Scratches are among the most common problems while maintaining a car. A corner, a column or a funny guy who decided to scratch the car can ruin your beautiful new model.
Here we will teach you how to repair and get rid of the scratches of the car regardless of whether they have been caused in metallic or other paint. We will give you different solutions and a step-by-step guide to see your car again as if you had just left the dealership.
Table of Contents
Types of car scratches (and the challenges of each)
Nobody likes scratches in the paint – that’s for sure. But do you also know what types of scratches there are? What type is the car wash responsible for?
- Holograms
- Swirls
- Deep scratches
All 3 types are to be processed differently, look different and are not immediately noticeable without a suitable light source.
1. Holograms
Holograms are created due to the wrong polishing technique or a dirty tool. If you work with a rotary machine and a sharp polish in conjunction with a hard pad/wool pad, holograms inevitably arise which must then be removed. Unfortunately, this step is not carried out by most. This type of scratch is not visible in the shade or in poor lighting! Holograms are very fine scratches on the lacquer surface and can be removed with the mildest polishes.
2. Swirls or car wash scratches
Swirls have just about every car. Despite frequent hand washing, many people drive through the car wash. If the car wash is not well maintained and dirty, these circular laps are scratched. In reality, they aren’t so circular. The spectrum of light sources makes these scratches look round. Swirls are always on the upper coating of paint.
3. Deeper scratches
You have probably already experienced this or heard from friends/acquaintances, right? These Scratches are along the entire length of the automobile, probably immortalized in the paint with a pointed object such as a key. But not only is this species one of the deep scratches. Wrong hand washing caused by dirty tools, such as the sponge/washing glove, also causes unpleasant scratches. Such deep scratches usually penetrate all layers of paint right down to the sheet metal.
Benefits of scratch repair products vs. professional services
If there are scratches or dents in the paint, some drivers have a choice: professional painting or minor repairs based on the principle of DIY repair? When it is worthwhile to repair the damage only selectively and when is it no longer?
When the front scrapes along the wall; there is a broad scratch on the front bumper, like a scar; Ugly and deep. The repair becomes expensive unless the customer chooses the DIY repair method instead of professional painting. The DIY repair method has several advantages.
With DIY Repair several areas of the car can be repaired, including upholstery, plastics, and the sheet metal – without disassembly. When it comes to sheet metal processing, the professionals speak of DIY painting. Only the direct damage point is processed here, it is a point repair or partial repair.
Cost of professional scratch repair Vs DIY scratch kits
ZIERAU recommends deciding on a case-by-case basis whether professional painting or DIY repair. “It always comes down to the costs and the benefits. Complete painting makes little sense for older vehicles outside of the manufacturer’s warranty, as do private vehicles, “says ZIERAU. On the other hand, after an accident involving liability claims, he would use professional paint and have the entire component repaired. He also recommends painting the entire component in new vehicles.
Different scratch removing products (Removers)
Top 10 Scratch Remover Products
[sc name=”scratch”]MEGUIAR’S Scratch X 2.0
The scratch remover, which is available from Conrad, among others, is in effect at eye level with the test winner from Wack. Small scratches are not a problem, but deep scratches are still minimally visible after use. The paste is gentle on the paint. The only drawback is the incomprehensible instructions, which is due to the translation.
No products found.
Pros
- Easily applicable
- Fine finishing
Cons
- Vague instructions
- Turtle Wax Compound
It is an exemplary paint scratch remover that is not cheap but does not pose a riddle to common people. The instructions are detailed, and in addition to the grinding paste, the necessary polishing cloths are also supplied. Even if the content turns out to be lean with 50 ml, the wack preparation is economical. Much is not necessary to remove small scratches and glossy veils.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Trusted brand
- Fast working formula
Cons
Only hides scratches and doesn’t remove them
Wears off easily when it rains
QUIXX scratch remover
The best guide in this test by far comes from QUIXX. The description is detailed, illustrated and gives very valuable application tips. The performance of the paint scratch remover is also impressive. Small scratches in the paint layer and glossy haze are completely removed; deeper scratches are still recognizable in the beginning.
No products found.
Pros
- Best for glossy metallic paint
- Premium brand
- Instant Repair
Cons
- Small size
- Expensive
3M Scratch and Swirl Remover
At around 50 bucks, the average of 3M is not cheap. It removes scratches in a small time. The expectations in the test were correspondingly high, but these could not quite meet the product that we bought from Conrad. On the one hand, there was no instruction in German; on the other hand, the result is only mediocre with deep scratches and the degree of gloss. In the end, that cost points.
No products found.
Pros
- Fast results
- Well-known product
Cons
- Expensive
- Instructions missing in most languages
WESTFALIA AGN shop hurricane
The product is intended for cars and agricultural machinery, but the purchase is also worthwhile for other vehicles. Because the cheap polish removes completely light scratches and glossy veils. However, deep scratches can still be seen after the treatment.
No products found.
