How to Get Scratches Off a Brand New Car
- 1). Run your finger nail over the scratch so that your nail will catch the defect. Notice that if your nail dips in, it is a scratch. If it instead catches on a raised ridge, it is a deposit of paint, rubber or similar material. Note how deeply the scratch goes if it proves to be a scratch. Deep scratches that extend past the colored layer are hard to remove; scratches that are the same color as the car are fairly simple to remove.
- 2). Wash the affected area completely, using soapy water and drying thoroughly. Apply tar or adhesive remover, or even lacquer thinner, to remove marks left on top of the paint. Wipe with a soft cloth to remove the deposit.
- 3). Spread rubbing compound across a mark or shallow scratch. Rub the compound into the area by first using a back and forth motion, then working some into the scratch by running down the length of the defect a few times. This makes the compound fill the scratch in while sanding down the edges. Continue rubbing until the scratch or mark disappears completely; buff with a fresh, clean, soft cloth to remove the remaining compound.
- 4). Apply a polishing compound, using a fresh cloth, to remove persistent fine scratches or marks left behind from using the rubbing compound. Work in a circular motion, then change to a back and forth motion to remove swirls. Finish by waxing the car to seal the surface and increase shine.
- 5). Rub a small amount of black shoe polish into deeper scratches (unless the car is black, in which case you might try white shoe polish or even toothpaste). This will provide a visual gauge of how deeply to sand for more severe scratch repair.
- 6). Sand across the scratched area, using a piece of 2000-grit wet/dry sandpaper attached to a block. Wet the sandpaper with water as you work. Continue sanding until the shoe polish or toothpaste disappears, indicating the scratch is even with the surrounding paint.
- 7). Brush away any sanding dust, then apply rubbing compound. Work the rubbing compound into the scratch lengthwise, then rub back and forth over the scratch as before. Smooth out the edges and rub out the scratches. Continue buffing until the entire area looks like the paint is brand new. Remove excess rubbing compound with a clean, soft cloth.
- 8). Apply rubbing compound to the now smoothed area and buff. Use circular strokes and back and forth motions as needed. Finish with a good car wax to bring out the shine and protect the paint surface.
- 9). Fill very deep scratches with body compound. Mask off the scratched area, including 2 or 3 inches past the defect. Apply the compound, using a putty knife made of plastic. Try to make the application roughly level with the existing body surface. Allow the compound to dry according to product instructions -- typically 24 hours.
- 10
Sand the dried body compound and surrounding area using 2000-grit sandpaper that is damp. Attach the sandpaper to a wood block and use a back and forth motion to level the area with the neighboring surface. - 11
Apply paint to the entire area that is masked off. Select spray primer for deeper scratches that reveal bare metal, or touch-up paint for more shallow scratches. Follow primer with touch-up paint on deep scratches. Wait at least 30 minutes between coats, adding as many coats as needed according to the scratch depth and color intensity. - 12
Wait at least 24 hours before proceeding to wash your new car and follow with a good wax to seal the surface and bring out that new car shine.
Source...