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Scratches are inevitable but still annoying. Whether it’s from loose grit on a motorway, overgrown roadside bushes or from another car in a car park, scratches are one of the most common forms of damage a car can pick up.
With a bit of care, you can remove any scratch from your car at home. There are several top-quality scratch removal kits specially designed for this purpose that are easy to use, particularly for lighter scratches and smaller touch-up jobs. You just need to know what you’re dealing with before you get started, but we’ll help with that too.
In this guide, we’ll run through the ideal techniques to remove light-to-deep scratches and repair paint chips at home, including advice from BTCC racing driving and car expert, Josh Cook.
If you’re ready to get started, browse our body repair range, including everything from car body filler to stone chip protection paint. Available with free Click and Collect to your local Euro Car Parts store, you can get your car looking its best in no time.
What’s Included In This Article?
What To Do If You Get A Scratch On Your Car
Your car's exterior is made up of four layers: a clear protective coat on top, then the colour coat beneath it, then a primer layer, and finally the bare metal panel. Scratches at different depths need different fixes, so the first thing to do is take a good look at the scratch in the light.
Then, simply drag your fingernail lightly across the scratch. If your nail doesn't catch and just slides straight over, the damage is limited to the clear coat, which is the easiest kind to fix yourself. If it snags in the groove, it's gone deeper into the colour or primer layers, and the repair will take a bit more work. If you can see a silvery sheen, that's the bare metal of the car body. These needs addressing promptly, as the exposed metal will start to rust.
Tools You’ll Need
Now you know what you’re dealing with, you’ll need to gather some tools and equipment before you get started.For light scratches, Josh recommends the Autoglym Scratch Removal Kit, but if you don’t want to use a kit, you can also grab:
Some warm, soapy water
Several clean microfibre cloths
For deeper scratches, you’ll need:
220-grade sandpaper
A primer
Your correct paint
A couple of very small brushes
A dust mask to cover your nose and mouth
Some warm, soapy water
Several clean microfibre cloths
To find the right colour for your car, you’ll need your exact paint code. This can usually be found on a manufacturer’s sticker or plate inside the driver’s side door, and it will look like a short list of letters and numbers. If it’s not there, it could also be inside the glove box, or in the spare-tyre wheel well in the boot.
How To Remove Light Scratches From Your Car
Light scratches and scuffs that haven’t gone through the clear coat can usually be polished away without any painting involved.
Step 1. Clean The Area Properly
Before you touch the scratch, clean the area thoroughly with warm, soapy water and gently dry it with a microfibre cloth. This will make sure any grit or debris in the scratch won’t get pushed further into the paintwork as you start working.
Step 2. Prepare The Compound
Squeeze two pea-sized blobs of scratch removal compound onto the applicator sponge. Or if you’re not using a scratch removal kit, add some polish to a clean microfibre cloth.
Step 3. Apply To The Scratch
Use the applicator sponge to rub up and down and side to side, covering the full length and width of the scratch, for around 30 seconds. For light scratches, this should work to completely remove them or significantly reduce their appearance. If you’re using polish, buff it into the scratch using circular motions.
Step 4. Wax and Polish
If you have been using a kit, use the included microfibre cloth to wipe away any residue and then polish your car to its normal shine with some wax. If you’ve not been using a kit, your scratch should already have been polished, but you could also use another cloth to buff in wax as a finishing touch.
How To Fix Deeper Scratches And Chips On Your Car
When a scratch or chip has gone deeper, polish alone won’t quite cut it. You’ll need to restore the missing layers one by one, but by taking your time and working through each stage carefully, you can get a solid result.
Step 1. Identify The Correct Paint Colour
If your car’s paint colour has faded, it’s a good idea to get some scrap metal and apply the touch-up paint to compare it to your car's paintwork. This way, you can check the colour matches before you fix any deep scratches or chips.
Step 2. Sand The Surface Area
Start by buffing the area around the scratch or chip (using your 220-grade sandpaper) to minimise rough edges and help you apply the touch-up paint evenly. You’re not trying to sand down to bare metal; you’re just creating a smooth, even base for the new paint to sit on.
Step 3. Take Precautions Against Rust
Check for rust where the damage is located and apply your chosen rust treatment to protect against further corrosion. Make sure to follow the product guidance on drying times before moving to the next step.
Step 4. Wash The Area Thoroughly
Take time to wash the scratch or chip surface, making sure any dust or dirt is removed, along with any dried rust-treatment residue. Gently dry the area down with a clean microfibre cloth.
Step 5. Prime For Paint
Primer ensures that the paint sticks to your car’s bodywork. Delicately apply your primer with a small brush – or even a toothpick – in thin passes, making sure it doesn't cover any of the original paint, only the scratched or chipped area. Again, it’s important to follow product guidance on primer drying times before starting to paint the area; each layer needs to be fully dry before the next.
Step 6. Start Painting
Ensure that your paint has been mixed well before applying. As with the primer, use a small brush or matchstick-sized item to carefully touch up the paintwork. If you have a tiny chip in your car paint, you can consider cutting down the matchstick to give yourself more control.
Build up the colour gradually, allowing full drying time between coats. Applying the paint by hand lets you make sure it isn’t thicker than the rest of the paint on your vehicle. It also helps to guard against any blotches and bubbles, while ensuring the paint doesn’t run.
Step 7. Leave It To Dry
Once you’ve gently touched up the paint on your car, you mustn’t drive it for a few hours, so the paint has time to dry. If not left, the paint can run, and the scratch or chip may reappear, meaning you’ll have to start the process again.
Step 8. Lightly Sand and Seal
After the paint has dried completely, you can assess the area to check if it has blended well. If you have been left with an uneven finish, very lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth. Finish with a layer or two of clear topcoat to help it look flawless; you could even buff in some wax with a spare cloth to bring out the shine.
For more car maintenance guides to help you keep your car in top shape, we’ve covered everything from how to protect your car exterior and interior in winter to how often to get your car serviced.
FAQs
Does WD-40 Remove Scratches From Cars?
WD-40 won’t remove a scratch, but it can make a light mark look less visible temporarily. It’s something most people have lying around at home, so if you want to try it before investing in a repair kit, simply spray it on and buff it into the scratch in circles.
What Is The Best Thing To Remove Car Scratches?
It depends on the type of scratch. For light surface scratches and scuffs, a scratch remover kit is your best option. For deeper scratches, you’ll need to sand, apply touch-up paint and seal it.
Can Toothpaste Remove Minor Car Scratches?
Toothpaste has a mildly abrasive quality, so it can take the edge off very minor surface marks or damage, but it’s not a reliable fix; a dedicated scratch remover will always work more effectively. If you’re in a pinch, however, you can rub toothpaste – ideally a whitening toothpaste – into the scratch, then rinse and dry the area.