How To Remove Scratches From A Car

There is nothing worse than noticing a scratch on your car, but unfortunately, it is an unavoidable part of being a driver. Whether you have dragged your shopping bags across the paintwork by accident or have had the all-too-common incident in the car park, there are many causes of these frustrating scratches. However, many options exist for restoring your paintwork and getting your motor to look as good as new. Having specialised in car body repairs in Milton Keynes for many years, we have compiled a guide on how to remove scratches from a car, filled with handy tips and tricks.

How To Remove Scratches From A Car: A Complete Guide

Car scratches are incredibly common, and in most cases, they can be rectified from home. To determine whether DIY methods will do the trick, it is important to understand the severity of the scratches and how deep they actually are; this can easily be done by running your fingernail across the surface. If the scratches are deep into the body, you would benefit from seeking help from our professionals. However, we will take a closer look at when to visit a car body specialist later in our guide!

For those with lighter scratches, it will be possible to complete repairs yourself using our tips. To help you find the information you are looking for, our experienced technicians have broken our guide into the following sections to answer the question, “What can I use to remove scratches from my car?”

• How To Remove Deep Scratches From A Car
• How To Remove Door Handle Scratches
• How To Remove Scratches From A Plastic Car Interior
• How To Remove Scratches From A Car Windscreen
• When To Choose Professional Scratch Repairs
• How Does Professional Car Scratch Removal Work?

How To Remove Deep Scratches From A Car

If you have noticed a deep scratch on your paintwork, rectifying the issue as soon as possible will be essential. Why? Because scratches deep into the paintwork leave the metal body of your car exposed. This heightens the likelihood of rust which can quickly spread through your vehicle, causing more significant and costly problems.

Although the recommendation would always be to visit a professional repair centre, we recognise that this may not always be convenient and not all drivers can cover the repair cost unexpectedly. So, using our experience in crash repairs in Milton Keynes, we have put together steps on how to remove deep scratches from car paintwork at home. This can be used to prevent further damage while you wait to visit a technician.

• Start by washing the area that you will be working on and then leave it to dry fully.
• Pour some car polish onto a buffing pad and then start to work the product into the scratch using circular motions. Wipe away the polish using a microfibre cloth.
• To fill any deep gouges, you will need to first use rubbing alcohol to clean any dirt or product from the surface. Fill any areas where you can see the bare metal with glazing putty; this can be done using a spreader tool.
• Allow the putty to harden fully, and then remove any excess using a liquid paint leveller before wiping down the surface with a microfibre cloth.
• To cover the putty, apply a thin layer of touch up paint, then allow it to dry for up to 12 hours. A second layer can be applied if necessary.
• Finally, apply a clear coat over the repairs to seal the paint, allow it to dry and then use wet grit sandpaper to gently remove any ridges around the topcoat.

How To Remove Door Handle Scratches

By far, one of the most common areas where scratches accumulate is around and behind the door handle. These are typically caused by wearing rings that scratch against the paintwork when opening the door or grabbing the handle while holding your keys. Luckily, as in most cases, door handle scratches are just small, surface-level damage, they are straightforward to remove.

If you are looking for ideas on how to remove door handle scratches, then the best route is to use products that have been specifically designed for simple, quick scratch repairs. Autoglym and T-Cut remain the best at-home paintwork repair brands, both offering different product choices depending on the nature of your handle scratches. Below, we have put together some of our favourite products from each brand.

Best Scratch Repair Products From Autoglym:

• Autoglym Paint Renovator – This is ideal for restoring paintwork damage, such as scratches, with minimal effort or technique required. When using this product, apply it to the damaged area after thoroughly cleaning and drying it. For the best results, you should apply the renovator using strokes parallel to the scratches and increase the pressure depending on the severity of each scratch.
• Autoglym Super Resin Polish – When scratches begin to appear on the inside of your door handle, the car can instantly look dull and uncared for. However, it is easy to give your vehicle a new lease of life with the super resin polish, which will make the exterior of the car shine and remove scratches. This polish works best by applying thin layers in overlapping circles to create even coverage. To maintain your car’s shine, repeat this process every few months.
• Autoglym Scratch Removal Complete Kit – In addition to their super resin polish, the complete kit includes a scratch remover, hi-tech finishing cloth and a scratch removal applicator. When using this product, you must first apply two pea-sized amounts of scratch remover to the white side of the applicator provided. Apply the remover to the damaged area in multiple directions to ensure the surface is covered. You should then apply more product if necessary, and once the scratches have disappeared, wipe away any residue with a clean cloth.

Best Scratch Repair Products From T-Cut:

• Color Fast Scratch Remover – This will effortlessly remove scuffs and scratches with a flawless colour-matched finish. Available in original, black, white, silver, red, blue and green, this product will blend in with your car’s paintwork to remove your door handle scratches completely and give long-lasting results.
• Magic Pen – The magic pen is a fast and simple way to minimise the appearance of scratches on your door handle. Its clear formula makes it a suitable scratch remover for all paint colours, and its fine tip is ideal for conducting accurate repairs. The magic pen is one of the most affordable scratch repair options and can be used anywhere on your car’s exterior, not just the door handles.

