No one wants to find scratches on their car. Learn how to remove unsightly scratches from your car to preserve its shiny beauty and resale value.
Finding scratches on your car is always disappointing - even more so if your car is new. Many car owners wonder how to remove scratches as quickly and easily as possible.
How to remove scratches from a car
Automotive paint consists of several layers: a primer, a primer, and a topcoat (also known as a clear coat). Some car owners also wax their car for a final coat of shine and protection. How much damage a scratch can do to a car depends on how many layers of paint it has penetrated.
How to Repair Shallow Car Scratches
Tiny scratches and swirl marks are common, but luckily they are also easy to wear off. These abrasions are usually caused by tiny dust or dirt particles rubbing along the car during the car wash/drying process.
To avoid light marks on your car paint job, remember:
Never use a towel or cloth to dry the dust off the car
Only clean the car after a thorough rinse
Rinse the sponge or gloves properly when washing the car
Dry your car only with clean, damp chamois, and only after cleaning the car thoroughly
Avoid outdated or poorly maintained automatic car washes
Avoid harsh cleaning, polishing or polishing products.
While finish scratches may be so small that you consider ignoring them, they can still affect your car's resale value. These scratches can also allow sunlight to fade your car's paint: one of the purposes of topcoats is to keep the color from fading.
o To repair light scratches or minor swirls, you will need two clean microfiber towels and a scratch removal product, which you can find at auto stores and some supermarkets. "There are many products on the market that can remove minor scratches and swirl marks," says John Farrugia, Senior Repair Specialist at IAG.
Stain remover products clean and polish light marks, blending them seamlessly into the rest of the finish. They are also known as light cutting compounds. "The deeper the scratch, the more abrasive the cutting fluid you need to use," Farrugia said.
To remove minor scratches, simply:
Thoroughly wash and dry your car
Apply a small amount of scratch removal product to a microfiber towel
Spread the product over the marker, plus a 60cm radius around the marker
Rub with moderate pressure and overlapping circular motions for about 60 seconds
Let the product dry until cloudy
Remove dried product with a fresh, ultra-soft microfiber towel
Repeat until the marks are ground off.
Make sure to do this in the shade when the panel is cool and washed before polishing, as dirt can cause more scratches.
How to Repair Deep Scratches on Cars
Deeper scratches or damage usually appear white because they have stripped the topcoat and primer to reveal the primer. They can be caused by the car being scratched by objects, vandalism such as car keys, or environmental factors such as hail or stone chips.
"If the paint is damaged and the primer is exposed, the only way to fix it is to paint the panel," Farrugia said. "If you're not sure how much paint is on your vehicle, or if you can feel scratches with your fingernails, or if the scratches are near sharp body lines, it's best to discuss it with a professional."
To repaint heavily scratched panels, you'll need more equipment: 2,000 grit sandpaper, masking tape, auto primer, auto paint container, topcoat product, and polish with a polishing cloth. You can buy these supplies from an auto store. To determine your car's exact paint color, look for the paint code inside the driver's door or call your dealer or manufacturer for assistance. Manufacturers usually sell small containers of paint to car owners if you ask.
For the best removal of deep car scratches:
Thoroughly wash and dry your car
Seal the repair area with masking tape to protect the surrounding paint job
Sand the scratched area with 2,000 grit sandpaper in one direction until you see metal
Apply one coat of automotive primer according to product instructions
After the primer dries, paint over the primer (color paint) as per product instructions
Once the paint dries, apply the topcoat per product directions (spray more over the repaired area for maximum mixing)
After the topcoat dries, polish the area with a polish until it matches the rest of the car.
How to Repair Rusty Car Scratches
If the scratch is deep enough to reveal the metal body of the car, it has penetrated every layer of paint. Air, water, dirt, and other particles will start to collect on the metal and rust quickly.
Rust is a serious problem and needs professional help. "Rust is not only unsightly and devalues your vehicle, but if left untreated, it can develop into holes," Farrugia said. “Depending on where these holes are located, this can cause other problems. If the trim gets wet, it can get moldy, which can be a health issue. The trim can rot, leading to expensive repairs. In the worst case, raw Rust can cause structural problems in vehicles that can weaken them in the event of a crash."
To repair scratches that have drilled into the metal body of your car, you should take your vehicle to a car scratch repair shop.