There are a variety of things that can cause car paint scratches.Poor parking is one of the most common causes for a scratch or 2 on your perfect paint job.While scratches do detract from the appearance of your car, paying a body shop for a new coat of paint or even a small touch-up can be expensive.If the scratch is deep, you can try buffing it out with toothpaste, using a scratch removal product for small scratches, or sanding and painting it.
Step 1: To see if the scratches are surface or deep, run a fingernail over them.
Toothpaste might be a good option if you don't catch the scratches on the surface.You will need to use a professional scratch removal product if your fingernail catches on them.
Step 2: The scratched area needs to be washed and dried.
Make sure the area is clean before you apply toothpaste.Dirt and debris will make the scratches worse.You can either wash your car yourself or take it to a car wash.To wash your car yourself, spray it with a hose and remove the dirt and debris.Use a large sponge or car wash brush to wash your car.You can wash your car with soap and then use a hose to spray it off.You can dry your car with a towel.
Step 3: Put a quarter-sized amount of toothpaste on a towel.
The microfiber towel needs to be wet so that it doesn't get wet.Then, apply a quarter-sized amount of toothpaste to the towel, or a little more or less depending on the size of the scratch.Whitening toothpaste works best, but you can try removing the scratches with any toothpaste you have on hand.Rub the toothpaste with a microfiber towel to make sure it doesn't cause more damage.
Step 4: Rub the toothpaste into the scratched area with a circular motion.
You can buff out the scratches by moving the microfiber cloth in circles.The toothpaste needs to be distributed on the surface.You will need to apply some pressure, but not too much.
Step 5: If you have excess toothpaste, rinse it off.
After buffing out the scratches, rinse the area to remove excess toothpaste.To dry your car, spray it with a hose and then use a microfiber towel.The excess toothpaste can be wiped away with a wet microfiber towel.
Step 6: The process can be repeated up to 2 more times.
You may need to do more than one application to get rid of scratches.If the scratches are still visible, you can check the area and repeat the process 1 or 2 more times.If you do more than 3 applications, you may damage the clear coat of the car's paint.
Step 7: Don't leave dirt or debris in the scratch by washing your car.
It is important to make sure that the area is completely clean before applying any product or trying to buff it.When you buff the surface it will result in more scratches.Before applying soap to your car, spray it with a hose.To wash cars with soap, use a sponge or brush.You can wash your car with microfiber towels.It's important to use soap designed for washing cars.
Step 8: Purchase a scratch-removal product.
You can buy scratch-removal products at auto supply stores.The scratch-removal solution and buffing pad are included in the scratch removal kit.If you don't know what you want, ask a sales associate for help.People who work in auto supply stores are knowledgeable about these products.Since microfiber towels are gentle on the surface of your car, they are a good choice for applying scratch removal products.You can use a mechanical buffing tool to get rid of scratches.
Step 9: A quarter-sized amount of scratch-removal product should be applied to the pad.
Depending on the size of the scratched area, you may need more or less.If you want to work the product around the surface of the buffing pad or microfiber cloth, you have to pry it onto it.Before you start, make sure the product is distributed evenly on the cloth or pad.
Step 10: The product should be put into the scratched area.
You can use a back and forth motion to work the product.Don't switch directions if you want to cover the scratched area best.Go back and forth.Continue to work on the product for a while so that it is well distributed.As you work in the product, make sure to use light and medium pressure.
Step 11: The product should be wiped away.
After buffing the scratched area, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the excess product away.Use a circular motion to apply the product to the car's surface.The excess product should not be allowed to dry on the car's surface.The manufacturer has instructions on how to remove excess product.
Step 12: If needed, repeat 2 to 3 times.
If the scratches are still visible, check the area.The product application can be repeated 2 to 3 times if they are.If you do this too many times, you may damage the clear coat on your car.Proceed with another application if you don't check the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 13: The car should be washed and dried thoroughly.
If your car is dirty, it could cause more scratches.All of the dirt and debris can be removed by washing your car.You should rinse the scratched area a couple of times to make sure it is clean.Make sure to pay attention to the area you are repairing.Make sure to get any debris out of the scratched area by spraying it with water.After cleaning the area with soap formulated for use on cars, rinse it off with clean water.
Step 14: Remove the top layers of paint by sanding the scratched area.
Wrap 2000-grit wet/dry sandpaper around a sanding pad and begin sanding the scratched area.If you need to sand deeper, check the area for 10 to 15 seconds at a time.Sand in the direction of the scratch.You don't want to create opposing scratches, which will add more ridges and valleys to the paint that needs to be repaired.Check your progress by rinsing the area with water.You will be able to see if you have gotten to the bottom of the scratch.If the scratch is slightly deeper than the clear coat, use 1500-grit sandpaper to level the surface and then 2000-Grit to remove the scratches made by the coarser sandpaper.It's a good idea to avoid getting dirt or debris near the vehicle.This will cause scratching.
Step 15: It is a good idea to rinse and dry the area.
Sand the scratched area to remove the debris.To clean the surface, use a microfiber cloth.Old or dirty rags can cause more scratches on the surface of your car.
Step 16: Put a few coats of primer on the sanded areas.
Sandable primer can be found in an aerosol can.The primer should be sprayed on the area you just sanded.To spray the paint, use a back and forth motion.Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the primer to dry and then spray another layer.This will be done a total of 3 times.If possible, choose a primer that is close to the color of your car.It won't be an exact match, but your paint will be.
Step 17: You can match the paint on your car with a few coats of paint.
Next, apply the primer to the area where you applied the rest of your car's paint.Wait between each application for the paint to dry completely.If you want the paint to match, you have to check with your car's manufacturer.You can either purchase the paint from an auto supply store or order it from your car's manufacturer.
Step 18: To seal the paint, wax the area.
Apply a high-quality carnauba wax to the surface of your car and then buff the area with a buffer pad or microfiber cloth.You can purchase a waxing kit that includes everything you need to wax your car, such as the wax and a buffing pad or microfiber cloth.To start, apply a quarter-size amount of wax to the buffing pad or cloth.Press down on the pad or cloth with circular motions.The car's surface looks shiny if the wax is evenly distributed.