Minor Body Scratch Repair

If only the paint layer is scratched and the metal is not exposed, the scratch is very easy to repair. Lightly rub the scratched area with paint restorer or a very fine polishing compound to remove a thin layer of paint and the wax coating around the scratch. Rinse the treated area with clean water.

Apply a thin layer of liquid touch-up paint to the scratch with a soft brush. Repeat several times until the paint surface is level. Allow the new paint to dry for at least two weeks, then polish the area with polishing compound and apply a protective wax coating.

If the scratch has reached the body metal, corrosion may develop. Remove the rust from the metal with a penknife, then apply anti-corrosion coating to prevent corrosion in the future. Using a rubber or nylon spatula, fill the scratch with body filler. If necessary, thin the filler with solvent to allow filling of narrow scratches. Before the body filler hardens, wrap a cotton cloth around your finger, dampen it with solvent, then quickly draw it across the scratch. This will slightly depress the surface of the body filler. Then paint the scratch as described above.