What are door handle scratches?
The dish behind a door handle gets fingernails dragged through it every day. The scratches are fine, curved, all the same way, and stay inside that dish.
What kind of repair does it need?
Polishing the dish. These scratches are in the clear coat and shallow, so they come out easily. The awkward part is the shape. A machine often will not fit, so it is usually done by hand.
Polishing works by taking a thin layer off the clear coat. Nothing is added. Clear coat is thin, so a good shop measures it before and after. If the fix would take off more than about 13 microns (0.5 mils), the panel should be repainted rather than polished. Ask what the reading was.
What to do next
Book a detailer and mention the handles. Ask for the handle dishes to be included in any polish. Ask about clear film cut for the handle dishes to stop it coming back.
Sources
- Chemical Guysproduct seller
A fine or ultra-fine polish is typically all that is needed. Look for a dedicated swirl remover or finishing polish.
- Sherwin-Williams Automotivepaint maker
a minimum film thickness of the clearcoat (2 mils) is required to maintain adequate ultraviolet protection
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