How to Repair Scratches in Your Car Paint

Getting a scratch on your car can be incredibly annoying.  We love our cars, and we want to keep them looking great.  Here is how you can remove unsightly scratches from your vehicle.

The first thing you should do is to determine if the scratch is the absence of paint or if it is the addition of paint or another material.  When a car is hit or damaged by something softer, such as a plastic car or a cart, the softer item will actually transfer colored or gray material onto your car.  These scratches can be easily removed using adhesive remover or acetone on a soft cloth.  Rinse with water once removed to remove the acetone and wipe dry.

If the scratch has removed paint from your car, you need to know how deep it is.  If the scratch hasn’t gone all the way to the bare metal, then the clearcoat is all that is damaged.  You can sand away the scratch using sandpaper and simply apply a new layer of clearcoat to the damaged area. 

If the scratch goes into the primer, however, it is time to find the right paint color for your car.  The good news is that auto manufacturers offer touch up paint for their standard colors, which can be found at most car dealers and in some auto parts stores. 

To repaint a very deep scratch, use shoe polish that is much darker or lighter than your car to rub into the scratches to make them more visible, and sand the area until it is smooth.  Then polish the scratches, and use your touch up paint.  Sand and polish once more after it dries, lightly buff, and enjoy a car without scratches.