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How do you fix burnt paint on a car?

There was a scratch on my car I was hoping to buff out. Unfortunately, I was a bit too overzealous with the buffer and managed to burn my paint. Can I fix burnt paint on a car?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Try not to feel too bad; you’re not the first person to accidentally burn through their paint! Thankfully, you can fix burnt paint by repainting the area.
If you want to try to repaint the area yourself, here’s what to do:
  1. Apply dish soap or dish detergent to clean the burnt area. Dry with a microfiber towel.
  2. Apply paint evenly to match your car in the burnt area. You want to make sure the edges are slightly feathered to help it blend with the rest of the car.
  3. Once the paint dries, you’ll want to take fine-grit sandpaper and sand the area to until it is smooth.
  4. Wipe the area with a microfiber towel and apply a clear coat.
  5. Once the clear coat dries, buff or sand the surface lightly to ensure it blends properly.
While you can complete these steps at home, if you’re nervous after burning your paint, you may want to leave it to the professionals. If you’re nervous about the cost, you can get a
quote from a body repair shop
.
If you decide the cost of a professional is worth it, consider trying to save on your other car expenses with the
Jerry
app.
Once you download Jerry, answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete and you’ll immediately get car insurance quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year.
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