Buffing Scratches From A Car

There are some smaller cosmetic damages that you may feel are too minor to bring into the body shop. While Unique Auto Body is available to take care of any cosmetic need for your car, there are some minor problems that you can fix on your own without the help of a professional. There are some scratches that you can repair with the right tools and knowledge. Take a look at the best methods for removing minor scratches, and determining when a professional is needed to take care of the job.

No two scratches are created equal. The damage of the scratch will be determined by a number of factors including the paint of the car, the age of the paint, the object that caused the scratch, and the force at which the scratch was delivered. When an object is softer than your car, it will rub against the paint, leaving a deposit of material instead of scratching. Those objects that are more resilient will cause the scratch. Examine the size and depth of your scratch to determine if you can fix it yourself, or if professional help will be needed.

Once you have determined that you are dealing with a scratch and not a mark, there are a few other things you will need to determine about your scratch. Examine how far down the scratch goes, it may be just in the clear coating, through the paint, or in extreme cases clear down to the primer. The scratch may be uneven in depth over the length, which may have an impact on the repair process. A deep scratch will require the help of a professional auto body shop while surface scratches can possibly be repaired at home.

While trying to buff out a scratch to your car, follow these steps:

• Wash the area – make sure there is no dirt and grime remaining. In the case of a scuff, this will also help you discover if there is no scratch at all.
• Use shoe polish to help identify the scratches. Wipe across, filling the scratches with the black substance.
• Use a block of sandpaper and water to sand until the shoe polish is no longer visible.
• Using a rubbing compound and an inexpensive polishing wheel you can bring the shine back and eliminate the sanding scratches. Be cautious not to buff through the protective coating.
• Once complete wax your car and examine the area.

If this process doesn’t work to eliminate your scratch, the problem might be deeper than you think. At this point let the professionals at Unique Auto Body take care of the problem, ensuring your car’s paint remains beautiful and free of blemishes.