Fixing nicks and scratches as soon as they occur can do more than make your car look better. It can also make it last longer. That's because nicks and scratches, even those that don't go all the way to bare metal, are the first place that rust forms.

To fix a scratch, first determine your car's paint code, usually located on a badge under the hood, in a door jamb, inside the trunk or in some other hidden location. Find your car's code badge by checking a service manual or calling your local dealer.

At the auto parts store, match your paint code with the code in the paint-matching application guide. For small repairs, purchase a bottle of matching paint that has a brush built into the cap. If the scratch goes down to bare metal, purchase primer and metal conditioner.

Wash the repair area with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly and then dry with a lintfree cloth. Remove wax, grease and oil with a wax remover, acetone or lacquer thinner. If rust is present, scrape away as much as possible with a single razor-blade, then treat with a rust remover followed by a rust converter (See Rust Prevention Tip).

For bare metal that's rust free, apply metal conditioner according to container directions. Follow by brushing on two or three coats of primer, allowing five minutes between coats. Let the primer dry for thirty minutes before applying color coats.

After thoroughly mixing the color touch-up paint, apply two or three coats in one direction, allowing sufficient drying time between coats. If the original paint has a clear coat, apply two very thin coats of clear to achieve proper color match.

Let the repair dry for at least a week, then use fine polishing compound on a very wet rag to smooth out the repair. Be careful not to rub through the color. Follow up by waxing and polishing.