Many of us have had to remove car scratch marks at some point. You may go to great lengths to avoid scratches but sooner or later, your car will bear the unavoidable marks. Scratches spoil the appearance of your car. They also reduce the resale value of your vehicle if not properly removed. Scratches are not the sort of thing you can afford to ignore for too long. It is best to deal with them as early as possible.
Fortunately, you need not take your car to a body shop for scratch removal. Use the following household items readily available in most homes to do the job. It’ll save you some bucks and improve the appearance of your car with just a bit of effort.
Step 1 - Wash the Panel
Wash the panel with soapy water. Choose a soap that is gentle, yet strong enough to cut through any grime you have picked up from your travels. Rinse and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. It's best to repair the scratch after the panel has been well cleaned.
Before you begin repairing a scratch on your car's paint, you should be sure it is really a scratch, not simply a mark. Often what appears to be a scratch may, in fact, may be only a removable mark. Washing the area allows you to make that important distinction.
Plus, washing the area can tell you a lot about the damage that exists on the vehicle. If you see the original color of the car under the scratch, it means it’s merely surface damage, which is easily remedied. If you see a white surface, that means it’s a deeper issue that will take some more TLC to fix.
Additionally, cleaning a surface completely will remove any small particles which could get dragged across the surface, resulting in more damage.
Step 2 - Shoe Polish
Use a soft cloth to apply some polish over the scratch. This will allow you to sand down the paint around the scratch. Try not to exceed the scratch level—if you do, you’ll cause more damage to the panel.
Step 3 - Sand the Scratch
Add two drops of liquid dish detergent into a bowl of cold water. Mix the solution well. Dip 2000-3000 grit sandpaper into the bowl, then sand the affected area. The slippery solution will enhance the action of the sandpaper. Use short light strokes to sand until all the polish disappears. You’ll have to re-dip the sandpaper in the soapy water as you work for efficiency. Be sure to work over the entire length of the scratch.
Step 4 - Clean
Brush all sand particles from the affected area with a soft brush. A clean surface is vital before you proceed to the next stage.
Step 5 - Buff
Use a washcloth to apply some rubbing compound on the scratched area. Work in a circular motion. As you buff, a haze will be produced. Use a terry cloth towel to lift the haze.
Step 6 - Wash
Clean the mended area with plain water and a soft cloth.
Step 7 - Polish
Work the area with a polishing wheel and compound. Once you notice that the area has a uniform appearance with the rest of the panel you can stop polishing. Wipe the area with a soft cloth to prepare the surface for wax.
Step 8 - Paint
In some cases, you may need to paint over the scratch to completely fix the appearance of your car. This step will likely require an item you don’t have on hand at your house—touch-up paint, which can come in several forms. For instance, it may come in the form of a marker or pen, making it easy to precisely touch up a scratch or mark. The very careful application of touch-up paint can make car scratches look like new. If the paint you get does not come in a marker form, use a very fine brush instead, and make sure the area is completely cleaned first.
If you need to get paint, ensure that it’s the exact shade of your car’s original paint. Look at your car’s identification number and use it to identify which paint you should buy from the automotive store. Let your work dry overnight.
Step 9 - Shine
Use a soft cloth to apply car wax over the area. Rub the wax in a circular motion to create a shine. Car wax acts as a protective layer for your car, helping to prevent further scratches. This final step will leave your car in good shape.
Tip
If you’re dealing with more of a raised mark than a scratch, you can still use household items to get rid of the issue. Use a damp cloth dipped in a bit of rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover, rubbing the cloth in a circular motion. Once the mark is gone, repeat the process with a fresh cloth that has been dampened with only water.
