Can Toothpaste Repair Car Scratches the Next Day?
2 Answers
Using toothpaste to remove car scratches the next day cannot repair the scratches. Toothpaste can help eliminate minor scratches to some extent because it contains abrasives, which give it a function similar to car wax, reducing the appearance of scratches. Drawbacks of Using Toothpaste for Scratches: Additionally, toothpaste can act as a simple barrier, preventing rust in the short term, especially for cars with white paint, where the effect is more noticeable. However, using toothpaste to remove scratches on car paint is not a long-term solution. For example, during heavy rain, the toothpaste will naturally wash away. Moreover, this method is more suitable for light-colored car paint; using it on dark-colored paint may cause the treated area to turn white, producing the opposite effect. Methods to Remove Scratches: To remove scratches, you can use a touch-up pen or a car paint scratch repair agent. However, for deep scratches—meaning the scratch area is large and has damaged the primer—it is recommended to visit a professional auto repair shop for restoration.
I’ve also tried using toothpaste to buff out car scratches and checked the results the next morning. To be honest, for very light surface scratches, like marks left by a gently brushing tree branch, slowly polishing with a soft cloth dipped in toothpaste for about ten minutes might make them less noticeable under light the next day, and the surface may feel smoother. However, this method is just a temporary fix—it addresses the symptom, not the root cause. The abrasive particles in toothpaste can gradually wear down the clear coat, and over time, the paint’s gloss may actually diminish. For deeper scratches, there’s usually little to no visible improvement the next day, and professional methods are still needed. A tip I learned from a friend is to rinse off any residue immediately after polishing to avoid damaging the paint, followed by applying car wax for better protection—that’s a more reliable approach.