Pros
- Applicable to all paints
- Removes most of the scratches
Cons
- Not fit for deep scratches
FK Automotive scratch remover
The price is convincing, but the preparation and its effects do not go beyond a mediocre result. Especially deep scratches and glossy veils are still visible after the treatment. In order for the paint to shine, FK Automotive recommends a paint seal. The customer only experiences this when reading the instructions on the bottle.
No products found.
Pros
- Economical product
- Easily applicable
Cons
- Can’t remove deep scratches
NÉO Clean scratch remover
At first glance, the paste makes a good impression: Two tubes and the necessary polishing cloths are included. In addition, the product is easy to use, the instructions explain the most important steps, and the result is convincing for small scratches. The product only has problems with deep scratches and glossy veils.
No products found.
Pros
- Great for small scratches
- Fast results
- Easy instructions
Cons
- Not recommended for deep scratches
- Not effective for glossy veils
NIGRIN scratch remover
Slight scratches in the lacquer do not pose any major challenges for the NIGRIN preparation, and the medium is also very gentle on the paint layer – removal is minimal. However, if there are deeper scratches in the clear lacquer, the product is at best mediocre. It can also not effectively tackle the glossy veils.
No products found.
Pros
- Fast action
- Best for slight scratches
- Economical product
Cons
- Not recommended for all types of scratches
AUTOSOL scratch remover
The polish is gentle on the varnish; the layer removal is hardly measurable. Successful removal of scratches and glossy veils looks different. They are still there after polishing – especially the deeper scratches are still clearly visible. For a good result, you have to use the remedy more often. That means: the tube is used up quickly.
No products found.
Pros
- Quick results
- Best for glossy veils
- Great for all scratches
Cons
- Small tube
SONAX scratch remover set
There is little reason to complain about the SONAX agent, which secures the test victory for the products for experienced users. The preparation even removes very deep scratches from the clear coat; after the treatment, they can hardly be seen. Well-described instructions, accompanied by pictures, minimize the risk of errors in use.
No products found.
Pros
- Full instructions available
- Fast action and results
- Famous brand
Cons
- Bit expensive
LIQUI MOLY grinding and polishing paste
The grinding and polishing paste from LIQUI MOLY does a decent job but is rather intended for experienced users. If used incorrectly, major paint damage will quickly occur. Therefore, the instructions should be read, which could be more detailed. In any case, it tells you that another product is required for the lacquer sealing.
No products found.
Pros
- Famous and trusted Brand
- Remove almost all scratches
Cons
- Detailed instructions required
Presto scratch remover
The Presto scratch remover has no weaknesses for small to medium-sized scratches. The product only weakens when it comes to deeper damage using the supplied sandpaper. Even when used correctly, deep scratches and glossy veils can still be seen in the paint layer.
No products found.
Pros
- A perfect solution for each scratch type
- Not too expensive
- Fast action
Cons
- Deeper damages can be seen somehow
Steps to repair and remove any scratch from the car
Step 1
The first thing you should do when repairing a scratch is to visualize how deep it is because it can be superficial or somewhat more complicated. In case the line is not superficial, it is advisable to take the car to a specialized mechanic so that it is responsible for solving the problem.
Step 2
However, there are some homemade methods or through some products and/or tools that you can take into account to solve this problem personally. It is important to keep in mind that every vehicle consists of a variety of layers in its chassis when it is painted.
Step 3
When we talk about a light stripe, it refers to one that does not exceed the paint layer mainly, which can be removed with a polishing job. On the other hand, when talking about a deep line, we are referring to one that exceeds the paint layer and reaches the steel layer. In this case, more complete work is necessary to eliminate it.
Step 4
After identifying the depth of the scratch, we proceed to use products such as the resin pencil or the paint pencil that allow covering the scratches. Depending on the depth you will see which one is more appropriate. If it is light rayon, it is recommended to buy a pencil of your car paint that you can get at any car store.
Step 5
However, if we find a deeper line, the resin pencil is the most suitable for this, since it is designed to fill the depth of the scratch. In addition, if a better finish is desired, you can use the resin pencil to fill and then, after drying, the paint pencil to hide said scratch.
Step 6
To finish, we proceed to a final polishing step which will be responsible for giving the final finish that will completely hide the scratches of your car. For this, the ideal is to use microfiber cloths in the direction of the line, which reduces the possibility of creating new brands. To begin, the area must be cleaned very well to remove any dirt particles.
Step 7
Then, the polishing wax is applied and the polisher or, failing that, the hands with the aforementioned cloth, using circular movements for a few minutes until the desired result is started. Once the wax has dried, the area is washed again and dried in the sun.
Table could not be displayed.DIY Scratch Repair Questions & Answers
Q: Can all scratches be removed with this process?
A: Unfortunately the answer is no. There are scratches that are very deep and that, when they reach steel, can only be repaired in specialized workshops. Even so, most common scratches can be removed in these steps.
Q: Where can I buy these products?
A: You can buy these products from any nearby market or you can search online to get a better idea.
Q: How can I choose from various scratch removing products?
A: Read instruction in detail to get a better idea of which product works best in your type of scratch.
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API