How to Repair a Scratch With Clear Coat

It seems inevitable that vehicles become scratched. It can happen at work, at the mall, at your home or anywhere. If a scratch on your car is not deep, you can repair it with clear coat. Although applying clear coat is easy, preparation of the scratched area beforehand takes patience and time. Proper preparation makes a big difference on how good the job looks when you're done.

• 1

  Wash the scratched area thoroughly with a soapy wet sponge. Fill a bucket or pail with warm water and add some liquid detergent or a liquid car soap. Dip a soft sponge into the water and clean away the dirt, dust and debris. When you are finished, dry the area with a soft cloth or let it air dry.

• 2

  Place 2000- to 3000-grit sandpaper on a block of wood or a rubber sanding block.

• 3

  Fill a bowl with cold water and add 3 drops of liquid detergent soap. Soak the sandpaper and block in the water for two to three minutes.

• 4

  Hold the sandpaper at a 60-degree angle and begin sanding. Move the sandpaper in short strokes, being careful not to over-sand. Stop and check the area often, because you do not want to go deeper than the scratch.

• 5

  Apply a thin coat of paint that matches the color of your vehicle. If possible, find the color code of your vehicle to ensure you get the exact right shade. You can use a paint pen or a small bottle of paint with a small brush. Vigorously shake the tube or bottle of paint to mix it. If necessary, apply a second coat after following the manufacturer's label for length of drying time. Wait 12 to 24 hours for the paint to dry before going to the next step.

• 6

  Shake the clear coat bottle or tube thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of clear top coat. Paint only in one direction and just slightly overlap. Wait 24 hours for the topcoat to dry completely.

• 7

  Repeat steps 3 and 4, being careful to not over-sand the area. Wipe with a clean dry cloth. The surface will develop a haze over the top.

• 8

  Apply some finishing compound to the middle of the repaired area. Buff in a circular motion to remove the haze.