How to Fix a Keyed Car? Has your vehicle ever been the target of a former partner’s wrath? If you answered yes, you understand the agony of restoring the damage a key and an angry ex can cause. If this is your first time dealing with it, we have a guide on how to fix a keyed car. Remember that this is not a task for the faint of heart, but it sure beats paying for the repair.
What You’ll Need to Repair a Keyed Car?
- Paint
- Brush
- Masking Tape
- Sand Block and Grain Paper
- Primer
- Clear Coat
- Polish or Wax
- Cloth
How to Fix a Keyed Car?
1. Washing the Car
First and foremost, thoroughly clean the damaged area. Make certain that any dirt is removed. This will also allow you to view the true degree of the damage that has to be repaired.
2. Drying the Car
After washing the automobile, thoroughly dry it with a clean microfiber cloth. Pay close attention to the affected area once more. Leaving it wet can make it difficult to apply paint.
3. Applying Masking Tape
To preserve the regions around the scratch, use masking tape to outline it. This will prevent you from causing more harm to the original paint when sanding. It will also protect the remainder of your car when applying many layers of new paint. If you want to avoid getting new paint anywhere else on your car, cover a larger area with old newspapers.
4. The Sanding to Fix a Keyed Car
Depending on the depth of the scratch, this stage may take a little longer. Spray some soapy water on the scratch and wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth to identify if it is a clear coat scratch (surface level). It is most likely a clear coat scratch if the scratch “disappears” and then reappears. A deep scratch will not fade if you sprinkle it with soapy water since the water will not temporarily cover that void. You should be able to see the layers beneath.
The amount of clear coat used by each company varies. Continue wet sanding a clear coat scratch with your 2000-3000 grit sandpaper until the scratch is scarcely visible. Make sure not to apply too much pressure to the dinged region while sanding. Apply mild pressure to the scratch to even it out. Do not try to rush through this phase; instead, take as much time as you need. Allow enough time for the area to cool before proceeding to the next procedure. Also, don’t worry if the final outcome is “cloudy.” This will be revealed when you wax/polish.
If your cut was all the way down to the primer. Sand the afflicted region with 1500 grit sandpaper first. Sand perpendicular to the scratch with wet sandpaper. Wipe clean with your cloth once this is even. Using 3000 grit sandpaper, sand the area in overlapping strokes both up and down and side to side. The idea is for the scratch to have an even surface and for everything to merge together.
Note: If your scratch was a clear coat scratch, you can move onto the polish step.
5. Applying the Primer to Fix a Keyed Car
Continue with these instructions if your scratch was deeper than the clear coat. When we gave you the supply list for this job, we mentioned that you could need a primer. Apply at least two thin layers of primer, allowing enough time for each coat to dry completely.
6. Applying the Paint to Fix a Keyed Car
When the primer has dried, you can begin applying the touch-up paint. There are a few possibilities for the application here. We chose pens and dropper-sized bottles with brushes. It’s critical to get the exact colour of your car while utilising touch-up paint. There are thousands of different colours of blue. This information is frequently available online in order to locate the OEM paint for a precise match.
Spray Paint
Holding the spray can 6 to 8 inches away from the damaged area is the best way to apply spray paint evenly. Using a steady side-to-side motion, apply multiple thin coats. Also, make sure to let go of the can tip at the end of each pass. Apply any possible paint trickles using the brush. Allow ample time for each coat to dry before proceeding.
Repeat these steps until you are certain that the level of new paint has reached the level of old paint (i.e., that there is no difference in height between the two).
7. Applying the Clear Coat
After you’ve applied all of the necessary coats of touch-up paint, it’s time to add some additional protection. A clear coat will be used for this. The same rules that apply to paint apply here. Remove the masking tape once you’re satisfied with the effect.
8. Waxing
Buff the afflicted region with your polish and microfiber towel until the hazy area is gone. After that, wax the afflicted area and let it dry before wiping it down with your microfiber towel.
Also Read: How to Fix Deep Scratches on Car?
