The appearance of a car speaks better than words about its owner. The surface of the body can tell a lot about its owner. Firstly, the quality of a car's exterior is determined by its paintwork. Its appearance will tell you how the car owner cares for his car. However, in today's conditions it is impossible to imagine a car body without scratches and other damage to metal parts.
No matter how careful the owner is, it is impossible to maintain the paintwork in perfect condition without special products (pencils or varnishes). In this article we give an overview and description of products, mainly pencils, but for comparison we will look at the RENUMAX scratch remover.
Different caliber of scratches on the car body
Reasons for the formation of cracks of different sizes and depths:
- Small stones from under the wheels;
- Sharp blades of trees and bushes;
- Sharp metal objects;
- Birds, dogs, cats;
- Careless car washing and other external factors.
- Light - microscratches, the depth of which does not exceed 20 microns. They are not visible at night. But in bright light, a cobweb with a lot of scratches is clearly visible on a dark car. They are mainly produced during car washing;
- Medium - small scratches penetrating the bottom layer of car enamel. These are traces that remain after branches, sharp metal objects;
- Severe - deep scratches that penetrate to the ground. They remain in the body of the car after an accident, impact or collision with a railing.
Having received RENUMAX, I immediately tested it. I followed the instructions: I shook the bottle. Then carefully applied the product to the scratched surface. I waited a few minutes and... Read More
How to remove scratches on interior plastic 4 methods to choose from
Renault Logan Silver Logbook 016 Replacing the air filter. TO1-1
- Minor scratches. Most often, they form a whole web, since they arise in places that are constantly exposed to the same type of influence. They will be the easiest to deal with, despite their abundance;
- Deep scratches or cuts. They can be found anywhere, as they are the result of rough physical contact with something sharp, but most often they appear on door trims as a result of loading a large item. They can be removed, although in more complex ways than defects of group 1;
- A combination of types 1 and 2 damage with the consequences of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Naturally, the dashboard burns out. In combination with even minor scratches, the appearance is terrible and cannot be removed with home remedies.
- The area to be repaired is washed and dried;
- The hair dryer is turned on to minimum and directed towards the defect. There is no need to hold it at one point - move along the damage not quickly, but not too slowly.
- The surface is cleaned again with water and detergent and dried - dirt that has accumulated in the defects will not allow them to heal well;
- The paste is applied to the damage using a soft dishwasher or foam rubber;
- Wait the time indicated on the package - usually about 5 minutes. The signal that you are ready for polishing will be the formation of a whitish coating;
- It is better to polish by hand: there are not many plastic surfaces in the interior, and the strong heat of a sander can damage them beyond repair.
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How can you remove scratches from a car's paintwork?
There are many auto chemical products on the market for local damage treatment and emergency restoration of the protective layer. Traditionally they are divided into 3 main types.
Wax pencils
One of the most popular and widely advertised methods of restoring car paint is special pencils. The main advantage of a wax marker is that its application does not require special preparation and you do not need to choose a varnish. After treating body damage with a wax pencil, even deep scratches are filled with wax and a dense, moisture-resistant layer is formed on the surface.
Gel
Small tubes filled with a gel-like substance are useful for masking paint scratches. In addition, they are available in a wide range of colors, so the owner can easily choose a corrector that matches the car’s paintwork. Once the gel is applied to the damaged area, it evenly fills the cracks and hardens within an hour when exposed to sunlight or another source of UV light.
Combined
The aforementioned sticks mask shallow scratches that go deeper into the underlying enamel. However, if the vehicle's body has been damaged down to the ground, it is recommended to repair the paint on site using a compact kit that includes
- Polymer corrector with coating restoration function;
- Varnish;
- Degreaser.
Some auto chemical manufacturers supplement kits with napkins. However, this does not matter, because at the request of the customer, such a kit is assembled independently. It will be cheaper and the paint stick paint will blend better with the car paint.
What to do if the scratches on the plastic are very deep
Previously, we described the most popular options for removing damage to plastic. But what if they are very deep, then how to remove scratches on the plastic in the car? There is no need to despair, there is also an effective solution to this problem; of course, it will require more effort from the car owner, but if used correctly, the result will exceed all expectations!
