5 Easy Ways To Remove Scratches From Your Car At Home

From DIY repairs to expert advice on scratch prevention and insurance coverage, learn how to keep your car's paint job flawless without expensive repair bills

Uh no! If you are here, chances are you might have gotten a nasty scratch on your car’s surface and want to just get rid of it as soon as possible. We understand  scratches on your prized possession can feel like a punch to your heart. But, don’t stress! Not every scratch repair needs a costly trip to the professionals. 

Understanding the different types of scratches and how to tackle them can make car maintenance easier and even prevent long-term damage. Some scratches can be fixed at home with simple DIY solutions, while others might require professional expertise. 

So, let's break down the types of scratches and the levels of damage they can cause.

Understanding Car Paint Layers and Different Types of Scratches

Before you tackle those scratches, it helps to know the paint layers on your car:

5 Ways To Remove Scratches From Your Car 

Before we dive into the main tips, make sure to clean the scratched area with water and gently scrub it with 3000 grit sandpaper followed by either of the two approaches given below, for a more effective repair. 

Use Rubbing Compounds

For those minor surface-level scratches on the clear coat, you can use a mild abrasive compound like Motomax or Waxpol. These compounds are gentle but effective and can make surface scratches almost disappear. Just spray water on the scratch, apply a little compound on a microfiber cloth, and rub it in circular motions. You will notice that the scratch is almost gone.

Cost: Rs 150 to Rs 400

Pro Tip: Sonu Jain, founder of Detailing Mafia, Gurugram, recommends: Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound 

Step Up with Touch-Up Paint

If the scratch goes deeper—down to the base coat or primer—you’ll need a touch-up paint. It’s a simple DIY option, but here’s a trick: you will have to make sure to match the paint colour precisely. You can find the colour code for your car on a label inside the door frame. After applying the paint, layer it with a clear coat to protect the finish and blend it with the rest of the paintwork.

Cost: Rs 250 to Rs 300

Clear Coat Scratch Repair Kits

These repair kits come with everything you need: a scratch repair compound, a clear coat sealant, and a microfiber cloth to tackle small blemishes on the clear coat. 

Cost: Rs 300 to Rs 500 

Use a Clay Bar

Here’s a lesser-known trick: clay bars. While they’re often used to remove contaminants from paint, they’re also effective for very light or clear coat scratches. If used with a lubricant, a clay bar can smooth out surface scratches, leaving your car’s paint new.

Cost: Rs 650 to Rs 850

Primer and Paint Pen Combo

For those deeper scratches that reach the primer, you will need a primer and paint pen. First, apply the primer to fill in the scratch, then follow up with the matching pen paint colour. When the paint has dried, finish it off with a clear coat for added protection and a smoother look.

Cost: Rs 250 to Rs 350

If you can see the scratch on the primer layer, it is best advised to take professional help that will require major repair work, such as sanding, repainting as well as polishing.

Cost: Rs 2000 to Rs 5000

What to Avoid?

Expert suggest not to use the ‘toothpaste method,’ which involves rubbing the car’s surface with toothpaste on a microfibre cloth. They advise avoiding the ‘heat gun method’as well, which is used to soften the car’s clear coat in an attempt to remove minor scratches. Both these methods can actually make the scratches worse.

DIY methods such as mixing vinegar and baking soda or rubbing with alcohol are also big no-nos. 

Preventive Tips to Avoid Car Scratches

As the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure.’ Adopting a few simple habits can save your car from scratches and keep it looking flawless:

Gentle Washing

It is best to clean your car using a soft microfibre mitt to avoid damaging the car’s surface when there’s a layer of dust on the car. Do not scrub heavily, as this removes the glaze and roughens the surface.

Pro Tip: Check for any brand tags on the cloth before using it, as they cause small scratches on the surface. And make sure your car is fully wet before you start washing it. Using a dry cloth on dry areas can cause scratches, so it's best to ensure the whole car is soaked.

Apply a Protective Wax Layer

Waxing gives your car a layer which acts as a shield against minor scratches. 

Sonu Jain recommends using clear protective films or paint protection film (PPF) on high-scratch areas such as the bonnet, mirrors, and edges of the door for additional protection against small scratches resulting from stones or from scraping the car while parking.

According to him, “Modern PPF also has hydrophobic properties which prevent the formation of water spots. Advanced PPF materials also have self-healing ability!”’

Install Door Edge Guards

These guards protect against any chip or scratches caused by swinging doors.

Are Car Scratches Covered by Insurance?

When it comes to car insurance, many people wonder if scratches and minor damages are covered. According to Kapil Shrivastva, Zonal Head Marketing, Shriram General Insurance, comprehensive car insurance policy does cover scratches caused by accidents but not pre-existing damages.

Pro Tip: Go for a policy with a Nil Depreciation Add-on cover to get 100 percent tof your claim amount. Without this add-on, only 50 per cent of the claim is payable since paint is considered a plastic component, and depreciation of 50 per cent is applied.

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