Safely Remove Fine Scratches from Your Car's Paint
Scratches on the paint of a car can be frustrating, no matter how fine or minor they might be. These can be found on car paint from low hanging tree branches, other cars or car doors, stray grocery carts in parking lots, small animals, or toys and sports equipment among other things. Getting rid of these annoying imperfections does not require a complete paint job or an expensive body detailing job. Remove fine scratches from your car's paint with a few techniques that can be done in the driveway or garage.
Steps
- Clean the area that has a scratch or scrape. Wash the car panel with a light soap and warm water. Dry the area thoroughly with a clean white towel.
- Apply car wax or polish. This is the least abrasive measure for taking care of fine scratches. Sometimes it is all that is needed to get rid of a scratch.
- Apply acetone to the scrape. Auto detailing solution can be used, but acetone products, such as nail polish remover, work just as well. Moisten a clean, white cloth with acetone and wipe it lightly over the scratch. Continue applying the acetone until the scrape or scratch vanishes.
- Rub in some car rubbing compound. If the scratch does not disappear after applying the acetone, get some car rubbing compound and a buffing pad. The car rubbing compound can be found at any auto parts or body detailing store.
- Use sandpaper on stubborn scratches and scrapes. Saturate sandpaper with water and rub it carefully over the affected area. Wet sanding will remove the scratches and any other imperfections by using the heavier grit of the sandpaper against the lighter grit in the paint.
- Use an ultra fine sandpaper, preferably a 2,000 to 3,000 grit wet/dry sandpaper when sanding. Add two or three drops of liquid dish soap to the water before wetting the sandpaper to make the water a little more slippery. This will help to improve the sanding.
- Wipe the area with a clean, dry, white cloth. Dust away any debris or dust from the buffing and the sanding.
- Inspect the area for any remaining scratches, scrapes or imperfections.
- Apply car wax or polish again if you used more abrasive methods. Using products such as acetone, buffing compound, and sandpaper will remove protective wax and sealers, as well as scratches and scrapes. Use any brand of wax or polish that is usually used on the car and lightly cover the paint with it.
Tips
- Shoe polish can be used to identify light scratches. If you think there might be a scratch but you're not sure, rub a shoe polish in a different color than the paint over the area, and if there is a scratch, it will show up instantly.
Warnings
- Be careful not to rub too hard when buffing or using sandpaper. Too much force on the paint will cause deeper damage and larger scratches.
Things You'll Need
- Soap and warm water
- Several clean white towels
- Acetone or auto detailing solution
- Car rubbing compound
- Buffing pad
- Sandpaper
- Car wax or polish
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