What Kind of Scratches Can Be Polished?
2 Answers
The following types of scratches can be polished: 1. Minor scratches. These are visible under sunlight but do not have noticeable grooves when touched. They are usually caused by car washing or sand and gravel during driving and can be polished away. 2. Scratches showing white marks, which can be classified as moderate scratches. These are caused by minor collisions between cars or scratches from hard objects. They are clearly visible, and grooves can be felt when touched, but the primer is not damaged. You can first use a polishing compound for initial grinding to remove most of the scratch marks, followed by polishing to eliminate the scratches. 3. Scratches that reach the primer, exposing the metal layer and prone to rusting, require paint repair before polishing.
Having dealt with various car scratches for years, I've found that only shallow scratches are suitable for polishing. For example, those fine lines that only appear in sunlight, like swirl marks from washing or minor friction marks, are on the surface of the car's clear coat without damaging the base paint or metal. Using professional polishing compounds with a rotary machine can evenly remove the oxidized layer, making the scratches disappear and restoring the gloss. Deep scratches, like key scratches exposing the metal, cannot be polished—it's a waste of effort with no effect. After polishing, applying a layer of car wax protects the paint and extends the results. Over-polishing can damage the clear coat; thinning it makes it prone to aging, so always assess the scratch depth before deciding to avoid risks. I recommend beginners first test a small area at a professional shop to ensure safety and reliability.
