What to Do About Scratches on a Car?

[OElias]

The solutions for scratches on a car are: 1. Repair by sanding with sandpaper—clean and dry the scratched area, then gently rub the scratched spot with water-dipped sandpaper; 2. Repair with chilled cola—pour a small amount of cola onto a cloth and repeatedly wipe the scratched area; 3. Repair with essential balm—pour a small amount of essential balm onto a cloth and repeatedly wipe the scratched area; 4. Repair with toothpaste—clean the scratch with a cloth, squeeze toothpaste onto a damp towel or soft sponge, and wipe the scratch up and down; 5. Repair with nail polish—applying a layer of nail polish on the scratch can prevent it from rusting.

[MackenzieLynn]

Don't panic when you first discover a scratch, first assess the extent of the damage. Superficial hairline scratches can disappear by rubbing in circles with scratch wax. For paint scratches the size of nail polish, don't opt for a full panel repaint—it's more cost-effective to buy a touch-up pen to fill them in. When working, use masking tape to outline the repair area, apply the paint with a cotton swab in small amounts multiple times, and polish the surface after it dries. After the repair, remember to regularly wax the paint for maintenance, especially for open-air parking spots with lots of resin and tree sap. It's best to cover your car with a car cover.

[DaisyAnn]

When dealing with scratches on my car, I always prepare soft wax, touch-up paint, and polishing compound. For minor scratches, gently rub the polishing compound in one direction. For deep scratches that expose the primer, use a toothpick dipped in paint to fill the dent. After touch-up, wait at least 24 hours before exposing the car to rain, otherwise the new paint may get washed away. For deep scratches near the door waistline, it's recommended to directly file an insurance claim, as the water-based paint used by 4S shops requires baking lamp equipment, and DIY repairs can easily cause color mismatch. Avoid automatic car wash brushes for a week after painting to prevent friction damage.

[VonReid]

White scratches on the car's rear often caused by shopping carts? Don't rush to file an insurance claim—scratches from half a meter away are barely noticeable. I cover the scratches with toothpaste, wrap them in plastic wrap, leave them under the sun for two hours, and then wipe them off—most minor marks fade. Note: This trick only works for surface paint damage. For scratches that expose the primer, rust prevention comes first: clean with alcohol wipes, apply epoxy primer, let it dry, and then touch up with color paint. Radiating scratches on the hood are often from tree branches—these jagged-edged marks are the toughest to repair.

[OMia]

Scratches on the plastic parts of the front bumper are the easiest to handle—just a tube of acrylic paint pen can solve the problem. However, for metal parts, even hairline scratches that expose the gray base material must be addressed; otherwise, rust spots will spread like ink stains within six months. When touching up paint, always choose a shady spot for the job, as direct sunlight can cause the paint to coagulate and bubble. For the first three days after repair, avoid using a high-pressure water jet directly on the repaired area, and opt for a neutral pH car wash solution.

[LeKeegan]

Scratches exceeding five centimeters are recommended to be handled through insurance, as small-area repairs may damage the original electrophoretic layer. For temporary treatment, you can cut a piece of car sticker in a similar color to cover the scratch, but make sure to thoroughly remove grease before applying the sticker. Scratches on the wheel arches are often accompanied by deformation. In such cases, first soften the plastic part with hot water, then use a suction cup to flatten it before repainting. Remember to check the color code in the vehicle manual and choose an online touch-up paint kit that includes a clear coat layer, as the color layer alone may turn white in rainy conditions. Avoid using toothpaste for more than two weeks, as calcium carbonate can etch the clear coat layer.