Prepare Paint

First up, grab the paint code from the vehicle. It’s usually hiding in the door jamb or under the hood. Swing by a local Supercheap Auto Superstore to get that paint mixed just right.

Clean Area

Time to clean up! Use wax and grease remover on the repair spot and the area around it.

NOTE: Use one cloth to apply and a different one to wipe it dry.

Mask Area

Mask off the repair area with some paper to keep the adjacent panels safe from overspray.

And don’t forget to reverse mask to avoid those sharp edges.

Sand Surface

Grab some 180 grit dry sanding paper and start sanding down the damaged area.

NOTE: If the damage is pretty bad, a more complicated repair might be in order.

Feather Edges

Next, feather the edges of the repair area using 320 grit sanding paper for a smooth transition.

Clean Surrounding Area

Give the repair area and its surroundings another clean with wax and grease remover.

NOTE: Use one cloth to apply and another to wipe it dry.

Prepare for Primer

Mask off the repair area again with tape and paper, getting ready for that primer surfacer.

NOTE: Reverse mask the area to avoid sharp edges.

Apply Multiple Coats

Spray on two to three medium coats of Color Spec primer surfacer. If there are any large bare metal spots, hit them up with Color Spec Etch Primer first.

NOTE: Shake that can like it’s a maraca for 5 minutes after the ball starts rattling. Keep an eye out for small dents in the can, too.

Let it dry for 5 minutes between coats. For the best finish, let it chill for 4 hours or overnight before sanding.

NOTE: After using the primer, flip the can upside down to clear the nozzle.

Fix Imperfections

Unmask the repair area and sand it down with 600 grit dry or 800 grit wet and dry sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections from the repair.

Apply Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound

Prep the surrounding area with Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound to help with adhesion.

Don’t touch the repair area with the compound!

Clean Repair Area

Give the repair area one last clean with wax and grease remover.

NOTE: Use one cloth to apply and another to wipe it dry.

Panel in Preparation for Paint

Mask off the entire panel with tape and paper to avoid overspray on the neighboring panels. Reverse mask the area to keep those edges clean.

NOTE: Do a test spray to ensure spray control is on point.

Leave for 5 Minutes

Spray on at least three coats of Color Spec base coat, making sure that primed area is fully covered for a perfect color match. Let it dry for 5 minutes between each coat. For best results, let it dry for 40 minutes.

NOTE: After painting, flip the can to clear the nozzle.

Apply Acrylic Clear Coat

Once the base coat is dry, slap on 2-3 coats of Colour Spec Acrylic Clear for UV protection and to match that original gloss finish. Blend the clear over a wider area than the repair. Let it dry for at least four hours or overnight.

Apply Smooth Gloss Finish

After everything’s dried, finish it off with Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound for that smooth gloss. If there are any dirt specs or imperfections, sand with 1500 grit wet and dry sandpaper first.

You’re Done

Boom! The repair is complete. Just remember to treat that fresh paint with care—give it at least 60 days before slapping on any wax.

What’s Next: For tips on keeping that showroom shine, check out how to maintain a glossy finish.