Abstract: A method for repairing a scratch in the clear top coat overlying a pigmented base coat on a metallic substrate, without damaging the pigmented base coat, involves the steps of applying an amount of a repair composition to the scratch at least sufficient to fill the scratch, spreading the composition into and over the scratch until the composition at least fills the scratch, removing excess composition, allowing the composition to air dry, sanding the dried composition to create a smooth, continuous surface at the site of the scratch and buffing the sanded surface with a fine polishing compound to establish a high gloss, clear coat surface at the site of the scratch. A desirable resin composition consists essentially of, in percent by weight of the composition, toluene 10-18%, n-butyl acetate 10-15%, ethyl acetate 0-5%, acetone 20-25%, acrylic resins 30-50%, surface tension reducer 0-0.5% and plasticizer/coalescent 0-3%.