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 | Yorkshire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
2:00 AM 16th July 2022
cars
How To Remove Summer Car Scratches
Image by Pexels from Pixabay
LeaseCar.uk have put together some tips on how drivers can remove stubborn scratches quickly and easily.
The summer can be a perfect time for long drives in the country but the bright sun reflecting off a car’s bodywork often reveals scratches that weren’t previously apparent, taking the shine off a driver’s day.
Removing a car’s scratches doesn’t have to mean a trip to the car body repair shop however, there are a number of techniques that can be used at home with little expense.
Some of the tips recommended by LeaseCar.uk utilise readily available household items like toothpaste and WD40.
Other suggestions include car polish and scratch repair pens to deal with deeper scratches that are less easy to remove.
A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said:
“Many people assume it isn’t possible to remove scratches without spending a fortune taking the car to an expert repairer.
“While in some cases that may be necessary, in most instances where the scratch isn’t so deep that it goes into the primer or metal, drivers should be able to remove the scratch and the irritation that goes with it.
“If you follow a few simple set of steps using commonly available materials you can remove almost any scratch from your car.
“Light scratches on the surface of the paintwork can usually be fixed by polishing. Run your finger over the scratch and if you can’t feel it then you can polish it out.”
“Many people assume it isn’t possible to remove scratches without spending a fortune taking the car to an expert repairer.
“While in some cases that may be necessary, in most instances where the scratch isn’t so deep that it goes into the primer or metal, drivers should be able to remove the scratch and the irritation that goes with it.
“If you follow a few simple set of steps using commonly available materials you can remove almost any scratch from your car.
“Light scratches on the surface of the paintwork can usually be fixed by polishing. Run your finger over the scratch and if you can’t feel it then you can polish it out.”
For lighter scratches LeaseCar.uk recommends:
Cleaning and drying the area to make sure that the scratch is clean before applying any new material to it.
Use a fine cloth and some clear polish and begin gently buffing the scratch.
Apply the polish in several thin layers to get the best results, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
Once the scratch is removed, wipe away any excess material.
If the scratch is only in the clearcoat and hasn’t penetrated the paint, applying household toothpaste in a gentle circular motion can smooth out any small scratches. Whitening toothpaste is best for the job as it is more abrasive.
If the scratch is deeper LeaseCar.uk recommends:
Using a light abrasive pad to clean away any rough edges, then applying a cutting compound.
Work the cutting compound into the scratch with a light pressure and finish the process off by waxing and polishing the car.
If you are using any coloured products, make sure you know the exact name or code of your car’s paint to be able to get the right match.
If it looks like the cutting compound will not do the job, some deeper scratches can be fixed with a scratch repair pen.
For light scuff marks, Leasecar.uk suggests that WD40 might be the best solution. WD40 is a good alternative as it’s widely available and will be effective at removing surface-level marks from your car.
More information on scratch removal and DIY car maintenance can be found by visiting LeaseCar.uk.