If you begin polishing without cleaning, it’s possible to pull small particles of dirt into the scratch, potentially making it worse. Avoid using dish soaps to wash your car. These contain powerful de-greasers which can strip the protective sealant from the clear coat. [2] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
On average, a complete scratch repair kit will cost you around $10-30. Many car care experts recommended products like 3M Scratch & Scuff Removal Kit or Meguiar’s G17216 Ultimate Compound, which can be used to erase mild to severe scratches in the clear coat. [4] X Research source For details on using rubbing compound to fix car scratches, see How to Use Rubbing Compound.
Check the directions on your scratch remover to see how much polish the manufacturer recommends using. Buffing pads come in various shapes, sizes, and textures. If you don’t like the one that came with your scratch repair kit, you can always shop around for another that suits your needs at any auto parts store.
Keep buffing until most of the polish has disappeared from the surface of the car.
Once you’ve wiped off the scratch remover, fold your cloth in half to get a clean surface ready in case you need to apply more polish.
Scratch remover liquids work by taking off thin layers of the car’s outer finish, so be careful not to buff too hard, or for too long. If you start seeing traces of paint on your buffing pad, stop immediately. [10] X Research source Basic scratch repair kits won’t be able to get rid of every scratch. If you can still see the scratch after a couple rounds of buffing, you’ll need to move on to applying touch up paint.
Giving your vehicle a preliminary wipe down is especially important if you’ve recently had it waxed or resealed.
You can pick up a tube of glazing putty for spot repairs from your local automotive retailer or hardware store for around $5. A single tube should give you enough putty for 10-20 repair jobs! If the scratch isn’t deep enough to expose the metal of the car’s body, you can skip straight to applying touch up paint.
Exact curing times may vary depending on the product you use. Be sure to consult the packaging for more accurate instructions.
The leveling liquid will clear the dried putty off of the finish but leave the putty inside the scratch untouched, resulting in a level surface.
If your touch up paint doesn’t come with its own applicator, an inexpensive micro detailing brush will offer you the precision and control you need to get the job done right. Touch up paints are also sometimes sold in pen form. When using a touch up paint pen, all you have to do is drag the nib along the scratch slowly to disperse the paint inside.
Resist the urge to touch or make modifications to your touch up paint as it dries.
For best results, plan on using at least 2 coats to cover especially deep scratches.
When it comes to deciding how much sealant to use, err on the side of excess—you’ll be sanding the clear coat later to level and blend the repaired surface, anyway. After applying enough clear coat to cover the new paint, allow it to dry overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
Wet-sanding is better for detailing jobs, as the wet surface lifts away loose particles as you work, and can even wear down tiny scratches caused by dry sanding or polishing. Not all types of sandpaper are intended to be used wet. Make sure the sandpaper you buy is made specifically for wet-sanding. [18] X Research source Wrap your sandpaper around a backing block to make it easier to grip.
