Whether you’re driving a new, old or second-hand vehicle, at some point, you’ll probably encounter getting scratches on your vehicle. It may be accidental or from a collision, but in most cases, it is somewhat inevitable.
Most drivers tend to panic and get frustrated as soon as they see evidence of scratch marks in their car’s paint. However, depending on the level of the damage, you may still be able to restore it to its original state if it is just a minor scratch.
Here are some steps you can follow to effectively remove scratch marks in your vehicle.
- Evaluate the damage.
Inspect the scratch carefully to determine if it is indeed a scratch. Sometimes, certain debris or contaminants can just appear like a scratch. It can be a soft coating or material that is left on the paint.
Use your fingernail and gently run it over the scratch mark to help you identify correctly. You can also use a cloth to wipe it off. If the material doesn’t come off, it may actually be a scratch.
- Determine the depth of the scratch.
Once you’ve identified that it is indeed a scratch, you need to check how deep the damage is. This will help you determine what kind of repair needs to be done on your vehicle.
Technically, your car’s layers are composed of steel, primer, color and clear coat. In case your car’s scratches only affect the clear coat, then it will be easier to remove. The deeper the scratch, the more difficult it is to remove. In some cases, you might have to bring it to a car repair shop for fixing.
- Wash your car thoroughly.
- Sand the scratch.
Use a 2000-grit sandpaper and sand the scratch lightly. Handle it gently and rub it off over the clear coat.
Follow the scratch and sand it in the same direction. Otherwise, it may create more scratches on the paint. Rinse it off with water occasionally so that you can see if it is working effectively. Use a microfiber towel to clean off the surface of any debris.
- Apply a rubbing compound to the affected area.
Use a buffer pad to spread it out. It will smoothen the area and prepare it for waxing.
Use a buffer and polish the area for at least one minute and not more than that. Buff it from side to side and downwards until the dullness of the scratch fades.
- Wax the area.