Fix Your Car’s Deep Scratches With Automotive Spray Paint

At ERA Paints we understand that fixing your scratches can seem daunting, especially when using a product like automotive spray paint. But we promise, we can show you the correct preparation and tactics to make this a very easy and simple task.

First off, let’s go over what you’ll need. Like we said in the first paragraph preparation is key. I’m going to list the items as if you don’t have any of these products laying around the house, if you already have something obviously you won’t need to purchase again. Just make sure the product is still in good shape (IE: Primer or Clear coat).

Products you will need:

1. Automotive Spray Paint that matches your vehicle paint code. Visit the link to find out how! Optional: Spray Can Trigger

2. A paint test-match card

3. Automotive Spray Clearcoat

4. Automotive Spray Primer

5. Nitrile Gloves or comparable

6. 2 sheets of genuine 3M/Norton sandpaper (320&600 grit)

7. Shop towels

8. Automotive Painting Tape

9. Wax and grease remover

10. Putty with Putty Spreader

Don’t have any of these products? We offer a full kit with premium automotive spray paint here. Do you have some of these products and only need the paint? We offer all sorts of options here.

The 5 Steps to Completing Your Automotive Spray Paint Project

Step 1: Clean the Surface You’re Painting and Prepare the Area

Use your wax and grease remover to clean the panel you’re painting. Then wipe down with a high-quality shop towel. (Use a blue shop towel so you won’t leave debris on the area, typical paper towels will leave spots of paper that you could paint over) You’ll also want to make sure you sweep the area of dust or any other contaminates that could end up on your fresh paint. You’ll also want to test the nozzles on the primer, basecoat and clearcoat on some cardboard. Use the test-match card to test the color of the basecoat!

Step 2: Sand out all scratches with a scuff pad or 320+ Sand Paper

Use your sandpaper to lightly dry-sand or rough up the paint surface 3 inches beyond the damaged area. Wrap the sandpaper around the bottom edge of your hand to sand-out rust and scratches, etc. Fully wipe down the area to make sure no dust from sanding is sitting on the area before applying primer.

Step 3: Mask Off Scratch Area and Apply Primer

Mask off the areas around the sanded and prepped areas. You can mask off more if this is your first time to make sure you don’t spray any areas you don’t need to. You can use newspaper or any other paper you have laying around with the masking tape to cover the areas you’re not painting. SHAKE THE PRIMER CAN for at least 60 seconds before spraying. Make sure to add multiple coats of primer, at least two. If the scratch is deep you may want to add 3 coats to make sure you level out the paint. You can wait 5 minutes between layers. Wait 20 minutes when you’ve finished spraying the primer and now take your 600 grit sand paper and lightly “wet sand” the surrounding area that you used primer on and adjust the masking tape to surround the whole area.

Step 4: Apply Basecoat Paint and Mask Off Larger Area

Before applying the basecoat automotive spray paint, make sure to shake the can for up to a minute. Minimum 30 seconds! Keep shaking for every minute of painting. You’ll want to keep the nozzle 8-10 inches away from the panel you’re painting. Apply 2-3 coats allowing each coat to dry for 20 minutes. If your paint is faded or has some color loss, you’ll need to know how to blend. For a more detailed guide on blending visit our full how to guide on our website.

Step 5: Clearcoat Application

Before spraying clearcoat on your panel, use a test surface like cardboard to practice application. If your clearcoat has been in a hot or cold garage, make sure to put the can in a warm or “colder” cup of water and get the can to around 80 degrees or orange peel could happen. This happens even on brand new cars! Apply 2 layers of clearcoat, again 8-10 inches away from the surface. Wait 10 minutes between layers. Each coat should look wet and glossy, but not so thick that the clearcoat starts running. Use only light-med coats! If you do get orange peel, LIGHTLY the area very softly and reapply the clearcoat. Clearcoat is the hardest part of automotive touch up spray paint! If you’re not comfortable, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!

Wait 30 days to polish or wax the car!