How to Fix Deep Scratches from Car Door
Scratched car doors particularly impact the quality and durability of the automobile’s exterior features. This article will illustrate how to fix deep scratches from car door.
Where Do Scratches Come From?
In these bustling times, urban traffic has risen exponentially, with bumper-to-bumper traffic becoming common in big cities and towns.
Tight parking lots, opening a door against a nearby pillar, a biker’s hastiness, grocery bags, and even a jealous neighbor’s intentions all keep a loving owner from keeping their car spotless, with intermittent scratches here and there on the car’s door.
Difference Between Scratches And Dents
Scratches and dents are two different things. A scratch is usually a slight scrape on the surface of the car body, whereas a dent is a deformity on the car’s body caused by a severe impact or force.
Scratches are harmless bruises and nothing significant which could affect the car’s performance. Although it may be a sore sight for a few owners, it is surprising how easy and inexpensive it is to remove them.
With a bit of elbow grease and a correct examination of the intensity of the scratch, you will once again have a scratch-less car
Types of Scratches
Scratches are classified into multiple types, and to treat them, we need to consider the severity of the blemish before treating it ourselves.
- Clear coat scratches
- Primer scratches
- Paint scratches
Paint Levels
A car’s paint job consists of three paint levels, protecting the car’s metallic surface from harmful UV rays, dust, and rust—namely, Primer, Base Color Coat, and Clear Coat.
A DIY for a quick fix of a scratch is only possible for abrasion which hasn’t intruded the Base Color Coat of the paint; otherwise, it is recommended to give visit to a local workshop.
How to Check the Type of Scratch?
To check the severity of the scratch, run your fingernail across the scratch if it turns out to be deeper than the thickness of a paper (you can assess this if your fingernail catches the scratch, indicating it is more profound).
What are the Solutions to fixing a car door scratch?
Here are the solutions to fix the car door which include
Car Polish
The good old way to remove a scratch is by using car polish. However, be cautious of the order of steps.
- Wipe and clean the surface of the car door using soapy water. This also helps identify the intensity of the scratch. Usually, light scratches are removed by soap water, and no further actions are required.
- Mark the scratch area using tape, ensuring that only the affected area is treated.
- The next step is polishing the area. Ensure the abraded area is well clean and no dirt is accumulated. Use a microfiber towel and apply polish to it. In a circular pattern, rub the polish and coat it evenly throughout. It is recommended to repeat this in two sets.
- Finally, use paste wax which fills in the gaps and microscopic scratches invisible to the human eye and fills up the scratch properly while protecting the clear coat of paint.
This method is the most efficient and requires little to no tools, making it the most common and best way to deal with scratches.
Paint Touch-up kit
Paint touchup kits are a professional way to deal with a scratch while sitting at home. All you need is this kit and correct product usage; the scratch will disappear within minutes. The only downside is finding the right paint color to fill the car door scratch. The rest is a piece of cake.
Toothpaste
This method is usually frowned upon and debated by many users. However, while it is unconventional, it has gained much popularity greatly owing to the inexpensive item used, toothpaste.
To get the best results:
- Clean the affected area with water and wipe it off with a clean towel.
- Use a microfiber towel (recommended) and apply toothpaste to the scratch.
- Rub the toothpaste on the scratch, making sure to apply a little pressure on the scratch.
- Use water occasionally.
- After rubbing the affected area for a few minutes, wipe it off with a towel and clean it with water. You will get your desired results.
You can also repeat the process for the best results.
WD-40
Surprise! Just when you thought WD-40 couldn’t do enough tasks, it made it to our list on how to clean a scratched car door. Although keep in mind that scratches which have contaminated the Base Color Coat of the car door paint will not be able to go away with a few coats of WD-40.
Again, ensure the scratch isn’t deep enough; otherwise, this method wouldn’t work at the desired level. Next, wash the scratch with water, and after drying it, spray a healthy amount to the area and wipe it off firmly. Finally, apply the coat two to three times, and voila! Your scratch will have bought the dust!
Rubbing Compound
A rubbing compound is an abrasive material usually found as a paste that helps removes the oxidized (rusted) paint and replace it with a fresh layer of paint found underneath. The only downside of using this technique is that it will remove any wax present on the paint, and overuse of it may result in fading of the glossiness of the paint. Otherwise, it is a wise solution to use against deeper scratches.
In a similar fashion to how toothpaste treatment worked. You should apply the compound over the scratch in a circular, backward, or forward motion over the surface making to apply moderate pressure on the abrasion. Then sprinkle the area with water. You might find a minor bump on the applied surface but fear not. Buff it out with the same microfiber towel, and you should be good to go!
Tips to prevent further Car Scratches
All these solutions are an excellent way to keep you out of lengthy workshop bills and exploitation of mechanics who, in some cases, try to squeeze every rupee out of your pocket for a meager task. However, if you feel that the scratch might be impossible to fix with homemade solutions, don’t hesitate to visit the workshop.
To save a couple of bucks, you might lose thousands due to negligence. Be smart and Be Aware. Below you will find a few tips to help you prevent further scratches on your car.
- Choose Your Parking Spot Carefully
- Wash Your Car Regularly
- Use Good Cleaning Products
- Drive Carefully
- Correct Old Habits
- Park Under a Roof
- Invest in Paint Protection Film
With a bit of discipline and a little love, you will find yourselves to be an owner who takes much pride in his spotless car.
