Can Toothpaste Remove Car Paint Scratches?
3 Answers
Toothpaste can remove car paint scratches, but only minor ones. Toothpaste contains abrasives, which give it a similar effect to car wax, helping to reduce the appearance of scratches. Additionally, the moisturizers in toothpaste can add shine to the paint, blending with the car's color. Moreover, toothpaste can act as a simple barrier, preventing rust in the short term. Car paint coating involves applying a thin film over the car's paint to maintain its gloss and provide a physical protective layer, thereby preserving the paint's integrity.
I've been driving for decades, and when I was younger, I also believed in the idea that toothpaste could handle minor scratches on car paint, thinking it was both cost-effective and convenient. However, after trying it a few times myself, I realized it simply doesn’t work and almost ruined the car’s finish. The abrasives in toothpaste, like baking soda, can slightly remove minor surface stains or oxidation, making the paint appear a bit shinier. But for actual scratches, such as grooves from tree branches or lines left by hard impacts, it has no repair effect whatsoever. On the contrary, if applied too forcefully, the particles in toothpaste can damage the clear coat, thinning and dulling the paint, and over time, oxidation spots may appear. Nowadays, I steer clear of such folk remedies—when I encounter scratches, I go straight to the repair shop. They use professional polishing compounds or touch-up pens to get the job done properly. Remember, don’t lose big money trying to save small change. Car paint maintenance requires careful attention—regular waxing, for example, can prevent such issues.
When it comes to using toothpaste to remove car scratches, I think many people just follow online short videos without thinking, which is simply a waste of effort. Toothpaste is meant for brushing teeth and contains abrasive ingredients. Applying it to a car only works superficially and is completely ineffective for deeper scratches. In fact, I learned this the hard way—once I used regular whitening toothpaste on a door scratch, only to end up dulling the clear coat and making it look worse. Later, a mechanic explained that scratches come in many types. If only the surface clear coat is damaged, professional scratch repair products should be used, whereas toothpaste can exacerbate the problem. My advice is not to take shortcuts—look up reliable methods online or consult a professional directly. Car paint repair requires gentle tools, and toothpaste is only suitable as a temporary emergency fix. Overall, this is a common misconception. Car maintenance should be approached scientifically—don’t treat your car as a guinea pig.
