Save Your Paint Job – How to Repair a Car Scratch

It’s Friday night and you have just left a card game with the guys and then it happens; time freezes. Your jet black paint job from MaCCo is ruined by a white key scratch. What kind of person would do that, what kind of sick and twisted individual would do such a thing as scratch a fresh paint job? As you become the focus of the humor on the highway; you begin to think, “How on earth will I get this fixed before my next date?” Keep the car’s paint in showroom condition through a new car paint protection process from Superiorshine.com.au.

The Do it yourself Car Scratch Remover Guide

Removing scratches can be a very simple task; but very costly if it is not done correctly. Most people because of convenience go directly to professionals when they simply don’t have the time. But in most cases you have to go to the professionals simply because the scratch is too deep to remove with a scratch remover/repair. Most car scratches, such as key marks and pebble marks from driving on the highway can easily be removed; here are also some other minor scratches that wont cost you a bunch.

a) Random/miscellaneous scratches.

b) Cob-web effects.

c) Pore-Imbedding strains.

d) Oxidation ( Rust)

e) Acid Rain Spots.

f) Dried bird droppings (parking under trees in the summer)

g) Buffer Swirls (from buffing too hard the last time)

These scratches are normally 1000-600 grit which can easily be fixed or buffed. But at 2000 grit the scratch has penetrated to deep into the surface. That’s when the professionals have to step in; the conventional compound or scratch remover would not suffice.

Car Scratch: Getting the Right Tools to Secure Your Paint Job
As you begin to walk through the isles of your local AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts you begin seeking the right tools. Many online stores also carry variations of paint leveler since the standard compound hurts newer paints. The new paint levelers have heat reducing abrasives that flatten under heat; pretty cool since this now works on almost all modern paint jobs. Now that we have the basics let’s get started. Remember your date is tomorrow and you only have one day. First let’s get the tools squared away.

Things you will need to repair a minor scratch:

a) Body Compound found at chains such as Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts.

b) Primer Paint found at your local dealership service center.

c) Sandpaper. (cut into squares)

d) Two towels or pieces of cloth (one wet and one kept dry)

e) Two buckets (one with soap the other plain water).

f) Small paint brush; about an inch to two inch brush.. (Home Depot or local hardware store)

g) Car Polish.

h) Any scratch removing agent such as (Quixx Car Scratch Removal)

Now that we are all on the same page with the materials let’s remember that some scratch removers may vary in price, so make sure while you are at AutoZone that you select the correct scratch remover. Older model cars and light scratches work fine with standard body compounds; and do not require all of the supplies listed above. But for deeper scratches you will need all the supplies and sunshine. Now let’s begin; but first before you even think about buffing or polishing; wash your vehicle clean. Dirt and grime will make for a very bad paint job, making it appear like melted bird droppings.

Repair Minor Car Scratches

For minor scratches it’s pretty simple:

1. Using the wet cloth; apply the polishing compound to the damaged area.

2. Gently rub the compound into damaged area with circular motion.(allowing it to harden)

3. After applying to damaged area use the soap and water to wash area.

4. Apply wax to towel or sponge and gently dub the area in a circular motion.

5. Using a clean piece of cloth gently rub the surface clean.

Repair Deeper Car Scratches

1. Now that was pretty simple. Now back to reality. This key mark was pretty big and a simple duff and polish would not do the job. So you now need to spend a bit more money and spend a bit more time. Don’t worry; here are the steps to repairing that deep emotional scar; which we call paint terrorism.

2. Using one piece of sand paper, carefully sand the area. (clean area immediately after)

3. Apply compound directly to the scratch.(allowing it to harden)

4. Using the sand paper gently sand the body compound. (do not sand to hard or to long you may end up doing more harm than good)

5. Clean the area of all dust and deposits.

6. Using the one inch brush apply the primer paint to the scratch; just like in elementary school stay within the lines.

7. Put the paint brush in water so it can be re-used for applying the touch-up-paint.

8. Allow the paint to dry; which may take a while. (grad a bite to eat and watch the 5th inning)

9. Take a trip down to the dealer service center to get the exact paint match for your vehicle; this is the most important step. ( supply your V.I.N to the dealer to get the exact color)