How To Remove Scratches From A Plastic Car Interior

Your car’s interior is like your own personal sanctuary on wheels – it’s where you spend large amounts of your time commuting, jamming to your favourite tunes, and just enjoying the ride. So, when you get those little blemishes on the plastic surfaces, it can be detrimental to your driving experience. But hey, scratches happen, and the good news is that you don’t have to live with them forever! In fact, you can easily say goodbye to those pesky plastic scratches with just a bit of DIY magic.

In this section, we’re going to take you through some super-easy methods to remove those scratches from your car’s interior. From everyday household items to nifty products, we’ve got you covered – here are our top tips:

Heat & Melting

If your interior scratches are minor, one of the most efficient ways to mend them is by using heat to melt the plastic slightly and blending the scratch with the surrounding area. This might sound complicated, but we promise it’s easier than it seems! Simply use a hairdryer or heat gun on a low heat, keeping it a few inches from the surface. Move it back and forth over the scratch until the plastic starts to soften, then, use a microfiber cloth to gently rub the area, blending the scratch with the rest of the surface.

Baking Soda

Another multifunctional household item that can assist you in getting scratches off the interior of your car is the legendary baking soda (what can’t it do!). If you didn’t know, baking soda mixed with water can also act as a gentle abrasive. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water until it forms a thick consistency before applying the paste to the scratch and gently rubbing it in a circular motion using a clean, damp cloth. Wipe off the paste with a clean cloth and check the scratch. You may need to repeat this process if needed.

Plastic Polish

If your scratch is too stubborn and all else fails, you can always turn to some trusted plastic polish. You can usually find specific plastic polish products designed to remove scratches and restore the appearance of plastic surfaces in any hardware store. Follow the instructions on the product and apply it to the scratched area to reveal a fresh, scratch-free interior.

How To Remove Scratches From A Car Windscreen

Picture this: you’re cruising down the road, enjoying the breeze, and just trying to take in the stunning country view, but all you can notice are those annoying scratches on your windscreen. Talk about a buzzkill! But fear not because there are solutions to bring back that crystal-clear view (that will save you the costly task of replacing your windscreen). The secret weapon? Windscreen scratch repair kits!

Whether your scratches are from a stone chip on the motorway or a rogue tree branch, these handy repair kits are like magic wands, specially designed to make those pesky scratches vanish into thin air. They usually come with everything you need, from special solutions to useful applicators and easy-to-follow instructions, making the whole process a breeze. There’s a wide range of options available, but we’ve got a favourite among the bunch – the Glass Polish Shop’s kit! But while we can’t deny our love for it, there are many other reputable and effective brands out there, too, so don’t be afraid to explore your options and find the perfect kit for your needs.

Trust us, with these kits in hand, you’ll be back to enjoying the open road with a spotless windscreen in no time. By following the simple steps outlined in the instructions, or in a video like this one from Glass Polish Shop, you’ll be able to minimise the appearance of scratches and give your windscreen a new lease on life.

When To Choose Professional Scratch Repairs

Whether you are able to complete DIY repairs or you need to book with a professional technician will depend on how deep the scratch is. In some cases, such as if you have been involved in an accident, the answer will be simple, as severe body damage is far more complex to repair. However, if it is a scratch caused by keys, bags or car park incidents, there may not always be a clear answer.

To determine the depth of your scratch, we recommend running your fingernail over it. If the damage does not seem to run any deeper than the thickness of a piece of paper, then it is likely that only the upper clear coat has been damaged. The paintwork on a vehicle typically consists of three layers: the primer, which is applied to the metal, the paint colour and the clear coat. If the damage has only worked its way through the clear coat and paint, then you will be able to repair the scratch itself, but if the primer has also been scraped away, it is recommended to get in touch with our team. We have many years of experience in vandal key scratch repairs in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas, so we can assist if your car has sustained a deep scratch.

How Does Professional Car Scratch Removal Work?

If the scratch on your car is too deep to be fixed at home, you may be wondering how a repair centre like ours will fix it. While we don’t want to give away the tricks of the trade, here’s a brief outline of how we’d typically approach car scratch removal:

• Assessment: We’ll begin by determining whether the scratch is surface-level, extends to the base of the coat, or has reached the primer or metal. We’ll inspect the depth and length to determine the most appropriate repair method.
• Preparation: The scratched area will be cleaned, and nearby parts of the car will be taped off to avoid accidental damage.
• Repair: We’ll fill deeper scratches with colour-matched touch-up paint. Once the paint dries, we’ll sand the area lightly to blend the repair with the existing paint. A protective clear coat is then applied over the repair and polished.
• Inspection: We’ll complete a final inspection to ensure the scratch is no longer visible and the repair blends seamlessly.

Making Your Car Look As Good As New

Scratches on your car paintwork are often inevitable, which is why it is always beneficial to familiarise yourself with how to complete DIY repairs and when you should visit a professional. As with any other vehicle repairs, if you are unsure of the severity of your damage, it is always recommended to speak with a trained technician who can advise you on the best route. Our team are always more than happy to help, and you are welcome to request a quote online by submitting your information with photos of your scratches. From here, we will be able to let you know the most effective route to prevent any further damage.