DIY Auto Body Repair: Removing Car Scratches

We’ve all been there before, right? You’ve just brought home your new car (or, as I affectionately call it, my “baby”), and oops! You accidentally hit the metal trash can, or your dog’s collar dragged across the car’s surface, or some unintended accident occurred. What was only moments ago a brand new car now has a giant scratch down it’s body.

There’s no need to fear, however, as this is damage that you can easily fix yourself. In fact, there are multiple ways that you can go about hiding the scratch. So instead of rushing down to your local auto repair shops and dropping a boatload of cash, read the tips below. You’ll save yourself plenty of money, time, and stress…

Option One: Scrub, Scrub, Scrub

This is certainly the less physically taxing of the two options, as you’re essentially adding compounds to mask your car’s wound.

You’ll want to start by washing the area surrounding the scratch, using a lint-free (preferably soft) cloth, soap and water. When you’re finished, you’ll want to assure that the area is dry before moving on. Why go through this monotonous task? Dirt in the scratch could damage your car even more.

Next, you’ll want to apply some rubbing compound to the scratch area. After a couple of coats of the liquid, you should start to see the scratch fade. The rubbing compound will smooth your car’s surface, allowing the scratch to blend in with your body. This doesn’t solve the white, paint-less streak, however.

You’ll solve that issue with a mark concealer, like 3M’s Swirl Mark Remover. The polish will finish off the job, and it’ll make your car look good as new!

Option Two: More Labor

Of course, some of the compounds above aren’t guaranteed to always work. If you want the job done on your first attempt, go with the more laborious task of sanding and buffering.

The process will start much the same way, as you’ll want to cover the scratched area with polish. This essentially has the same function as cleaning the spot, as the polish will prevent the scratch from getting worse. You’ll next want to sand the area, scrubbing the sander against the area until the polish is no longer visible.

Now comes the fun part. While the previous method suggested messaging in the rubbing compound, we’re going to suggest using a polishing wheel this time around. Keeping the remaining polish in the same area, you’ll want to buffer the area and make it clean and shiny.

Finally, rub over the area with a soft cloth, assuring that all the junk is off the area. Hopefully the previously scratched area is now damage-free!

Easy, right? Repairing a scratch really takes minimal time or effort. Of course, there are some scratches that can’t be hidden as easily, and in those cases it may be best to visit your local mechanic or dealership. If you’re in the Albany area, head down to DePaula Service. They’ll get your car looking good as new in no time.