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A last-chance, step-by-step guide to fixing a scratch on your car

A last-chance, step-by-step guide to fixing a scratch on your car

I've had my Prius for over a year — lots of time to acquire a few dings and scratches.

A last-chance, step-by-step guide to fixing a scratch on your car

Here's the one I decided to repair first: a narrow scribbled scrape. Ugly! Mind you, this scrape was in my plastic bumper. But I had others in the metal body panels.

Here

A company called TouchUpDirect sells repair kits. For about $30, I got a paint pen to match my car's color, as well as a clear coat pen. Clearcoat is the transparent layer that protects the finish.

A company called TouchUpDirect sells repair kits. For about $30, I got a paint pen to match my car

Here's a link to the company's site. I don't recommend or endorse the product, but in my case, it worked well.

TouchUpDirect includes a test card and provides instructions on its website to use the products.

TouchUpDirect includes a test card and provides instructions on its website to use the products.

STEP 1: Clean the scratched surface.

STEP 1: Clean the scratched surface.

STEP 2: Shake up the paint inside the pen.

STEP 2: Shake up the paint inside the pen.

STEP 3: Double check that you got the right color and ...

STEP 3: Double check that you got the right color and ...

... STEP 4: Compare to your car's finish. In my case, it was a perfect match. TouchUpDirect has a database of auto manufacturers, makes, and model years so you can get the correct color.

... STEP 4: Compare to your car

STEP 5: Apply the paint to the scratch. I found that I had to use several coats for this step.

STEP 5: Apply the paint to the scratch. I found that I had to use several coats for this step.

Voila! The scratch is now filled in with paint. I allowed about five minutes between coats.

Voila! The scratch is now filled in with paint. I allowed about five minutes between coats.

STEP 6: Let the paint dry. I gave it around 30 minutes.

STEP 6: Let the paint dry. I gave it around 30 minutes.

STEP 7: Apply the clearcoat.

STEP 7: Apply the clearcoat.

Nothing to it. But I needed three coats to get what I thought was acceptable coverage.

Nothing to it. But I needed three coats to get what I thought was acceptable coverage.

STEP 8: Let the clearcoat dry and pat yourself on the back for another automotive repair well done. I could have sanded, buffed, and waxed the area for a more pristine fix, but honestly the bumper will never look new again, so I was happy to seal the damage.

STEP 8: Let the clearcoat dry and pat yourself on the back for another automotive repair well done. I could have sanded, buffed, and waxed the area for a more pristine fix, but honestly the bumper will never look new again, so I was happy to seal the damage.

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