If you’ve got a scratch on your car, you’re probably wondering about how you can fix it. If you know little about car repairs, knowing where to start can be tricky.
The severity of your scratch will determine the best course of action, but some scratches can be simple fixes. Here’s some helpful information to get you started.
Can I Fix It Myself?
If you feel confident enough to repair the scratch yourself, then there are some great DIY methods to try. Be aware, though, that most DIY methods are only sufficient for small, light scratches. If you’ve got more substantial scratches on your car, you’ll definitely need professional repairs.
Leave It to the Professionals
If all the above options still sound a little too intimidating, why not leave it to the professionals? Sometimes taking your car to a professional like Valley Collision can be the best option. If you’re looking for collision repair in Salt Lake City, then Valley Collision offers a range of surfaces, including scratch repair.
Taking your car to a professional can give you peace of mind. Professionals will always ensure that your scratch repair will be of the highest quality, which you cannot guarantee with DIY products.
Use a Repair Kit
Scratch repair kits are great for fixing light surface scratches. A kit will include everything you need, but don’t expect miracles if you’ve got larger scratches to repair. If you get yourself a kit, the first thing you’ll need to do is wash the area around the scratch thoroughly.
Use a hose to remove any debris before you apply any soap to avoid making any additional scratches. Then, use a car cleaning brush or cloth to apply car cleaning soap or shampoo to the area.
Once you’ve cleaned the area, you’ll need to rub a small amount of scratch removal solution onto the car before buffing it. Each repair kit will have different instructions, so be sure to read these properly before starting your repairs.
Try Using Toothpaste
Toothpaste isn’t only great for cleaning your teeth. Many people swear by toothpaste as a scratch removal solution. The reason for this is that toothpaste has abrasive properties, which help scratches become less visible. This isn’t a great solution if you’ve got a deep scratch, so you should only attempt to remove surface scratches this way.
A simple way to determine the severity of the scratch is to run your fingernail across it. If your nail catches the scratch, then toothpaste probably won’t do the job. If you decide the scratch is on the surface, you could try toothpaste. Simply wash the area as detailed above, add a small amount of toothpaste to a cloth and rub in a circular motion before rinsing it off.
Tape It
Duct tape is a magical product with a variety of uses, including fixing scratches. Although duct tape won’t technically “fix” the scratch, it can be a quick way to cover it up.
Duct tape now comes in many colors, so finding one to match your car isn’t as challenging as you’d think. Once you’ve color-matched, take the tape and apply it smoothly over the scratch, avoiding air bubbles.
Paint It
Painting is probably the best solution to fixing a scratch. Although it can be scary to paint your car yourself, if you’re careful, it isn’t too difficult. You’ll need to find the correct touch-up paint to color-match your vehicle.
Most car manufacturers offer small touch-up paint pots that correspond to your exact vehicle. Some touch-up colors come in pen form to make application even simpler. You’ll need to do some preparation before applying the paint. This usually means cleaning the area and using fine sandpaper to smooth the scratch.