You will need a small piece of plastic, the color palette matching the part of the surface being repaired. It is recommended to take the material from the inside of the plastic, for example from the partition. These actions will not cause any harm to the design of the parts.
Dichloroethane can be purchased in this format.
The plastic must be dissolved in a substance such as dichloroethane. Apply the resulting consistency evenly to the damaged areas. While the surface being treated has not completely hardened, it can be made into any desired shape.
Polishing plastic parts cannot completely hide scratches; it can only refresh their appearance. It is completely inappropriate on a rough or matte surface.
Door thresholds are also not suitable for polishing; they cannot be repaired at all; it is easier to replace them with other parts.
Leveling large scratches:
- a compound must be applied to the damaged area, which, if used correctly, should completely fill the scratch. It is selected according to the type and general properties of the material being repaired;
- the damaged area is rubbed very carefully;
- then a textured pattern is applied to the entire surface of the part being repaired. To do this, the surface is coated with a special plasticizer gel. And after it has completely hardened, the gel is removed, and only the resulting pattern remains;
- Next, tinting and painting are performed.
Removing flaws on the plastic in a car is a rather labor-intensive process. If you are not confident in your abilities, use the services of a service station.
Features of types of markers and their use
Markers and correctors are similar in use, but have different consumer properties. Some are better for micro scratches, others for surface scratches, and others are better for repairs.
Wax car pencils
Wax-based markers are the most common and inexpensive. Their task is to protect the body from corrosion in places where the paintwork is damaged. Attractive price, moisture resistance and ease of application have made wax sticks popular among domestic car owners.
Gel markers
Scratches on the varnish are difficult to disguise with paint. This is where polymer gel markers come to the rescue. Penetrates into cracks, penetrates the paintwork and hardens. Before applying the drug to the car body, shake the container, because the polymer gel has a thick consistency. After applying the drug to the damaged area, it is necessary to quickly remove its excess from the surface of the car body so that it does not harden on the paintwork. The polymer gel hardens when exposed to solar radiation. Therefore, in sunny weather, it is recommended to treat scratches on the car with gel chalk. When choosing a gel pencil, do not forget to choose the right pigment that will match your body color.
Repair or restoration
The deeper the scratch penetrates, the more paint on the car, the more difficult it is to find a suitable pencil. In the most severe cases it helps with enamel. To make it more convenient to work with, it is sold not in the usual marker format, but in the form of a bottle with a brush. The viscosity of the enamel helps fill the microcracks caused by microcracks. It is recommended to apply the product in layers until the damaged varnish layer is filled. To obtain a positive effect, the car body should be thoroughly dried, protected from scratches, and the repaired areas polished. Conventional sealants take longer to dry than other similar chemicals.
Removing scratches and chips: do pencils and correctors work?
Absolutely all cars on the roads are subject to real bombing. Of course, we are not talking about military operations, but about real “queues” of stones, sand, garbage and other joys of road life. Within a few weeks of use, the car's body will develop chips, scuffs, nicks and scratches. This is even more offensive when the car is new or almost new. Repainting damaged parts is expensive and unfortunate - then prove it wasn't the result of an accident. But driving with scratches on the body is annoying. What to do? For using concealers for retouching. Let's see how effective they are in today's test.
Let us immediately note that such “budget” solutions are designed for single chips and small scratches, and if there are minor damages or scratches with dents on the car body, no amount of retouching will help. Either a machine part will resemble a pimple on the face, or the work of a small child who grabbed paint. Professional artists are extremely skeptical about such retouching tools, even in the hands of amateurs. But, to be honest, not everyone has CASCO insurance, and not everyone is ready to spend it on cosmetic repairs and then receive a double renewal rate. There is also no desire to pay five to seven thousand rubles for a painting element. So there is a demand for all kinds of “slingshots” that allow local motorists to correct body defects, that is, the so-called “anemia”.
We decided to take into account the most popular options for removing chips and scratches, which can be purchased at any automotive supermarket or car market.
Redeemer of runway scratches
Ingredients: pine oil, silicone oil, coconut fatty acid diethylamide, glycerin, acrylic resin, glycerin, isopropyl alcohol, fragrance.
