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How do you fix a deep-keyed car?

I’m going to admit that I do something I know I shouldn’t: I race my car. I know, it’s unsafe and not always legal, and after last night, I probably won’t do it again. Long story short: I won a race and the loser keyed my car last night. The scratches are really deep. I love this car and want to fix the paint at home if I can. How can I fix deep scratches in my car’s paint?

avatar
Rachel Juillerat · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
As someone who offers advice on all things car-related, I am glad you are no longer racing; as you said, it’s dangerous and illegal. To the keyed scratches in your car’s paint, there’s good and bad news. The good news is that you often can
fix scratches at home
. The bad news: if the scratches are really deep, you might need to take it to a
professional to get repainted
, which can cost a lot.
If you want to try fixing the scratches at home, you will need the following:
  • Touch up paint that matches your car’s paint
  • Self-etching primer (you only need that if the scratches went down to the bare metal)
  • Spray bottle of clear coat
  • Cheesecloth
  • Microfiber towels
  • Rubbing compound
  • Polishing Compound
  • Polish/wax sponges
  • Car wax
  • Scratch repair kit
  • Polish
  • Newspaper
  • Painter’s tape
Once you’ve gathered the materials, here’s what you need to do: Step one: Use a dampened cheesecloth to apply the rubbing compound to the scratch. This helps remove the clear coat and the sharp edges of the scratched paint. Step two: Use painter’s tape to tape overall paint near the scratch. Only the scratch should be visible in the area after this step. Step three: Tape newspaper to the paint around the scratch to protect the paint. Step four: Clean the scratch with alcohol. Step five: If the scratch went down to bare metal, apply the primer. Skip this step if no metal is exposed. Step six: Apply touch-up paint. Wait 10-15 minutes between each layer. Step seven: Apply several layers of clear coat. Allow each layer to dry before applying a new layer. Step eight: Immediately remove the tape so the layers of clear coat don’t dry it into your car’s paint. Step nine: Avoid washing your car for at least seven days to allow the paint and clear coat to dry and set. Step ten: Apply rubbing compound then polishing compound. Step eleven: Use the scratch repair kit (follow the instructions on the kit).Step twelve: Apply polish and then car wax.
Deep scratches in your car’s paint take a lot more time and materials than surface-level scratches, but if you follow these steps, your car’s paint should be looking as good as new!
While this is a cheap fix, there are some car fixes you may need assistance with, so it’s always a good idea to invest in a strong car insurance policy.
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