How to remove scratches from a car

Whether caused by hitting a curb, a falling object, or other instances, a car scratch can ruin the aesthetic of your new car. Luckily, there are ways for drivers to repair small scratches at home. To learn more about how to remove scratches from your car, stick around and follow our how-to guide below.

Types of car scratches

Before we get into our step-by-step guide, we should mention that different types of scratches will ultimately influence the scratch repair method you use. Here's a closer look at each type of car scratch:

1. Clear coat scratches (light scratches)

Clear coat scratches, also referred to as light scratches, are one of the most common damages that can occur to your vehicle. These minor scratches are typically found on the outermost layer of your automotive paint, which is a clear coat. Luckily for you, surface scratches are easy to repair compared to deep scratches, which we'll outline in just a second.

2. Base coat car scratch

The next type of car scratch you may experience is a scratch that occurs on the base coat of your exterior paint job. These are deeper scratches that go beyond the surface layer and are often caused by heavier objects like rocks, which will require a more extensive scratch repair to fix.

3. Primer coat scratch (deep scratches)

The final type of car scratch is a deep scratch, which is the most damaging type of scratch you can experience. These deeper scratches penetrate through the clear coat, paint colour, and primer coat, exposing bare metal on your vehicle. Most of the time, these types of scratches will need to be fixed at a body shop to repair the affected area.

How can I remove scratches from my car?

Now that you have a better idea about the different types of scratches that can affect your car, let's take a closer look at how to remove scratches from your car:

Light scratches

For a light scratch, clean the area with soapy water before wiping the scratched area with a clean cloth to dry it. Next, take a scratch remover product and add a small amount to the scratch. Using a clean microfiber cloth, rub the area in a circular motion with light pressure. In time, the soft cloth will remove the light scratch completely.

Base coat scratches

With base coat scratches, clean the surface with soapy water and dry with a clean cloth. Next, take touch-up paint and paint over the scratched area. Wait for the area to dry before you gently sand over the paint correction. Because you require sanding, you'll need to use 400-grit sandpaper, moving it in circular motions to smooth out the paint and remove the rough edges.

Afterward, wipe away the dust and apply a small amount of rubbing compound with a microfiber towel to smooth everything in.

Deep scratches

While you can remove light scratches at home, deeper scratches do require professional help, given that store-bought scratch removers and DIY scratch repair methods will not work. Professionals have the right tools, colour-match paint, wax, and other products to ensure your car is properly fixed.

Beyond home remedies and DIY scratch removers, some scratches on your car are going to be too severe to fix on your own, given how deep the scratch is and where it's located. If the metal of your car frame is exposed, seek professional assistance to properly repair this type of deep scratch.

On the other hand, scratches that dig into the paint of your car can be touched up with a repair kit and a bit of turtle wax scratch repair. Surface scratches can also be fixed at home with a bit of polish.

How to remove interior scratches

When it comes to car interior scratches, there are ways you can perform a scratch repair at home as well. Similar to how you would remove a light scratch on your exterior, gently wash the area with soap and water. Then, using a clean microfiber towel and scratch remover product, rub the area until the surface has smoothed out. You can then wipe a polish over the top to seal in your car interior scratch. There're other methods for removing interior scratches. Continue reading to learn more:

Alternative methods for car scratch removal

Removing scratches from your vehicle can be a hassle, especially if you don't have the right materials or paint colour readily available to you. Luckily, there are some home remedies you can try:

1. Toothpaste: If you have a light scratch on the exterior of your vehicle, toothpaste can fix the scratched area. Remember to wash the area to remove any dirt beforehand. Then, rub in the toothpaste with a microfiber cloth. The toothpaste will act as a polish, smoothing out the surface of your clear coat.
2. Baking soda: In a bowl, combine baking soda and water to make a paste. Once you've cleaned the area on your car, use a cloth to work in the paste in a circular motion before wiping it away. Again, the paste will act almost like a polishing compound to remove the scratch. It can also be used if you have a plastic interior.
3. Nail polish: If you don't have touch-up paint, you might want to consider nail polish. Wipe the surface of your car to remove dirt. Then, take your nail polish and paint the polish onto the scratch. If the scratch is on the top coat of your car, you may be able to get away with a simple, clear coat.
4. Scratch removal kits: Home remedies not work as well as you hoped? Check online or at your local mechanics for scratch removal kits. Beforehand, check reviews and don't forget to follow the product instructions listed on the box.

Disclaimer: Before using scratch removers or home remedies on your cars, make sure to test a small area that's not easily noticeable. Additionally, when conducting any scratch repair jobs on your own, avoid using excessive pressure, as it could create more damage. When in doubt, if you're unsure how to proceed, consult with a professional.

Long-term paint protection to prevent scratches

Scratching your car every once in a while is inevitable. That said, there are ways you can repair your car often. Here are some tips you can use to prevent scratches from happening:

Wax your car regularly

Make sure you wax the surface of your car often. The wax further seals the top coat, ultimately strengthening the outer surface and protecting your paint from scratches.

Park in a secure garage

To prevent damage to your paint surface, park indoors if possible. If you need to park outside, avoid parking under or near trees, as severe weather conditions can scratch your car with flying objects and direct sunlight, which can cause your paint to fade.

