Best and Easy Ways to Remove Scratches from any Car at home

Scratches, chipped areas, dents and other things caused by small collisions or accidents are unavoidable. Nonetheless, these are minor problems as a careful car paint scratch repair can make them nearly invisible.

The car paint is clear-coated catalysed enamel that is hardened by different types of toxic chemicals. This article will talk about three ways you can remove the scratches easily from a car:

Doing Car Paint Scratch Repair: The 3 Easy Ways

Car scratches are divided into 3 types: deep scratches, small scratches and surface scratches. So you might be wondering how to fix paint scratches on the car. Do not worry; with each type of car scratches, there are specific ways to fix them.

FIRST METHOD: Using paint to fix deep scratches on car

Deep scratches will get worse and worse if you repair them by using the wrong fixing method. To help you know how to fix a scratch on a car at home, here are 6 easy steps of DIY car paint scratch repair to do. They include;

Step 1: Washing and drying the car carefully

In this step, all you need is to wash your car thoroughly in order to remove all the debris and dirt. You have to pay special attention to the scratched area that you are going to repair so it does not peel off. Washing this area very carefully to make sure that it is extremely clean. Then use microfibers to dry your car.

Step 2: Sanding the scratched area

The second step of car paint scratch repair is sanding the scratched area. The purpose of this step is to strip away the top paint layers. Use 2000-grit sandpaper to sand the scratched area in about 10 to 15 seconds then check the area to know whether you need to sand deeper or not.

Please take note of the following:

• You should always sand the scratched area in the direction.
• You can rinse the scratched area with water if necessary to check your process
• Use 150-grit sandpaper if the scratch on your car is slightly deeper than the car clear coat.
• You should make sure that there is not dirt or debris between the vehicle and the sandpaper as this will result in scratching.

Step 3: Rinsing and drying the area

The next step of car paint scratch repair is rinsing away the dirt and debris left after sanding the scratched area. Then a clean microfiber is needed to wipe the car surface.

Note: Using dirty or old rags in this step is avoided as these could result in more scratches on your car surface since the rag may not be smooth in texture.

Step 4: Spraying a few primer coats onto the sanded areas

After sanding the scratched area, spraying some primer coats is the next thing in how to repair car paint scratches to fix deep scratches on the car. Spraying the primer coats on the paint in a back and forth motion is what you must do. Then, you should wait from 5 – 10 minutes for the primer coat to dry and then spray another layer.

Note: If possible, you should choose a primer that is close to your car paint colour.

Step 5: Applying a few paint coats that matches with your car colour

The next step of deeper car paint scratch repair is painting the same colour paint to where you applied the primer. It is recommended to wait from 5 – 10 minutes between each time; therefore the paint will dry completely.

Step 6: Waxing the repaired area to seal the paint

The last step of car paint scratch repair is waxing the repaired area to seal the paint. After painting your car with a few paint coats, then it is time for you to wax the painted area for sealing the paint. Use a microfiber cloth or a buffer pad to apply carnauba wax onto the car surface then start buffing the area.

Please take note: To do this job in the best way, you should press down on the microfiber towel or buffing pad with medium pressure then move them in circular motions. Keep waxing until you observe the car surface looks shiny.

SECOND METHOD: Removing small scratches by using a scratch removal product

According to auto experts, using removal products is one of the best ways to help you remove annoying small scratches on your beloved car.

Step 1: Wash your car

Before doing the car paint scratch repair process, first of all, you should wash your car to make sure that there is no debris or dirt staying in the scratch. Cleaning the scratched area carefully before applying any removal product is very important because any debris or dirt left on the car paint when buffing will result in more scratches. After, use automotive soap and microfiber towels or sponges to clean the car. Then dry it with microfiber towels to get ready for the next step.

Step 2: Purchase a scratch removal product

You can get a scratch removal product or kit at any auto supply store in Nigeria. These removal kits often include the solution for scratch removing and a buffing pad for applying the product.

Step 3: Apply a quarter-sized blob of scratch removal product to the pad

The amount of scratch removal product applied to the pad will depend on the size of the scratched area. Squirt the scratch removal product onto the microfiber cloth or buffing pad, and then you fold it in half to work the scratch-removal product around the surface of the cloth or pad.

Step 4: Work the removal product into and around the scratched area

For this step, you can work the product in a back and forth motion or a circular motion. You should choose which type of motion is the most comfortable for you and also best covers the scratched area best. However, once you start, do not change the direction as it could ruin it. Make sure that the removal product is well-distributed on the car paint surface.

Step 5: Rinse off any product residue

When buffing scratched area procedure is done, next is rinsing off any product residue. A clean microfiber cloth is needed to wipe away any excess product. Note that you should not let the removal product residue dry on your car surface.

Step 6: Repeat the process from 2 to 3 times if necessary

If you observe that the scratches are still visible, you can repeat the above process from 2 to 3 times. Do not do this process too many times as you can ruin the clear coat on your beloved car.

THIRD METHOD: Doing surface car paint scratch repair by a tube of toothpaste

Surface scratches are the easiest scratches to repair because they do not go deep and with only a tube of toothpaste, fixing these ugly scratches is under your hand.

Step 1: Inspecting the damage level of the scratches

First of all, you should check whether the scratches are surface or not by using your fingernail. To do the check, you run your fingernail over the chips, scratches or dents. If you find out that your fingernail does not catch any scratch, then it means that the scratches on your car paint are not so terrible, therefore using toothpaste to fix them may be a good method.

Step 2: Cleaning the scratched area

Before applying toothpaste to the scratches, you must wash the damaged area and then dry it because rubbing debris and dirt into the scratched area will make the scratches become worse. To clean your car properly, you can take it to a car wash or simply wash it yourself. If you want to wash it yourself, you should use a hose spraying all over the car to remove the majority of the debris and dirt. Next, apply automotive soap to your car by using a car-washing brush or a large sponge. Use them to wipe all surfaces of your car; you should make sure that all the car surface is covered with soap. After that, it is time to spray it off by using the hose. Then use a dry, clean towel to dry your car.

Step 3: Applying a quarter-sized amount of toothpaste to a dampened microfiber towel

Using whitening toothpaste is better than other types of toothpaste to remove the scratches but if you do not have this type, you can use any toothpaste you have on hand. You need to apply enough toothpaste to a clean, soft, microfibre to ensure that when you rub the scratches this way, the process does not cause more damage.

Step 4: Rubbing the toothpaste into the damaged area in a circular motion

Move the microfiber towel in small circles on your car paint to buff out the scratches. Keep doing this until the toothpaste is well-distributed on the car paint. Applying the toothpaste will require you to use some pressure, but not too much that would damage the scratch the more.

Step 5: Rinsing off any excess toothpaste

When buffing out the scratches is done, the next thing to do is spray thoroughly with a hose to remove the excess toothpaste. Then use a microfiber towel to dry the area.

Step 6: Repeat the whole process up to 2 times

Using toothpaste to get rid of surface scratches may not be effective the first time. You may need to repeat the whole process 1 or 2 more times if necessary. Then check the damaged area to see whether the scratches are still visible or not.

Note: You should not do the process more than 3 times as if you do the process too many times, you may ruin the clear coat of your car paint.