Country of origin: China
Price - 252 rubles.
A product with an equally loud name, judging by the inscription on the packaging, offers us a unique composition for removing all scratches and chips, regardless of the color of the car. The latter fact is extremely attractive because it saves the car owner from having to choose a paint color.
Wax concealer Lux Color
Ingredients: natural and artificial waxes, color-containing polymer, corrosion inhibitor.
Country of origin: Russia
Price - 98 rubles.
The only representative of the test that offers us not only to paint over the damage, but also to complete it. However, not everything is so simple: in addition to the mandatory degreasing and subsequent polishing, you need to apply the product to the body. The application area must be heated to a temperature of 35-40 ° C, then apply the product in a transverse direction, compact and polish with the supplied wipes. Finally, we suggest polishing the area with polishing liquid.
Vika Express Car Polish
Ingredients: not illustrated
Country of origin: single place of packaging (Yaroslav)
Price - 200 rub.
Basically, a small bottle of paint and a brush. In our case it is red. The lack of information about the composition and place of manufacture is compensated by the fairly well-known name of the manufacturer and the microcommand: the manufacturer strongly recommends not only degreasing the area, but even priming it. Whether anyone will do this is a big question.
Auto enamel Kudo
Composition: synthetic enamel.
Country of origin: Russia
Price - 200 rubles (+200 rubles for a set of supplements).
Another bottle of varnish and a brush, most reminiscent of nail polish not only externally, but also internally. The blue paint is saturated with pearl inclusions. It's hard to imagine anyone driving a car this color, let alone painting it regularly. The instructions also suggest preparing the surface by degreasing and getting rid of loose rust. Everything necessary for both is sold separately by the same company at a price of another 200 rubles.
Car enamel Motip
Composition: undefined
Country of origin: Germany
Price - 200 rub.
The third option is a brush and quick-drying acrylic paint. The manufacturer promises to create a protective layer; the instructions also require degreasing the surface and observing the specified operating temperature - 15-25 ° C.
Official paint repair kit (Peugeot)
Composition: undefined
Country of origin: Germany
Price - 800 rub.
In addition, car manufacturers themselves are reluctant to produce dimmers. They are produced by almost all companies, including Mercedes-Benz. The main advantage is that the same paint that is used on the car is available. Therefore, it matches the factory paint code, minimizing the risk of color mismatch. Additionally, OEM touch-ups are sold in kits - a can of spray paint is attached to a can of paint, which is applied later and theoretically allows you to buff out the damaged surface.
Tests
After the tests, we will not talk in detail about each car paint individually, because they are all used according to the same principle. Therefore, we will only list their features.
First of all, it should be said that since all the tests were carried out in the tin shop of one of the official dealers in St. Petersburg, we had absolutely all the tools necessary for painting work, including a technical hair dryer. However, we did not use all these things, except for the degreaser - this is much more realistic: it is unlikely that a car owner, having bought a tube of paint for 200 rubles, will buy another package of related tools and chemicals.
The first thing when buying a retouch, of course, is to choose the color and even the shade. It is worth remembering that no one has canceled the burnout and fading of the original paintwork, so even an ordinary repair kit, selected according to the code, can be much brighter than the natural color of the car. It's best to bring a vehicle element, such as a gas filler flap, or ask for multiple options on any hard surface. In the latter case, you will be able to see the shade when it dries.
Even professional craftsmen are not afraid to tint enamel. True, their work requires serious surface preparation, and after painting, multi-layer polishing.
The brush is another important element. The amount of paint absorbed depends on the quality of the fluff, its length and collection into a bundle, and therefore the accuracy of matting, of course, taking into account the “evenness” of the car owner’s hands. It is better to pick up especially small shavings with a toothpick, just like a tattoo artist.
So, of all the samples tested, only the Kudo sprayer caused problems. Firstly, out of ten standard samples it is impossible to find even an indirect shade of blue, and secondly, the spray bottle has the least comfortable brush due to the wide lid and long bristles that bend in all directions. It's difficult to work accurately.