Wash your car frequently

Dirt, dust, and other debris can scratch the surface of your car. Make sure you're washing your car a couple of times a year to remove this debris.

Use a microfiber cloth

When washing your vehicle or using a polishing compound, always use a microfiber cloth. These clothes are soft, which makes them perfect for cleaning and waxing the interior and exterior of your car.

Rust-proof your car

Rust-proofing your vehicle involves coating it with a specific chemical compound that prevents rust from developing. Rust develops when metal is exposed to water and oxygen for long periods. If you live in an area where the climate is very rainy and you're often travelling in water, rust-proofing your vehicle can be beneficial.

Install a protective car wrap

You could also consider wrapping your vehicle. While many car enthusiasts enjoy wrapping their cars for aesthetic purposes, the wraps themselves also act as a protective barrier that can prevent scratches from affecting your car's paint job.

Protect your vehicle on and off the road with high-quality car insurance

Beyond protecting the appearance of your vehicle, ensuring you have the right car insurance in place will give you peace of mind when you're on and off the road. All drivers in Canada require basic car insurance to legally operate a motor vehicle on public roads. Standard insurance policies that are mandatory include third-party liability, uninsured motorist, and accident benefits. While this standard coverage works for a lot of drivers, others prefer to have full coverage. Here are the different types of auto insurance you require:

Third-party liability insurance (mandatory)

Third-party liability insurance is a mandatory insurance policy for all drivers, regardless of what province or territory you reside in. However, the minimum requirements will vary. If you do bodily injuries or property damage to a third party while operating your motor vehicle, third-party liability will kick in to cover the cost of medical bills, legal fees, repairs, and other associated expenses related to your lawsuit up to your policy limits.

Accident benefits coverage (mandatory)

Accident benefits coverage is also mandatory for all Canadian motorists. If you are involved in a car accident that causes injuries to yourself, your passengers, or pedestrians, accident benefits will cover the cost of medical and rehabilitation costs and other expenses related to your recovery, regardless of who is found at fault for the collision.

Uninsured motorist insurance (mandatory)

If you are involved in a car accident with an at-fault driver who is either uninsured or underinsured, this car insurance policy will kick into place and ensure that you are fairly compensated for any damages or losses to your vehicle. This auto policy will also protect you if you are involved in a collision with a hit-and-run driver.

Collision coverage (optional)

Beyond mandatory coverage, multiple auto insurance policies are optional and intended to supplement your standard insurance plan for added protection. One of these optional policies is collision car coverage. If you are involved in an at-fault collision that causes physical damage to your vehicle, your collision insurance will cover the cost of repairs or replacements up to your coverage limits. Note that you will need to pay a deductible out of pocket before your insurance kicks in and covers the rest.

Comprehensive coverage (optional)

Another optional auto endorsement is comprehensive car coverage. With comprehensive insurance, your insurance provider will cover the cost of repairs or replacements needed if your vehicle is damaged by a non-collision event. Common perils covered by this policy include theft, vandalism, severe winds, and fallen objects. Again, you will need to pay a deductible before your insurance pays the rest.

Accident forgiveness (optional)

One final type of optional car insurance coverage popular among Canadian drivers is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy as an endorsement to protect your driving record and to help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim.

Note: coverage varies by province.

Extended warranty

When buying a new car, your vehicle will come with a manufacturer's warranty that will eventually expire. While technically not an insurance policy, an extended warranty is a type of protection vehicle owners can purchase that will cover certain parts of their vehicle if something goes wrong, such as the steering wheel, brake system, engine, electrical system, and more once your warranty expires.

Why full coverage matters

Although no insurance policy's called "full coverage," it essentially means that a driver has opted to purchase add-on coverages like comprehensive, collision, accident forgiveness, and other coverages beyond their legal requirement. Ultimately, having full coverage car insurance offers more protection and peace of mind to policyholders when on and off the road.

Full coverage insurance can come in handy for motorists, especially if you have car scratches. Let's say that during a severe storm, a tree falls onto your car, causing scratches along with other damages. Without full coverage (specifically comprehensive), you'd be responsible for covering the cost of scratch and other repairs your car may need, as standard coverage doesn't cover scratch repairs.

The same can be said for when you get into an at-fault accident. If you severely scratch your car when accidentally hitting another, without collision insurance, you'll again be responsible for covering all repair costs. This is where full coverage comes into play. Whether you scratch your car slightly or have a deep scratch, you can claim these damages with your insurance company and have them professionally repaired after paying your deductible, provided that the scratch occurred as the result of a covered peril.

Contact BrokerLink for affordable coverage

Are you due for an expired car insurance renewal soon? At BrokerLink, we understand that renewing car insurance or purchasing a policy for the first time can be a bit confusing, which is why our experienced brokers are here to help.

With years of experience and access to some of Canada's top insurance providers, our brokers can customize an insurance plan that fits your unique needs and budget. We can also help you unlock discounts and ensure you get the best deal possible! To work with a broker, feel free to visit us at one of our many locations across the country.

If we're not in your neighbourhood, give us a call over the phone to speak with a team member! Alternatively, you can get a competitive insurance quote right from the comfort of your own home using our free online quote tool.

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