The thought of having dents or scratches in your car is probably terrifying for some, but unfortunately, it happens more often than we’d like. The scratches aren’t only aesthetically displeasing, as they can lead to the formation of rust in some cases.
In other words, it’s important that you take care of scratches quickly. Going to the garage or repair shop can be quite costly, but here are eight great do-it-yourself tips using household supplies you can try out first.
If the scratches have made its way to the metal layer instead of the paint layer of the car, it’s advisable to let a professional handle it. But if they’re just a few minor scratches, it certainly can’t hurt to give these a quick try.
1) Toothpaste
Toothpaste just seems to a miraculous substance, as its abrasive characteristic can help out with a lot of household tasks. Toothpaste with silicone will polish the paint surface and can help reduce the visibility of the scratches. It’s best to use a toothpaste with whitening properties for the best results.
2) Shoe polish
Who knew shoe polish would be a great method to eliminate scratches? Granted, this will only work best with darker cars, but it’s a great tip worth mentioning nonetheless. It’s recommended that you pick a polish that’s just a tad darker than the current paint color. Wash the car, get some shoe polish on there and you’ll be able to notice the scratch fading away.
3) Nail polish
Speaking of polish, there’s another type of polish that can definitely do wonders! Because you can find nail polish in every color you can possibly imagine, there will definitely be one out there that matches your car’s color. The color of nail polish when it’s completely dried can look a bit different compared to when it’s still in the bottle, so give it a quick test first before you apply it to your car.
4) WD40
A can of WD40 won’t be able to get rid of severe scratches altogether but does a pretty good at hiding them. Spray a bit of WD40 after you wash your car, and rinse with a clean and dry microfiber cloth.
5) Candle wax
Somewhat surprisingly, candle wax is another great method to remove some of the lighter scratches. It doesn’t actually remove the scratches, but only covers them up. Nonetheless, it’s a great method to polish a damaged area on your car, although this one is less suited as a long-term solution.
6) A decent car scratch removal pen
Now, it’s important to note that many of these scratch removal pens don’t work as advertised and they’re highly controversial to say to say the least. Some pens can even make the scratches worse, but if you do a bit of research and pick out a well-reviewed car scratch removal pen, this might just do the trick. According to Consumer Reports, the Quixxx High-Performance Scratch Remover is a good choice, although you’ll need a few extra minutes to clean the scratches and apply a polishing compound.
7) A paint touch-up kit
One of the best and most effective methods on the list is also used by repair shops and other professionals. A paint touch-up kit does require a bit of effort and time, but it is by far the ideal method. This requires multiple layers of paint which will have to dry, but the end result is ultimately worth it. You can find a detailed tutorial on the process over here.
8) Super Glue
Super glue has the fantastic ability to smooth itself out, which means it can nest into a scratch and reduce its visibility in just seconds. Be careful not to apply too much super glue, because it can be a pain to remove.
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