How to Polish a Scratch Out of a Car
Car scratches make your car look shabby, despite of a nice paint job. Good thing there are several ways to remove those unsightly marks.
Scratches and Scratch Marks
Some car scratches are not actual scratches, but rather markings right above the car paint. These marks, just like scratches, are made from bumps or physical hits. They, however, failed to breach the layer of paint, making them easier to remove. Real scratches, on the other hand, rip through the paint, which leaves a nasty discolored trail on the surface of your car. Remedies are available for both types, so don’t worry when you see them.
How to Deal with Scratch Marks
Scratch marks, lying above the paint job, can be removed in a number of ways. You can use car wax to rub off most scratch marks. Scratch removers, which can also be used on furniture, are specially formulated to do away with marks upon application. The faintest marks can be removed by simple washing.
Wash and Chamois - Faint marks are the least of your problems, in terms of removing scratches. You can wash the scratched portion with soapy water. Once done, scrub off the scratch marks using a car chamois, which is made to grip car paint thoroughly. The faint scratch marks are gone after scrubbing the surface repeatedly.
Car Wax - Car wax is the solution used for polishing cars. It just so happened that some of them are also formulated to remove scratch marks. To use, apply a liberal amount of wax on the marks. Rub the wax firmly until they are gone. After removing the marks, you might as well polish your car to accentuate its attractive and scratch-free frame.
Scratch Remover - The scratch remover, made from strong active ingredients, removes both scratch marks and real scratches. It is gentle on the paint job but harsh on scratches. Just apply a generous amount on the marks or scratches, rub the surface with a chamois and the unsightly trails are gone. You can purchase this potent solution at car supply stores.
The scratch remover is obviously your best option for scratch marks, but it will cost you some cash. Try the other two options first, since the materials involved are readily available. Just buy a scratch remover when car wax simply can’t do the job.
How to Deal with Scratches
Scratches are pretty serious, given the damage it does to car paint. If severe scratches are not addressed early, the paint surrounding them may peel off. Scratch removers work on simple scratches but the severe ones require the repainting of the damaged portions. Luckily, resourceful car owners eventually found ways to deal with scratches.
Super Glue and Powdered Paint - Powdered paint is normally used to create craft enamel, but it is versatile enough to act as a substitute car paint in dealing with scratches. Apply a good amount of super glue on the scratch. Once it has been distributed evenly on the scratch, apply powdered paint on the glue. Make sure the paint has the same color as your car’s exterior. Place and rub a small amount of car wax on the paint. Once done, cover the scratch with aluminum foil then heat it with hair dryer for about a couple of hours. Remove the foil and you will see that the scratches are gone or hardly noticeable.
Sandpaper and Paint - Severe scratches often have jagged edges, making paint hard to apply. You can use sandpaper to gradually smoothen the edges. Once smoothened, apply car paint on the scratches.
Thinner and Spray Paint - Some scratches are seemingly irreparable, as scratch removers won’t work on them. What you can do is apply thinner on the affected areas until the paint eventually fades. Spray paint the faded portions to restore your car to its original scratch-free self.
All three options require some work on your part. If you find the task too tedious, you can ask for some assistance from anyone who knows how to handle cars. You’ll get many steps covered at the least possible time.