remove the scratch completely, go over the scratch a second and even third time. I've seem to be able to take out key marks on my buddy's cars with it.