DIY Smart Repair: Scratches, Stone Chips and Kerb Damage

DIY smart repair is worth it for small, superficial paint damage: scratches, stone chips and kerb damage on wheels can be touched up well with spray cans if the area is manageable and there is enough time for preparation and drying. Instead of repainting a whole part, smart repair on a car only rebuilds the damaged spot and makes the transition to the old paint invisible. Deep dents, bent wheels or large areas of paint damage on the body, on the other hand, belong in a specialist workshop.

In this article you'll learn what smart repair and spot repair in the glossary mean, which damage you can repair yourself, how the repair works step by step and what the material costs.

DIY smart repair: what is smart repair, what is spot repair?

Smart repair is the umbrella term for small, localised repairs on a vehicle – from paint damage to wheels to the interior. The goal: repair only as much as necessary instead of replacing parts or repainting them completely. Spot repair refers to the paint part of it: a small spot is sanded, primed, painted in the body colour and sealed with clear coat. At the edge, a blending paint makes the new and old paint merge without a visible edge.

What you can repair yourself – and what you can't

Damage that only affects the paint and is limited to a small area is well suited to DIY:

• Smart repair for scratches: superficial scratches in the clear coat and scratches that reach the base coat or primer but have not left a dent.
• Stone chips: small chips on the bonnet, bumper or sills – the sooner the better, before the exposed metal rusts.
• Kerb damage on wheels: scuffs and abrasion on the rim edge. The complete guide is Repairing kerb damage on alloy wheels yourself.
• Chipped clear coat on mirror caps, trim parts and individual spots on the wheel.

Deep dents, bent or cracked wheels, damage to safety-relevant parts and large areas of paint damage on the body belong in the workshop. And if you are not sure whether a wheel still runs true after hitting a kerb, have it checked before you repair it cosmetically.

Smart repair on a car: step by step

1. Clean and degrease: wash and dry the spot and degrease it with GLOSSDOC Silicone Remover. It removes silicone, grease, oil and release agents without residue – otherwise even the smallest traces cause fish eyes. Why isopropanol in the glossary or brake cleaner are not enough is explained in Silicone remover before painting.

2. Sand: smooth the damaged spot and lightly sand the surrounding area so the new layers get a mechanical grip. Remove the sanding dust and degrease again.

3. Mask: mask generously, but leave the transition area free – that is where you blend later.

4. Prime: prime exposed metal with GLOSSDOC 1K Epoxy Primer Grey. According to the product description it is an adhesion primer and rust protection on metal, aluminium and galvanised steel, suitable for spot repair work and can be overcoated with 1K and 2K paints. As a rule, 1–2 even coats are enough. Sand lightly once dry.

5. Base coat: apply your car's colour thinly in several coats and let it flash off.

6. 2K clear coat: seal with 2K clear coat in the same finish as the surrounding area. For spot repair, according to our category page, the 200 ml can is usually enough. How to plan the pot life in the glossary is explained in 2K clear coat spray can: application, pot life, shelf life.

7. Blend the transition: spray GLOSSDOC 1K Blending Paint onto the edge of the fresh clear coat. It dissolves the overspray so that no paint edge remains visible, and thanks to fast drying it can be polished early. Details in Using blending paint correctly.

8. Let it cure: keep it dust-free and only put it under stress or wash it once the clear coat has fully cured. The times are on the label.

Work in well-ventilated areas and wear gloves, safety glasses and, with 2K paint, a respirator with a suitable filter. The hazard and safety information on the label takes priority.

Smart repair and spot repair cost: DIY or workshop?

There is no flat rate for the workshop: the size and type of damage, colour, part and region determine the quote. So always get a quote for your specific damage.

For your own repair you can put an exact figure on the GLOSSDOC material (shop prices, as of October 2026):

• GLOSSDOC Silicone Remover 400 ml: €8.49
• GLOSSDOC 1K Epoxy Primer Grey 400 ml: €9.90
• GLOSSDOC 1K Blending Paint 400 ml: €9.90
• GLOSSDOC 2K Clear Coat 200 ml (gloss, satin or matt): €12.50

That comes to €40.79. On top of that you need a base coat in your car's colour as well as sandpaper, masking tape and microfibre cloths. Silicone remover, primer and blending paint usually last for several small repairs, while the activated 2K clear coat has to be used up within its pot life. Current prices are on the product pages; within Germany, shipping is free from an order value of €49. All products are in Car & Wheel Repair.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a smart repair last?

Carefully prepared and sealed with 2K clear coat, it is very durable. According to the product descriptions, our 2K clear coats are weatherproof as well as UV- and chemical-resistant. Most problems come from skipping degreasing or from coats that are too thick.

Is smart repair suitable for beginners?

Yes, with careful preparation. According to the product pages, the primer and blending paint are also intended for ambitious private users. Test the spray pattern and distance on a test piece first.

Can I remove scratches without painting?

Very fine scratches that are only in the top clear coat layer can often be reduced with a polish. If you can feel the scratch with your fingernail, it usually goes deeper and has to be rebuilt.

Does smart repair work on wheels too?

Yes. According to the product pages, the primer, blending paint and 2K clear coat are also suitable for wheel repairs. If the whole wheel is affected, the comparison Painting or powder coating wheels? helps.