Questions on fixing scratch

[shizats]

Okay, I've got a question about a scratch on my passenger side door that is about a quater of an inch wide and about 6 inches long. It's just really an eye sore and I want to fix it up now that the snow is melting and I don't have to worry about cold metal. So I've bought some touch up paint with an applicator that is both a brush and a rolling ball. I'm afraid that if I just use this it will cover the scratch but be really noticeable still. I've heard of wet sanding but I'm not sure if that applies to my situation. Anybody want to give me some advice or should I go back to the shop where the truck was painted over a year ago and ask him to touch it up?

[TexasGuy001]

I have used that same thing on my black truck a few times before. You can still notice it a little, but it looks better than the scratch or chip it is covering up. It definitely is not 100% perfect though. I wouldn't start using it on every little surface scratch, just on major noticable scratches. Try not to put it on too thick. Maybe a light application, and then a second light applecation over that. Make sure there is not any rust and then wipe the area with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohal and let evaporate before applying the touch up paint.

[shizats]

Great. Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a try the next few nice days.

[78stepside429]

if its more of a scuff than a scratch, try some rubbing compound. If its not too deep, try wet sanding with 1500-2000 grit and apply a glaze or a wax to it. If its deep, use the touch up paint, let it dry where its not real tacky and buff over it to blend it. Thats what they do in those scratch removal/paintless dent removal places. I hope you have smooth sailing with it.

[GreenHornet79]

See what a detail shop would say. They can give you a good estimate of the depth of the scratch. This will let you know whether touch up paint or some compound is what you need.