Whether due to clumsiness when backing up the car, an act
of vandalism, or simply a stroke of bad luck, a scratch on the bodywork always
spoils the aesthetics of the vehicle. But erasing scratches is also a health
issue for your vehicle. Indeed, rust takes the opportunity to come and settle.
Fortunately, there are solutions to remedy scratches, whether superficial or
deeper!
Is It A Micro Scratch?
Not every bodywork scratch has the same seriousness. If
you're lucky, you might even have a micro-scratch! This type of scratch is the
easiest to erase. Indeed, it only affects the varnish that covers your
bodywork. Therefore, it will not necessarily be necessary to go to a
bodybuilder or repaint your car to fix it. Micro-scratches are easily
recognizable: they leave whitish marks on the bodywork and can be spotted more
or less depending on the light provided by the sun.
First, you can reduce micro-scratches by placing a dab of
toothpaste on your index finger and brushing the scratch. After a few minutes,
clean with a clean, dry cloth. In the same way, this type of bodywork scratch
can be removed with cigarette ash or baking soda.
Superficial Scratch Or Deep Scratch?
In addition to micro scratches, there are two other types
of scratches, which are more problematic because they open the way to rust.
These are superficial scratches and deep scratches. Visually, the two are very
similar. To distinguish them and know what you are dealing with and therefore
adopt the right solution to erase them, you just have to gently run your finger
over the scratch. If you feel relief, ie the scratch is hollow in the middle
and therefore has edges, it means that it is a deep scratch. If the feeling
feels smooth to you, then it is a superficial scratch.
Tips For Erasing Car Body Scratches
It is important to understand the difference between
erasing a scratch and masking it. In the first case, it is a question of making
it disappear, that is to say finding a perfect side body, for example, as if
there had never been a scratch. To do this, it is often necessary to employ
drastic measures.
Use A Polisher
The polisher is a kind of sander equipped with a soft
polish suitable for work on the bodywork. Using this tool to erase a bodywork
scratch lowers the edges of the scratch so that it blends back into the mass of
the bodywork until it disappears. After buffing, pass a soft cloth over the
scratch location. If you are not satisfied with the result, equip your polisher
with a harder polish. However, be careful not to chip the paint surrounding the
scratch. It is essential to proceed with care!
If it's deep scratches, ditch the polish and go straight
for sandpaper. In this case, it is necessary to plan to put on a coat of paint
after sanding then polish to harmonize with the rest of the bodywork and apply
varnish to make it shine and protect.
Entrust Your Car To A Professional
If you're worried about erasing a scratch on your front
body yourself, it's best to leave the job to a professional. Indeed, for a
precise and truly aesthetic result, erasing a scratch requires great finesse.
Bodybuilders are also equipped with tools specifically designed for this type
of task, which allows an optimal rendering without fear of damaging the paint
layer or doing more harm than good to your bodywork. It is also the assurance
of benefiting from the exact colour of your car when a touch-up paint is
necessary, which is not always found in stores.
South Dale Motors provides
the best-used vehicles in London, Ontario. Contact us for more details.