Vika Express, Motip and Peugeot car enamels turned out to be similar in ease of use, with the Vika canister being the most accurate in color, and after drying the varnish completely merged with the surface. The same can be said for the standard Peugeot kit, except that it must be filled with two layers of varnish and therefore the dosage of varnish must be controlled.
The most difficult task was the Motip car paint, which had to cover large and, above all, already rusty chips on a badly burned black car. There's not much you can do here because fresh black paint will certainly stand out from the rest of the surface, but it's still much better than noticeable rust spots. But it should be noted that automobile enamels are not anti-corrosion compounds, and no one knows how long the paint “stain” will remain on rusty metal. Consciously, of course, such damage must be preceded by a full range of preparatory work.
Important! In the instructions you can often find information that excess paint from the surface should be removed. In the process of work, we found out that it is much more correct to dose the amount of paint rather than touch it later. It is very difficult to thoroughly remove excess paint: it either rubs unpleasantly or takes on more. The paint absorbs microscopic particles, microdust and microfiber even with a special cloth.
Wax concealer Lux Color
The cheapest tool for dealing with splashes and scratches. This is a colored wax in the form of a pencil, which fills cavities due to friction with the surface. Once applied, remove excess sawdust from the pencil and buff the surface by hand with the provided cloth.
First of all, it must be said that when choosing a color for such a pencil, you need to choose a shade of a darker color. So the black shade turned out to be dark gray, so the white scratches are not erased, but only become gray. In any case, it is unlikely that you will be able to choose exactly the same shades from completely different materials.
It is also advisable to have a heating element on hand, since the pencil composition melts more efficiently than it rubs. The manufacturer also promises an anti-corrosion function, since the wax prevents the penetration of moisture. In addition, the pencil turned out to be the easiest to use, not counting the desired heating. Overall a good option for small scratches, such as from tree branches. It won't be able to completely hide anything, but it will completely retouch the white undercoat.
Redeemer of runway scratches
This product uses the most unique anti-scratch and anti-splash system. The main feature of the pencil is its transparency, which means that the marker is completely unrelated to the color of the car, which is extremely convenient. The principle of operation is simple: the pencil acts as a solvent, almost instantly diluting your own car paints at the point of application. In fact, the original paint covers the damaged area with a 100% color guarantee. In our opinion, this is the best tool for dealing with even deep scratches.
However, this marker does not cope well with wide scratches and large splashes. To deal with them, you need to dissolve a lot of paint around the stain to fill the damage. Firstly, the resulting stain is much larger than the painted area, and secondly, it has an irregular shading rather than a smooth and even drop, as is the case with car paint. Admittedly, the skepticism we shared with auto body shop workers about tinting additives, disappeared a little by the end of the test. Yes, none of the tested products is a panacea; they leave obvious traces of use. But, each in its own way, they all cope tolerably with single and not too large damage to the paint, removing noticeable chips and scratches. At least they stop annoying, and this is important.
How does a car restoration pencil work?
Restoration pencils for repairing damaged paintwork work on the principle of the same materials (primers, paints and varnishes) that are used in regular car painting. The difference lies in the accelerated drying time and the generally small volume of materials in the pencils, sufficient only for working with small areas.
To understand which pencils will be optimal for a particular damage, let’s consider the main types of paintwork defects.
- Surface scratch or abrasion. With this defect, only the varnish or top layer of paint is damaged without exposing the primer. Here it is better to use polishing. However, if it is not possible to polish the damage, you can use a quick-drying pencil varnish. The effect will be worse than polishing, but if applied correctly, the defect will be partially hidden.
- Scratch to primer. In this case, you can use either just one touch-up pencil or a combination of them: first tint, and after the paint has dried, cover the defect area with varnish. The appearance of soil is already considered significant damage, which after some time will cause the appearance of open corrosion or swelling of paint around the perimeter of the defect.
- A chip or scratch until the metal is exposed. Here it is best to approach the repair comprehensively, using three pencils. First, apply quick-drying primer. Apply the most suitable paint on top. We coat the top with varnish.
If you need to temporarily (up to 1 month) protect the metal from the penetration of moisture and salts, regardless of the type of damage, you can use only one restoration pencil with paint or varnish. This is relevant if a decision is made to repaint the element. And the pencil paint will play the role of protection against corrosion before the repair begins.
