can you use the pink stuff on car scratches

[JulietteDella]

Yes, you can use The Pink Stuff on car scratches, but it is not recommended for most automotive paint applications. While it might improve the appearance of very superficial scuffs, it is an abrasive cleaner designed for hard household surfaces and poses a high risk of damaging your car's clear coat, leading to a need for professional correction.

The primary issue is abrasiveness. Automotive paint has a soft, protective clear coat on top. The Pink Stuff contains micro-scrubbing particles that are too aggressive for this delicate layer. Using it, especially with significant pressure, can create haze or swirl marks, making the scratch look worse under direct light. It's effective on surfaces like ceramic stovetops precisely because it's abrasive, but that quality is detrimental to your car's finish.

For safe scratch removal, you should use products specifically formulated for automotive paint. Here’s a comparison:

Product Type	Best For	Key Consideration
The Pink Stuff	Household cleaning (ovens, sinks)	High risk of clear coat damage; not designed for automotive use.
Toothpaste	Emergency, ultra-shallow scuffs	Mild abrasive; can work on clear coat but may require heavy polishing afterward.
Scratch Remover Compound	Light to moderate clear coat scratches	Professional-grade abrasive formulated for paint; requires applicator pad.
Polishing Compound	Removing haze/swirls after compounding	Finer abrasive to restore gloss; often used after a compound.
Clear Coat Safe Rubbing Compound	Deeper scratches that haven't reached base coat	More aggressive than polish but safer than household cleaners.

The correct process involves washing and drying the area first, then applying a dedicated automotive compound or polish with a soft microfiber applicator pad. If the scratch disappears when the area is wet, it's likely only in the clear coat and can be polished out. If it remains visible, it has penetrated the color layer or primer and requires touch-up paint. For anything beyond a faint scuff, consulting a professional detailer is the safest bet to avoid costly repaints.

[ColtonRose]

I tried it on a tiny scratch on my old truck's bumper. It took the white mark off a bit, but when I wiped it away, the area looked dull and hazy compared to the rest of the paint. I had to use a real car polish to get the shine back. It's not worth the risk. It's like using sandpaper when you only need a soft cloth. Grab a bottle of scratch remoter from the auto parts store instead; it's made for the job.

[McJuniper]

As a rule, you should never use a household abrasive cleaner on your car's paint. The Pink Stuff is designed for ceramics and metals, not for the delicate clear coat that protects your car's color. Using it will almost certainly create micro-scratches, known as swirl marks, which diminish the gloss and value of the finish. Always opt for products labeled specifically for automotive clear coats to safely address scratches.

[SanJaxson]

Think of it this way: your car's paint has a soft, protective layer called a clear coat. The Pink Stuff works because it's gritty, like a very fine sandpaper. That grittiness is great for baked-on grease on an oven but will scratch and cloud that soft clear coat. You'll trade one visible scratch for a larger area of dull, swirled paint. For a safe, similar DIY method, a non-gel toothpaste is a milder abrasive, but a dedicated car scratch remover is the real solution.