Car paint consists of several layers, the base coat, the color coat, and in most cases, a clear coat. There are many ways to remove light and deeper scratches, and you must know how deep and wide the scratch or paint damage is. If the scratch or paint damage is only as deep as the clear coat, it will be not as noticeable and will be the easiest to remove. If the scratch has also gone through the paint color, it is generally visible as a white scratch and requires a bit more effort. In this section, we dive deeper into how to choose a car scratch remover that is suitable for you.
What Is a Car Scratch Remover?
Even though the name is pretty self-explanatory, please indulge me a little. A car scratch remover, sometimes called car scratch polish, helps you cheaply and conveniently remove scratches from car paint. It is a polish that can be applied with a polishing cloth, wax pad, old t-shirt (without buttons and zippers), or a polishing machine. The finest car scratch removers remove both deep and superficial scratches, car wash scratches, swirls, and holograms and will restore dull paint to its original shine!
Types of Car Scratches
If you are going to repair a car scratch yourself, you should know how deep the scratch actually is and act accordingly. I've misdiagnosed a scratch's depth before and had to double the work to properly treat the issue. Light scratch If the scratch is only as deep as the clear coat, it is considered a light scratch and is easy to remove. To do so, you must first clean the surface well because otherwise, dirt being rubbed into the paint potentially create additional scratches. After cleaning the surface, you can apply the remover and rub it into the scratch for a minute before wiping it away. Medium scratch If the scratch goes through the color lacquer, it is often visible as a white scratch. These scratches are often more difficult to remove. It is essential that you use good quality, clean microfiber cloth to clean the body of the car, and after this, you can proceed to add some wax to the paint as an extra layer of protection over it. Deep scratch Deep scratches can be easily recognized because they really cut into the paint or have even penetrated into the metal layer. When significant damage is involved, it becomes difficult to make deep scratches invisible. In many cases, the scratches will be reduced after simple brushing and polishing treatments but will certainly still be visible. You can buy various products to remove deep scratches that do the job just fine, and in most cases, the scratches will be slightly visible or not visible at all. Deep scratch car removal tools are typically available in spray form or as markers. It’s worth reiterating that not all deep scratches can be completely removed. I've had a few of these before, and unfortunately, I had to take my car to the shop in order to fix them.
How to Remove Medium and Deep Scratches
A scratch that extends into the paintwork of your car falls into the category of medium-deep scratches. You can recognize this scratch if you can see different colors in your car paint where the scratch is, but not the white or gray of the primer. To remove medium-deep car scratches, you need several products, and before you start repairing, you need to know the color code of your car’s paint. You can find the factory paint code on a metal panel in your car, and this color can be found on a color code tool. When you have determined the color, use a touch-up marker in the car’s paint color and then apply the clear coat. Keep in mind that the color can always differ slightly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Car Scratch Remover
If you have the necessary materials ready, you can go ahead and follow this guide. 1) Clean your car before attempting to repair any blemishes or scratches. Since scratches may become worse if dirt is rubbed into them, make sure to closely inspect the area you'll be working on to make sure there is no pre-existing dirt or residue. 2) Apply the polishing compound. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions in advance to know how much compound you need to use. Rub the compound on the scratch in a uniform, circular motion. For ideal results, you may need to apply the compound multiple times. Keep in mind that this is the stage that normally takes the longest and requires the most effort. 3) If you have one, you can use a buffer on the affected area until the scratch is not visible. Use a light touch and take care not to over-buff the surface. Typically, it is recommended to operate the buffer between 1000-1500 RPM. 4) If you can’t see the scratch anymore, wipe the area with a clean, non-abrasive cloth. If you can still see remnants of the scratch after wiping, repeat steps 1-4. 5) If there are no more scratches visible, thoroughly clean and dry the affected area to get rid of any excess car scratch removal compound. Following this, you can wax the area to seal and protect the paint.
