Auto Scratch Repair – How to Repair Automotive Paint Scratches
Do It Yourself Auto Scratch Repair
Whether your car is the victim of an errant shopping cart, a deranged key scratching jerk, a rock kicked up by a truck, or some other incident, paint scratches are unfortunately inevitable. You could just skip repairing an auto scratch, but rust and ugly paint damage are probably things you want to avoid! An auto scratch repair service at an auto body shop can be very expensive, so we recommend doing it yourself with touch up paint. In this article we will show you how to fix your auto scratches with great results at the lowest cost possible.
Low Cost Auto Scratch Repair
So you just got an auto scratch and need to fix it, or you are finally getting around to auto scratch repair. But how much does it cost to fix auto paint scratches?
If you go to an auto body shop, you can expect to spend in the $300-$1,000 dollar range depending on how bad the paint scratch is. The reason auto body scratch repair is so expensive is that they typically re-paint the entire panel where the scratch is. The materials and time it takes a shop to fix a scratch really adds up quick. So is there a cheap auto scratch repair option?
DIY with Touch Up Paint for Auto Scratch Repair
Touching up your scratched auto paint may seem daunting, but it is really quite simple, and will cost just a fraction of what the auto body shop charges. High quality auto scratch repair paint starts at less than $15, and can be used to repair multiple auto scratches. What other costs might you expect?
The following is a typical order for an auto scratch repair kit on our site:
1/2 oz. Paint Pen Basecoat: @ $14.95
1/2 oz. Clearcoat: @ $6.59
Your bill would be as follows:
Paint Pen Basecoat (1/2 oz.): $14.95
Clearcoat (1/2 oz.): $7.59
Shipping: $4.95
Total auto scratch repair kit cost: $27.49
Deep Auto Scratch Repair
For deep auto paint scratches, it may necessary to order a couple additional products like primer. If the scratch has gone through all the layers of your auto paint and bare metal is showing, you will need to use primer to get the touch up paint to stick.
How To Repair Auto Scratches with Touch Up Paint
Auto Scratch Repair Pen
If your car has relatively small scratches or scuffs (smaller than the size of a pencil eraser), a touch up paint pen is the easiest and cheapest product to use. It has a felt tip which when depressed releases small amounts of auto paint. It really helps to practice with the paint pen before using it on your automobile. A smooth surface like a photograph or plastic container will help you get a feel for how the auto paint flows from the pen tip. When you are ready, make sure the scratched areas are clean and primed if necessary. Apply several thin layers with the auto scratch repair pen, letting each dry before applying the next. Finish with a couple clearcoat layers and polish with rubbing compound for a glossy finish.
Spray Paint Can for Repairing a Scratched Surface
While the paint pen is easy and effective for smaller scratches, an auto scratch repair spray can is ideal for large and extensive scratches. With a spray can, you can do it like the pros and touch up whole panels at a time. Spray paint cans are a little bit more expensive, but contain significantly more auto paint and repair larger areas.
Brushing an Auto Scratch
The brush bottles are good for scratches that are a little bigger than the size of a pencil eraser, but smaller than the size of a dime. Also if there are numerous scratches, the 2 ounce size will help you touch them all up. The auto scratch repair brush is quite simple to use: get a small amount of touch up paint on the tip of the brush and gently apply thin layers.
Additional Help with Auto Scratch Repair
You can find detailed touch up paint instructions, how to videos, and tips on PaintScratch.com. Just click the preceding links for additional help.
How to Start Your Auto Scratch Repair
You may be ready to get started today, or are just curious about the process and want to learn more. Our guided ordering system is designed based on helping hundreds of thousands of customers like you touch up their auto scratches. The first step is finding the touch up paint color that matches your automotive paint, and we’ll guide you through the rest of the auto scratch repair steps.
