Have you ever wondered how your local body shop fixes an auto repair scratch? As it turns out, a lot goes into making sure that tiny scratch gets removed without leaving any noticeable signs of the repair. Body shops have access to a number of technologies that will almost certainly deliver better results than a do-it-yourself job. Keep reading to learn how the pros fix an auto scratch repair:
Paint Preparation
Several steps are required before the actual painting process begins. First, the auto shop will likely begin by sanding down the area surrounding the scratch. On larger scratches, this may be completed with a sandblaster or grinder. For small scratches, hand sanding may be adequate.
Once the surrounding paint has been worn down to create a smooth service, the area is cleaned to remove any dirt, grime or remaining paint. This is generally accomplished through the use of metal conditioners, wax removers and grease removers. After the paint scratch has been sufficiently cleaned, a preliminary coat of paint primer is applied to maximize paint adhesion.
Color Matching
If you've ever tried to fix a paint scratch at home, then you know how difficult it can be to properly match the original paint color. This is largely due to the limited amount of paint colors available from retail auto paint suppliers. Auto body shops don't have this problem, however, as they have the ability to mix paints on-site to create a custom color that precisely matches your vehicle's factory paint job. As a result, you can be confident in the fact that your paint scratch repair will be invisible once complete.
Painting
Auto body shops use compressed air guns when applying car paint. By using slow, sweeping motions the paint is seamlessly applied in thin layers. Once dry, additional layers of paint are applied until the proper depth of color is achieved. For a larger auto repair scratch, as many as 24 coats may be needed to achieve adequate results. Sanding and cleaning may also be required in between coats to match the consistency of the surrounding paint. Following paint application, a layer of clear-coated paint may be applied to improve shine and paint protection.
http://www.autostuffplus.com/articles/auto_scratch_repair.html