How to Repair Car Scratches Yourself - Easy and Affordable Way

You discovered that your car has gotten minor scratches. You don’t have to freak out. You might be able to repair these car paint scratches yourself in less than an hour. To see if your scratches can be repaired by yourself run your fingernail across the scratch.

If your fingernail glides across the scratch without catching in the damage then it’s a minor scratch that will polish out. But if the scratch catches your fingernail, it’s a job for a body shop.

If the scratch qualifies for a DIY repair, pick up 3,000-grit sandpaper, rubbing and polishing compound, and polishing pads. You’ll also need a portable drill or dual action (DA) polisher unit. You can buy most of the components off-the-shelf at any auto parts store nearby or buy a complete scratch removal kit.

You may have heard about the toothpaste method for removing scratches. Toothpaste is just as abrasive as 3,000-grit sandpaper and works as a polishing compound. This only works for shallow scratches.

Tools You’ll Need

Cordless Polishing Drill

Polishing Compound Pads

Materials You’ll Need

3000-Grit Sandpaper

Car Scratch and Paint Repairing Micro Fibre Towel

Microfiber Towel

Polishing Compound

Rubbing Compound

You can purchase all these products from any auto shop or retailer. The above products are showcased from Super Cheap Auto.

To repair Car Scratches follow these steps:

1. Sand the car paint scratch.

Moist the scratch and sandpaper until the finish looks dull and the scratch is no longer obvious. Then clean the surface with a microfiber towel.

2. Apply Compound

Squirt rubbing compound onto the polishing pad and spread it around with the pad. Then run the polisher or drill at 1,200 rpm until you get a light haze.

3. Apply Scratch Removal Product

Dab a quarter-sized bead onto the scrubbing pad and apply directly to the scratch. Work the product into the scratched area, as well as the surrounding area. You’ll make use of microfiber towel, polishing compound and rubbing compound.

4. Wipe Away the Residue

With clean water and cloth, you will wipe away the residue from the scratch-removal product that is still on the affected area of the car. Wipe away any residue with a microfiber towel.

5. Repeat Two to Three Times

It is safe to do it a couple of times. You may see a slight difference in the scratch after trying it once but it hasn’t gone away completely. Give it a couple more goes and the scratch will be harder and harder to see.

6. Sand the Scratched Area

You’ll need Sandpaper, Polishing pad, Microfiber towel, Masking tape, Paper, Car wax.

Sand with 2,000-grit sandpaper until you reach your car’s metal panel. Always sand in the direction of the scratch; there is no need to make more scratches.

7. Spray Primer and then Paint onto the Sanded Area

Mask off the area with paper and masking tape to prevent spreading paint/primer to any other area. It can be difficult to find the correct paint shade, but your manufacturer’s specs will give you the code that matches your paint. Lay a heavy amount of paint onto the area and let dry.

8. Polish until the Area Matches the Rest of the Car

Make the newly-painted area match the rest of your car by polishing the spot. Lay a quarter-sized bead onto a polishing pad or microfiber towel and rub in a circular motion until all the polish is removed.

How to Repair Car Scratches Yourself – Easy and Affordable Way