What can be used to remove scratches on a car?
2 Answers
There are mainly two methods to remove scratches on a car, which are: 1. Polishing and waxing to remove scratches. Generally, relatively small scratches or those that haven't reached the base layer can be removed by polishing. There are various methods of polishing and waxing; some can completely eliminate scratches, while others may still show scratches under certain conditions. Besides the pigment layer, a car's paint surface also has an outermost protective layer, commonly known as the clear coat. Polishing not only removes scratches but also thins the protective layer, leading to oxidation and discoloration of the paint, and making it more susceptible to scratches from fine particles. 2. Repainting to remove scratches. For very deep scratches on sheet metal parts where the metal is visible, repainting is necessary. For less noticeable areas, touch-up paint can be used, while larger scratches require sanding off part of the paint surface before repainting. Touch-up paint involves applying paint directly to the scratch, primarily to prevent rust, so the touched-up area will look different from the surrounding paint. It may appear slightly wrinkled and uneven, failing to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. On the other hand, repainting can achieve a perfect match with the surrounding paint, making it impossible to detect both the scratch and the repainted area. However, the drawbacks are quite obvious: it's expensive and takes one to two days to complete.
There are often some minor scratches on my own car, usually caused by branches when parking by the roadside. For light scratches, I directly use car polishing wax—squeeze a bit onto a soft cloth and gently rub in circular motions for about ten minutes, and the scratches fade away while the paint becomes shinier. If the scratches are too deep and the base color is visible, then a touch-up paint pen is needed. When buying one, make sure to match the color code. After applying, sand it smooth—the results are decent but require patience. It’s advisable to avoid using hard brushes when washing the car and to spray a layer of protective liquid after washing to prevent new scratches. Also, test the product in a small inconspicuous area before full application to avoid damaging the paint. Overall, DIY fixes are convenient and cost-effective, usually costing less than 100 yuan to get the job done.