Before using any tinting pencils, the surface to be treated must be cleaned of dirt, dried from water and degreased. Otherwise, if you do not prepare the defect for repair, after washing the protective layer created with a pencil may collapse.
What's the result?
The key to the effect is proper preparation and accuracy of work. And the main conclusion: each product is good in its own way, so it’s worth buying them as a set, choosing a color. For small scratches it is better to use a wax pencil, for deep ones - a dissolving marker. It is better to deal with chips, especially large ones, with automotive enamels, and then it would be a good idea to polish the surface.
Small chips and scratches on the body of your favorite car are common. Unfortunately, such banal malfunctions cannot be avoided, because the car is constantly exposed to the aggressive influence of not only the environment, but also the “hard ride” of oncoming drivers - stones or hail the size of a penny can jump out from under the wheels. . In general, you won’t be bored!
Advantages and disadvantages of use
Such pencils are indeed very convenient and cheap compared to car service services, but along with the advantages there are also disadvantages.
The pencil can be used more than once
What attracts car owners is primarily the benefits. If completely eliminating a scratch, especially a deep one, will cost a lot of money in a workshop, then buying a special pencil will be cheap. Moreover, you can use it more than once - one tube can be enough for several dozen defects if the owner cannot protect the car body from chips and scratches.
In second place in terms of attractiveness is the ability to use it independently and quickly. The pencil can be placed in the trunk and used on site as soon as the damage has been sustained. This is undeniably more convenient than dropping everything and going to a car service center. A pencil for removing scratches on a car allows the driver, albeit superficially, to immediately take care of the appearance of the car.
Disadvantages of car anti-scratch pencils:
- on expensive cars it looks undignified and stupid;
- some types are washed off during washing;
- a low-quality pencil for removing scratches and chips may not match the color of the factory paint, even if the packaging says otherwise;
- fragility;
- the result of painting is almost always visible up close;
- The composition of cheap pencils can be harmful to the coating.
The significance of these shortcomings is determined by the car enthusiast’s attitude to the problem. If it’s just a means of transportation, and not a valuable item, it’s not worth sacrificing much money and comfort.
Very popular correction pencil
Anti-chip paint on Sikeo body (4 colors)
Delivery within Russia: free!
Customer Feedback:
Review #1: The plaster scratches well. After opening the package it does not dry out for a long time. Thanks for quick delivery.
Review #2: The paint is liquid and dries very quickly. While I was painting scratches on the car body, some of the paint dried out. The tube spills easily when you tilt it, so keep that in mind. The color is white, slightly different from the case. Overall not bad, time will tell if it holds up.
Review #3: Excellent repair paint. Regardless of whether to paint two chips, one large and one small, the paint is excellent, it shines just like the original, passed the two wash test. Previously, I tried to repair “pencils” from our stores; more expensive, unpainted areas were “washed off” with dirt after washing, but Chinese paint dries quickly, holds well, and shines. The chips are well painted over the entire surface. I recommend the product and the seller.
Seller's Credibility: Excellent!
How to remove a small scratch from plastic
Polishing plastic from scratches
The first two methods are suitable for very minor damage. In the first case, the surface is heated. Using a hairdryer is, of course, safer. An open flame near plastic creates the preconditions for a fire. A hairdryer can be both household and construction. You should not direct the hot jet to one place; you need to heat the entire surface very gradually so as not to melt the part.
If you decide to use a lighter, you need to purchase a so-called turbo lighter. It is easily identified by the blue color of the flame. It's best to first practice on some plastic object that you don't mind throwing away
Act quickly and carefully, don't burn a hole
The method is based on the ability of heated plastic to soften and heal minor damage. Never touch hot material unless you want to leave fingerprints or completely deform the part. Such damage cannot be repaired.
The second method is reminiscent of regular kitchen cleaning. Special towels and napkins are made from polymer microfiber. This type of fabric is called microfiber and is used in a variety of cleaning products. Your favorite car is no different from a kitchen item. Any car owner who wants to keep their car clean should have a set of towels. Then, no matter where you are, you will have the opportunity to remove a dirty or greasy stain. If you find minor damage to the inner surface of the car, just rub it vigorously for two to three minutes.
