How to Deal with Scratches?
2 Answers
When driving at high speeds, even airborne smoke, dust, and sand can cause fine hairline scratches on the car's paint surface. Hairline scratches can be easily removed with a wax containing fine abrasive compounds, such as mirror polish wax. Using a fine abrasive wax can repair minor scratches by rearranging the molecules of the surface paint, effectively filling in the damaged area with surrounding paint. If the scratch is clearly visible and the color coat is affected, the best solution is to take the car to a professional auto repair shop for expert treatment.
I have plenty of experience in dealing with scratches: Last time there were several shallow scratches on my car caused by careless parking. First, I cleaned the surface with car wash soap, then gently polished it with toothpaste or a dedicated scratch remover – the effect was quite good, the scratches became much less noticeable. Remember not to apply too much force, otherwise you might damage the paint. Shallow scratches can be handled by yourself without problems, but if the scratch is deep enough to expose the metal layer, it needs immediate treatment to prevent rust, and it's best to go to a repair shop for repainting. Choosing open parking spots and avoiding branches and stones during daily parking can reduce such issues. Keeping a scratch repair pen in the car is quite practical for emergency treatment of minor damages. The key is not to delay, as prolonged exposure can lead to more troublesome rusting. Regular maintenance of the car paint also helps. In short, handle simple tasks yourself, but for complex situations, it's safer to seek professional help.
