How to Deal with Scratches on the Car?
3 Answers
Treatment methods are as follows: 1. Apply toothpaste: Buy an ordinary toothpaste, apply it to the scratches, and then wipe back and forth. This can effectively remove the scratches and also prevent rust. 2. Waxing: Minor scratches can be removed with ordinary maintenance wax, while heavier scratches require polishing wax. The process is also simple: apply wax, polish, and clean. When applying wax, be sure not to use too much wax liquid; just enough to cover the damaged area of the paint. 3. Touch-up paint pen: You can use a touch-up paint pen to color the scratches. If the scratches are deep, fill them with putty first before proceeding with the touch-up paint work. 4. Use an eraser: Some marks are very shallow and can be wiped off with an eraser.
Last time there was a scratch on my car, and I learned how to deal with it when I was in a particularly bad mood. First, wash the car clean to check the situation. If the scratch is shallow and the primer isn't exposed, you can fix it yourself: use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the area clean, let it dry, then apply some toothpaste (an old method that works) or a car-specific touch-up pen, gently rubbing to fill in the scratch. Wait a few hours for it to dry, then polish with a soft cloth—this can cover most scratches, saving money and time. I remember once when I accidentally scraped the wall while pulling out of the garage, and this method saved me over 300 bucks in paintwork costs. But be careful—toothpaste is only a temporary fix; the touch-up pen must match the color code—check the manual or ask the seller for a match. For deep scratches or exposed metal, don't force it—it'll rust and worsen; going to a repair shop for a proper paint job is the right move. Usually, I park farther away in empty spots to reduce collisions. Make it a habit to wash the car and inspect it carefully every month—don't wait until rainwater seeps in and corrodes the metal, as repairs will be more expensive and troublesome.
I prefer handling scratches myself to save money. Upon spotting minor scratches, I immediately rinse them with water, dry them off, and purchase a touch-up pen matching my car's paint—available online for just a few dozen yuan. I apply it to cover the scratch and let it dry naturally. After drying, a quick polish does the trick nicely. For deep scratches, DIY isn’t worth the hassle or cost; a local body shop for repainting is more reliable. Cost-wise, DIY saves hundreds, but only for minor damage; large areas can run into thousands, requiring careful consideration. For prevention, I prioritize parking in spacious spots to avoid scraping walls or doors and always check mirrors before driving to confirm space. Regular waxing boosts paint resilience, reducing new scratches. My experience: early treatment prevents rust, and intact paint not only looks good but also preserves value. Thanks to timely fixes, my old car shows no permanent marks.