Now you know how to remove a scratch from the plastic of a car interior if it is a microdefect. But what to do when the flaw is serious?
Polishing car interior plastic from scratches
If you find a deep enough mark from your keys or another metal object, you need an anti-scratch car interior plastic polish. There are a variety of products available on the market and they are used in different ways. There are supporters of grinding machines. Other experts believe that plastic can only be processed by hand. Whatever you choose, the sequence of actions is standard.
They start working with compounds with larger abrasive grains and end up with “velvet” ones. At the end - a restorative paste. Polishes not only restore the appearance of parts, they can protect against fading under the influence of the sun and provide an antistatic effect.
How to repair scratches on plastic in the interior quickly and reliably? Try a wax pencil. Keep in mind that a quality product will be quite expensive, but you can keep it for the future and use it again. Basically, it's not even a pencil. This is a small bottle filled with the appropriate substance.
Your actions are completely primitive: use a sharp end to shade the damaged area, wait for the composition to harden, and polish. Of course, the result will not always satisfy you. It is often not possible to find a pencil of the appropriate color. In addition, the damage does not disappear, but is masked. But for some time the plastic panel will look quite decent. When the opportunity arises, you can contact a specialist or deal with the problem yourself.
Alternative methods
Craftsmen offer a variety of ways to “cure” plastic.
- GOI paste, which is used for polishing jewelry. Apply a little paste to a soft cloth, then wipe the damaged surface until it is in satisfactory condition. At the end, rinse the part thoroughly to remove any remaining paste;
- Another rather exotic method is the restoration of plastic with plastic. To do this, you need to melt a little plastic, then dissolve it in white spirit, rub the resulting composition into the damaged area. After the mixture has hardened, polish the part.
You can choose a very reliable, but difficult technique - to paint whatever you want. This is expensive and difficult, but this way all defects will disappear. Consult a specialist, assess your abilities and financial capabilities. If you're willing to take the risk, be prepared for long, hard work, but when you're done, you'll feel like a jack of all trades.
What methods of removing scratches do you know? Share your knowledge in! And also watch a video about restoring plastic inside a car.
Marker for removing scratches from car body HEONYIRRY
Delivery within Russia: free!
Customer Feedback:
Review #1: Delivery took 15 days. Everything is fine. I tried to erase the scratches, the small ones helped. Deeper ones cannot be repaired. I can not do it anymore.
Review #2: Tested. The product appears to be doing its job. Price and amount plus check-in, everything is in perfect condition, I think it’s pretty good for the money. I'll check much later. It’s a pity that it’s already cold in the garage; waiting for delivery took quite a long time.
Review #3: The markers came out great, delivery was very fast. The markers hold up well. The perfect marker is worth the effort!
Price: From $82.04 (check price and discounts). (check price and discount).
Quick-drying marker against chips on car body VODOOL (11 colors)
Seller's Credibility: Excellent!
Delivery within Russia: free!
Customer Feedback:
Review No. 1: Good marker, draws well, does not wash off, did not match my color a bit, covered up the scratches, at least now they are not visible, the volume is not enough, I will order more.
Review #2: The trip to Moscow took about a month and a half. My boyfriend says he's never tested for anything, but the quality is good. When the paint runs out, you can add more. I recommend the seller and the product.
Review #3: Good marker. Paint spreads well. You can paint over all the imperfections of the mask. I'll order a few more for spares.
Price: from 99.79 rub. (Check the discount). (check price and discounts)
Indelible marker for repairing chips HALOYiVGO (20 colors)
Seller Reliability: Excellent!
Delivery within Russia: free!
Customer Feedback:
Review #1: Delivery 45 days to 28 regions. The color will probably hit the jackpot, time will tell. I recommend the seller. Thank you.
Review #2: Good paint, suitable for minor repairs. I will recommend it to my friends. By the way, the color is my favorite color and no problem.
Review #3: Delivery time is a month. The seller responded immediately. The color is beautiful, metallic, I only tried it on paper, I think the color is not bad. I think the paint will stick well. Sufficient for minor scratches. Everything is wrapped in film, everything is fine).
Price: from 78.65 rub. (check price and discount)
