
What to do if your car has scratched paint on it
The American Conservatives’ annual car safety report looks back on the most common automotive mishaps, and finds that people can get in trouble for a variety of reasons for damage to their vehicle.
Here are some tips for handling paint that’s been scratched: • If you suspect you’ve scratched a paintjob, go ahead and try to remove it yourself.
You can get your car repaired by a professional, or you can take your car to a local shop to have the paint cleaned and/or replaced.
• If the paint is too dirty to scrub off, you might want to replace it.
There are a number of paint removers on the market, including acetone, but you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and follow the directions carefully.
• Be aware of how much paint you’re spraying.
Some cars spray their paint directly onto the paint chips.
Some use a spray-on primer, which will allow you to easily scrub off any excess paint and keep the chips from getting too thick.
• Never let the paint sit in the sun.
Spray paint in direct sunlight, away from direct heat and UV rays, or in direct heat.
If you’re in a hot or humid environment, spray paint directly in direct sun.• You may want to clean your car and get it inspected if the paint chip problem is persistent.
For more information on paint chip problems, go to the American Conservative’s article on car paint chips and the American Auto Dealers Association’s article detailing the paint-chip problem prevention process.
The American Council of Governments has a page with more tips on vehicle maintenance.