If you own a car and live in a busy neighborhood, you know that getting on the road is a total gamble. One close brush or a light smash-up will leave your car scratched.
And chances are you already have a pesky scratch on your car that you can’t get rid of.
But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with some handy tips and tricks for removing scratches from your car.
But first, it’s essential to learn about the car’s paint layers and the types of scratches.
Understanding The Paint Layers
A typical car body has three layers of paint, which are as follows:
Layer 1: Also known as the clear coat, this is the topmost layer that provides the car’s shine and acts as a barrier against UV rays, scratches, and other external damage.
Layer 2: The second layer of paint provides color to the car and is called the base or enamel coat. Usually, a car has two layers of base coat to get the color right.
Layer 3: This is the final and bottom-most paint layer that acts as a bonding agent between the car’s metal body and the base layer. This layer is called the primer.
Now that you know about the layers of paint on your car, let’s discuss the different types of scratches.
Types Of Car Scratches On A Car
There are three types of scratches your car can get. These are as follows:
1. Minor Scratches Or Surface Scratches
These scratches are usually thin line marks that are not easy to spot, but they often shine when light reflects on them.
Although they are the most frequent types of scratches, surface scratches are also the easiest to deal with because they only affect the clear outer coat.
How Do They Happen?
Minor scratches or marks result from the rubbing of sharp-edged everyday objects against the car’s surface. A typical example is when you place a grocery bag on the hood, trunk, or roof of the car, and an inside sharp object leaves a mark when the bag slides.
Using abrasive cleaners and dirty clothes are also some of the most common car scratch causes that can ruin the look of your car. That is why car owners are often advised to take preventive measures to protect your car from scratches.
2. Paint Scratches
Paint scratches are more visible and run slightly deeper than minor scratches.
These scratches go through the clear coat and hit the base (or enamel) layer below, causing the color to chip off. These are somewhat difficult to deal with and usually require a repainting job, but not all the time.
How Do They Happen?
Paint scratches usually result when bigger and harder objects — like other vehicles, tree branches, stones, gates, and barriers — rub against your car’s surface.
Tip: Surface or paint scratches can be easily avoided by wrapping your car with vinyl.
3. Deep Scratches
The deepest and most challenging to deal with, deep scratches run all the way through the enamel layer and hit the primer. In worst cases, these scratches can ruin the metal body too.
That’s why deep scratches require professional denting and repainting, which can be pretty costly. You can ensure you get the best deal by comparing local quotes using DingGo.
How Do They Happen?
These are usually caused by big and heavy objects, such as shopping carts or other vehicles.
Now that we know the different types of scratches, let’s move on to how you can remove them.
Tips & Tricks For Removing Scratches From Your Car
If you don’t want to pay hefty repainting costs, here are a few tips and tricks to help you deal with minor scratches (or even paint scratches if you are lucky).
1. Toothpaste
One of the most common and readily available household items, toothpaste can be used to remove minor scratches from your car.
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a clean, soft cloth and gently rub it over the scratch. Wipe off the excess toothpaste with a damp cloth, and you’ll see the scratch has disappeared.
Repeat the process if scratch marks persist.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another easily available household item that can be used to remove scratches from your car.
Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the scratch with a clean cloth. Rub the cloth over the scratch with some pressure and repeat it until the scratch disappears.
Once gone, wash off the area with water and dry it with a clean cloth.
3. Car Wax (Or Polish)
Car wax or polish is very effective for stubborn paint scratches that don’t run too deep. Plus, it’s very simple to use. Just apply a small amount of wax or polish to the affected area and buff it out with a soft cloth.
You can easily get car wax from any auto repair shop or car wash station for a few bucks.
So, these are some of the most convenient and economical tricks to deal with minor car scratches. But before trying them, ensure that you carefully analyze the type and extent of the scratch on your car.
In addition, we recommend that you first look into paint protection film or PPF coating to save your car from scratches in the first place!
