How to Remove Scratches From Your Car (2024)

Identifying the Type of Scratch

Whenever scratches occur on painted surfaces, it’s possible to repair them, and it’s best to do it right away to prevent oxidation and rust from forming. That’s especially true when the scratch is deep, but what are the different types of scratches?

• Primer scratches are the deepest kind, getting down to the primer layer of the paint, which is the first layer of protection on the metal. It usually appears different from the car’s color – dull white or grey – and it requires the most intensive repair processes.

• Base coat scratches aren’t quite as deep, but they penetrate into the colored paint layers. They’re quite visible, especially in brightly lit circ*mstances, and you can catch your fingernail on them. While they aren’t as severe as primer scratches, it takes a few steps to repair.

• Clear coat scratches only affect the outermost layer of the paint job. They’re less noticeable than deeper scratches, and the color doesn’t change but it looks dull, hazy, or swirly. These only require a minor repair, usually a single step.

Why does it matter? It’s all about finding the correct repair process. Using clear coat to repair a primer scratch might protect it from rust, but it will still be visible. Likewise, for clear coat scratches, adding base coat to repair it will build up the paint depth too much, and it’s going to look raised and out of place – sometimes worse than the scratch itself.

How to Fix a Clear Coat Scratch

A clear coat scratch is extremely superficial, only one to two mils thick, which equates to approximately two-thousandths of an inch thick. Running your fingernail over it, you likely won’t be able to feel it catch. It doesn’t permeate to a colored base coat. Repairing clear coat is usually quick and straightforward, and you’ll need:

• Polishing compound

• Applicator pad

• Superfine sandpaper

• Spray bottle with water

• Rubbing alcohol

Steps to Fix Clear Coat Scratches

• Step 1: Clean the area. Wipe the scratch down with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely.

• Step 2: Sand the area if needed. Lightly wet sand the damaged clear coat with superfine sandpaper if you can feel the scratch with your nail. Keep the areas wet to avoid removing too much material or clogging your sandpaper. If you can’t feel it, sanding often isn’t necessary.

• Step 3: Polish the spot. Use a polishing compound to restore the finish. Rub the compound onto the affected area until the scratches are no longer visible. Seal it with a coat of wax after.

How to Fix a Base Coat Scratch

Base coat scratches are deeper, typically two to three times as deep as clear coat scratches. That’s why you can feel them more pronounced than in the clear coat only. It’s where multi-stage repairs become necessary. You’ll need materials to fix clear coat plus:

• A color-matched touch up paint pen

• Fine sandpaper

Steps to Fix Base Coat Scratches

• Step 1: Scour the scratch. Use your fine sandpaper to gently remove any loose material inside the scratch, plus remove any rust or corrosion that’s present.

• Step 2: Add touch up paint. Apply a thin layer of paint from your touch up paint pen to the scratch along its length. Allow it to dry completely. Re-apply if you can see the metal through the touchup paint.

• Step 3: Sand the base coat. With superfine sandpaper, smooth out any imperfections in the touched-up area.

Finish the repair with the same process as repairing clear coat scratches.

How to Fix a Primer Coat Scratch

For the deepest scratches where you can see bare metal or dull primer, the repair is the most in-depth. It adds the stage of the repair that’s most important, which is rust prevention. These scratches are through the full thickness of the paint and clear coat, and you’ll be able to see a color difference. Along with the previous materials, you’ll need:

• Primer spray

• Masking tape and paper

Steps to Fix Primer-Depth Scratches

• Step 1: Sand the scratch. Remove any loose paint chips as well as corrosion or discoloration that you see using 600-grit sandpaper.

• Step 2: Mask off the repair area. Mask any surrounding areas you don’t want to get primer on. Expose only a tiny working area.

• Step 3: Spray the scratch with primer paint. A quick shot of aerosol primer is all it takes. Let it cure before continuing.

• Step 4: Sand the primer. Remove any excess primer from around the scratch using superfine sandpaper.

You’re ready to use the previous steps for repairing base coat and clear coat.

How to Avoid Scratching Your Car

Preventing scratches is always preferred to having a time-consuming repair to perform. Ways to help avoid the need for polishing out car scratches include:

• Apply fresh wax regularly, which acts as an additional barrier between objects and the paint

• Park in a garage

• Avoid parking under or next to trees

• Wash your car regularly

• Use microfiber cloths when you’re cleaning your car

• Use a car cover

• Wash your car using the two-bucket method

• Avoid automated car washes

If you find yourself with a scratch to fix, AutoZone is here to help. We’ll help you find the best scratch remover tools and materials, and offer helpful advice on getting the job done right.

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