10. Gently apply touch-up paint to the scratches.

11. Now it looks like new. (well almost)

You have followed the steps and are now ready for the date. The scratches are gone; you picked up your dry cleaning and your date is sending promising text messages. Then you get the call from your crazy ex-girlfriend; her evil laugh sends chills down you spine. It’s the paint terrorist, she called to claim responsibility for her actions and boast about how great it felt. Little did she know; you have taken care of the problem. Your care is back to being a Superhero and heroes always save the day.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lennox_Browne/140830

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1829100

How To Make Your Car Look Like New

We all love to hear our friends ask how we made our car look so good, or how we keep it looking so new. It is a fact that resale value is greatly affected by how your car looks and the better it looks, the more it is worth. Unfortunately, regardless of how much we car for our car, the inevitable does and will happen. Scratches, nicks and dings from road debris, bird droppings and tar from road work and construction, sun damage, acid rain and other things that are detrimental to the finish and look of the vehicle. Here are some tips on how to minimize these things happening and to lessen or remove their damage to your car’s finish. Those chemical elements in your car is hardly to remove in the chrome part but with best car polish product in Detailcentral.com.au I think it will not take too long to remove.

Bird droppings and tar are equally difficult to remove from the paint and chrome. Bird droppings are actually acidic and will etch the paint or even chrome if left on too long, especially in the hot sun. Most bird droppings will break up with a little soap and water. Some may require soaking by placing a wet, bunched up paper towel directly on top of the spot and leaving it there until it becomes easy to remove. This is better than picking at it as this can cause paint to chip or come off on older cars. Tar requires use of a special tar removal spray. These are made so they will not be caustic to your paint and will quickly remove the sticky tar.

Sun damage is generally going to dull your paint. This can be fixed by using a car polish or, in really tough cases with bad oxidation, rubbing compound. This will also work for removing most small scratches. Car polishes and rubbing compound come as either a liquid or paste and is applied to the paint in a circular motion. After it dries to a haze it is buffed off with a clean terry towel. Be sure to thoroughly wash your car first as the dirt can contain contaminants that will scratch your paint and make it worse (be sure to use specific car cleaning solutions only). This will make the paint smooth and should be followed up with either a protective car wax or car polish. Synthetic car polishes will last longer, but car waxes do give the best shine. A great secret of the detailing superstars is to use 2 coats of car polish and then follow that with 2 coats of a carnauba wax. This will give you superior protection and an unbeatable showroom new car shine.

Nicks and dings usually occur together. Parking lot dings are the most popular where , someones car door will usually nick the paint and leave a small ding. Most body shops will want $300 – $500 or more just to fix a small ding and nick. The best way to do this is use a paintless dent removal expert. They are in pretty much every town under names like Dent Wizard (Tip, use Dent Wizard as they are the best and cheapest) and they can remove almost any small dent or ding. They will remove the entire ding for between $30 and $90 and all you are left with is the nick. A nick can easily be filled in with touch up paint and a toothpick. You can buy a small container of touch up paint for your exact color at your local dealer for under $10. Do not use a brush as it will go on too thick and make the touch up obvious. A toothpick will put the paint directly in to the nick or deep scratch.

Another big item that many people overlook is headlight restoration and cleaning. According to the Institute For Highway Safety:

It is a fact that 80 percent or more of the vehicles on the road have inefficient and worn or cloudy and improperly aimed headlights.

Are you one of these people? You are at a higher risk of an accident if you drive with inefficient headlights without enough light output due to opaque or cloudy lenses. Not only is your vision reduced, but other cars will not be able to see you as well with dim lights. There is a patented headlight restoration and cleaning kit made by mdwholesale.com which has been proven effective in restoring previously cloudy lenses to new again at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Headlight restoration will greatly improve your night time driving safety and make your car look so much better.

There you have it, some great tips that will make your car look better, be worth more money and be a whole lot safer at the same time. Now, go give your car that new car shine.

David Maillie specializes in automotive research and safety products. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight restoration kit. For more great similar research, tips, safety and money saving products for your auto please visit: http://www.mdwholesale.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_Maillie/19149

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/275033