Remove Car Scratches Yourself: Easy DIY Guide
Do you have scratches on your car and want to remove them right away? You're not alone. Paint damage is one of the biggest frustrations for any car owner. Fortunately, you don't have to go straight to a garage or body shop. In this blog article, we’ll explain step-by-step how you can remove scratches from your car’s paint yourself. You’ll also learn how scratches occur, which products you need, and when a touch-up paint pen is the best solution.
How do car scratches occur?
No matter how careful you are, small scratches are unfortunately unavoidable. You can’t always prevent them, but luckily, they can be removed from your car. Scratches usually occur due to:
- Opening doors, for example from a ring on your finger.
- Washing with a dirty sponge or going through a car wash.
- Stone chips or debris on the road.
- Getting in and out of the car, such as from a bag or zipper.
Removing scratches from your car yourself
Want to remove scratches from your car by polishing? That’s possible with the right products. You can choose to do it by hand or with a polishing machine.
Polishing by hand with polish
To remove scratches by hand, use a car polish with fine or coarse abrasive. To use the car polish properly, follow these steps:
- Wash and dry your car thoroughly.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- Apply a small amount (about the size of a €2 coin) to a clean, dry cloth.
- Use circular motions with light pressure.
- Rub until the polish is fully absorbed.
- Check the result. Repeat if necessary.
Removing car scratches with a polishing machine
For deep scratches or dull spots on your car, an orbital polishing machine is the right tool to repair the paint damage. Keep in mind the following when using a polishing machine:
- Do not use a rotary polisher if you’re inexperienced; it can cause paint damage.
- Use a hard polishing pad with a coarse polish compound.
- Keep the machine constantly moving to avoid burning the paint.
- Finish with a soft pad and fine polish to restore shine.
-
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page -
OfferThe price depends on the options chosen on the product page
When should you use a car touch-up pen?
Are the scratches too deep to polish? Then a car touch-up pen is the solution. This is used to fix deep paint damage. The small bottle with brush contains original car paint based on your color code, making it a perfect match for your vehicle’s color.
The benefits of a color-matched car touch-up pen:
- Easy to apply, even without experience.
- Ideal for deep scratches or damage down to the metal.
- Custom-made based on your color code or paint name.
Want to know where to find your car’s color code? It’s usually on a sticker in the door frame, in the manual, or under the hood.
Which method is most suitable?
| Scratch Depth | Recommended Method |
|---|---|
| Very light / surface | Hand polish |
| Somewhat deeper | Polisher + coarse polish |
| Deep down to primer | Use touch-up pen with color code |
Frequently asked questions about scratch removal
Do I need to polish the entire car?
No, you can treat just the area where the scratch is.
Can I remove scratches without a machine?
Yes, light scratches can be removed by hand using a good polish.
Is a touch-up pen suitable for metallic paint?
Yes, we supply touch-up pens that match metallic and pearlescent paints.
Get advice from our specialists
Unsure about the right method or products? Our experts are happy to help with personal advice. That way, you'll make the right choice and get the best results.
