Repair scratches and repaint a car panel

Guided Shopping · scratched car panel

Guide to repairing scratches and repainting a car panel

Visible scratches need a clean feathered edge before repainting. Shallow marks may need primer filler only, while deeper scratches benefit from fine filler, careful sanding, matched colour and clearcoat protection.

What do you need to repair scratches and repaint a car panel?

Cleaning and degreasing

Mipa silicone remover in liquid format and Mipa silicone remover spray remove wax, grease and silicone before sanding or coating. Clean again after sanding so dust and fingerprints do not sit under the new finish.

Fine filler finishing

Mipa P 85 PE fine filler closes smaller scratches, pores and shallow surface defects after the main repair shape is formed. It helps prepare a smoother base before primer filler.

Colour and surface checking

MP ColourCheck Spray helps assess the colour and finish before the final clearcoat decision. Mipa Control Spray helps reveal sanding marks and low spots while the surface is still easy to correct.

Primer filler base

Mipa 2K Acrylic Primer Filler and Mipa Fast Filler Spray build a sandable base over repaired or keyed areas. They help level small scratches and sanding marks before the colour layer.

Basecoat colour layer

Mipa BC Ready Mixed Two Layer Basecoat creates the matched colour layer on the prepared panel, while Mipa BC Thinner VDG supports the spray viscosity required by the BC system.

Clearcoat protection

Mipa 2K HS Clearcoat CC 8, Mipa 2K HS Hardener HS 25 normal and Mipa 2K Thinner Normal V 25 form the gloss and protection layer after the basecoat has flashed.

Aerosol colour and clear method

Mipa Mix Acrylic Spray Paint and Mipa 2K Clearcoat Spray give a spray can method for smaller local repairs. Use this method when aerosol application suits the repair size and finish expectation.

Clearcoat edge solvent

Mipa 2K HS solvent supports the transition zone on smaller clearcoat repairs. It is useful where the new gloss layer needs to flow cleanly into an existing finish.

How to repair scratches and repaint a car panel

  1. 1
    Clean and assess the surface

    Remove wax, grease, dust and loose contamination from the scratched panel. Check whether the existing coating is sound enough to sand, or whether deeper repair work is needed first.

  2. 2
    Shape the repair area

    Apply the correct filler only where the panel needs shape correction, then sand with a block so the repair feathers into the surrounding paint without a hard edge.

  3. 3
    Sand and refine

    Key the surface evenly and remove sanding dust before coating. Use guide or colour checking where it helps reveal scratches, low spots or uneven preparation.

  4. 4
    Prime and sand the base

    Apply the suitable primer or primer filler for the exposed substrate and repair depth, then sand the dried primer until the surface is smooth enough for colour.

  5. 5
    Apply the colour layer

    Apply the matched colour in controlled coats over the prepared base. Keep the repair edge soft so the new colour can visually blend with the surrounding finish.

  6. 6
    Finish with clearcoat

    Apply the compatible clearcoat system after the colour layer has flashed. Let the coating cure before polishing or putting the panel back into normal use.

Which scratch repair products should you choose?

Fine filler method

Use Mipa P 85 for shallow scratches, pores and small defects after the scratch edge has been feathered.

Spray can method

Use the acrylic spray paint and 2K clearcoat spray for a limited local repair where a spray-gun method is not being used.

Clearcoat blend support

Use Mipa 2K HS solvent only on suitable clearcoat edge work where the repair needs a cleaner transition into existing gloss.

Technical details

  • If a fingernail catches in the scratch, the repair usually needs more than polishing.
  • Fine filler is for small surface defects and should be sanded smooth before primer.
  • Primer filler should cover exposed filler or sanded substrate before the colour layer.
  • The clearcoat layer restores gloss and gives the colour layer its final protection.
Practical suggestion

Do not chase the scratch only in a narrow line. Feather the surrounding paint enough to avoid a raised repair edge after colour and clearcoat.

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