Minor damage to the paint and lacquer coating is the most common problem for every car owner. The good news: most scratches and chips can be repaired yourself, provided you have the right materials and patience.
Assessing the Depth of the Damage
Run your fingernail across the scratch. If the nail doesn't catch — only the clear coat is damaged (a surface scratch). If it catches — the paint is damaged. If you can see grey metal or rust — the damage has reached bare metal.
Type 1: Surface Scratch (Clear Coat Only)
The simplest case. Only polishing is needed.
- Wash and degrease the area
- Apply abrasive polish with a polishing machine or by hand
- Polish using circular motions
- Apply a protective wax or sealant to lock in the result
Type 2: Scratch Down to the Paint
- Degrease the area with a silicone remover
- Sand the edges of the scratch with P800–P1000 (wet sanding)
- Apply spray primer (2–3 thin coats)
- After drying (30 min) — apply aerosol paint in the correct colour code
- After 1 hour — apply clear coat (2 coats)
- After 24 hours — polish the blend with abrasive paste
Type 3: Chip Down to Bare Metal (Most Critical)
Requires immediate repair — corrosion starts on exposed metal within weeks!
- Clean the chip of rust (P120–P180 sandpaper or a micro-drill)
- Degrease
- Apply anti-corrosion primer or rust converter
- After drying — apply primer + paint + clear coat (aerosol or brush)
- For a deep chip — apply body filler first
Required Materials
- Silicone remover — degreasing before every step
- Abrasive sanding pads P800, P1000, P1500, P2000
- Spray primer (colour: grey)
- Aerosol paint (your car's colour code)
- Aerosol clear coat or liquid 2K lacquer
- Abrasive paste + polishing compound
- Microfibre cloths (2–3 pieces)
Tips for a Better Result
- Do not work in temperatures below +15°C or in direct sunlight
- Hold the aerosol can 25–30 cm away and move in a steady, even motion
- Several thin coats are better than one thick coat
- After the repair, do not wash the car for 48 hours
❓ Frequently asked questions
How much does DIY chip repair cost?▾
A set of materials for DIY chip repair costs 300–800 ₴. The equivalent job at a body shop costs 500–2000 ₴ per panel.
How long does scratch repair take?▾
A surface scratch takes 30–60 minutes. A repair down to bare metal with priming and painting takes 4–6 hours including drying time.
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