Removing Car Scratches: How to Repair Paint Damage on Your Car

Scratches on your car can be very annoying, but fortunately, you can repair a lot of paint damage yourself. Whether it’s minor scratches or deeper ones, with the right products and techniques, you can restore your car to top condition. In this article, we explain how to remove scratches from your car yourself and when it’s wise to seek professional help.

How to determine if you can remove a scratch yourself

Not every scratch can be easily polished out. Deep scratches can only be fully repaired through sanding, polishing, spraying, and repainting. Use these two simple tests to determine if you can remove the scratch yourself:

1. The fingernail test: run your fingernail along the scratch. Does your nail catch in the scratch? Then the scratch is too deep and cannot be completely removed by polishing alone. If your nail glides over it without catching, there’s a good chance you can remove the scratch yourself.
   
   
2. The water test: wet the scratch with a little water. Does the scratch temporarily disappear? If so, it’s superficial and can be polished out with a scratch remover.

If the scratch fails either of these tests, it’s best to take your car to a body shop for sanding and repainting.

Manual or machine polishing

There are two ways to remove scratches from your car: manual polishing or machine polishing.

• Manual polishing: apply a polishing compound with a microfibre cloth or hand polishing pad. This method is ideal for small scratches and light paint damage.
  
  
• Machine polishing: using a polishing machine with the right pads allows you to achieve optimal results faster and more easily. This method is more effective for deeper scratches and stubborn paint damage.

The best products for scratch removal

For removing scratches, you can choose between consumer products and professional products:

• Consumer products: easy to use and usually applied manually. Example: Farécla G3 Pro Scratch Remover.
  
  
• Professional polishing compounds: for faster and more durable results, use a professional polishing compound with a polishing machine. Example: Farécla G3 Premium Abrasive.

Step-by-step guide: removing scratches yourself 

Follow these steps to effectively remove scratches:

• Clean the paint thoroughly with car shampoo to remove dirt and prevent new scratches.
• Use a clay mitt to remove any remaining dirt particles.
• Apply the polishing compound to a microfibre cloth or polishing pad and rub in circular motions over the scratch.
• Polish the surface until the scratch fades and the surface shines evenly. Protect the surface with wax or paint sealant.

More information on scratch removal

As you’ve seen, it’s not difficult to remove a superficial car scratch yourself. With the right products, you can restore paint damage effectively. At Polyestershoppen, you’ll find a complete range of polishing and finishing products for professional results. Have questions? Feel free to contact our specialists — we’re happy to help!

Frequently asked questions